Thames Walk - Grays to Rainham (Booking Required)

This is a linear walk that follows the Thames Path (Heading West) from Grays to Rainham

The first half of the walk takes us along the 'infamous' graffiti wall, passing underneath the QE2 Bridge at the Dartford Crossing. This part of the walk is very much 'industrial' as the path threads its way between the Thames and huge chemical, concrete and oil storage depots. If possible (as there may be some minor clambering involved) we will visit the twelfth-century St Clements Church, which was used as a location in the classic 1994 film, Four Weddings and a Funeral (for the Funeral Scene).

We will break for lunch at Purfleet Centre Park / RSPB Visitor centre (Rainham Marshes), where you can either picnic, or make use of the cafe at the Visitor centre, which also contains a gift shop and toilets (and tremendous views across the marshes).

The second half of the route is much more serene as we continue along the Thames from Purfleet, passing by the RSPB Rainham Marshes and around Coldharbour. Towards the end of the walk we will also visit Rainham Marsh Concrete Barges, left abandoned at Coldharbour Point as flood defences in 1953 and have formed part of the coastline ever since. They were used primarily in the Second World War and were particularly important during the D-Day Normandy landings, where they were used as part of the Mulberry harbour defences, with uses such as fuel and munitions transportation, blockships, and floating pontoons.

 From there we head north away from the Thames, across the Rainham Marshes and to the end of the walk at Rainham Station.

There are direct trains (every 30mins) back to Grays, where there will be a pub option for anyone wishing to rehydrate before heading home.