Across Rainham Marshes along the Thames to Purfleet

A walk across Rainham Marshes from Rainham Station past the Concrete Barges used in the D Day Landings at Normandy. Then along the Thames round Coldharbour Point and Aveley Bay to RSPB Purfleet on the site of a miltary firing range.
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[@gerretlorenzen5239]

Just down the road from Aveley, where I live. 12 years ago, I was out of work, and did a weekly walk at RSPB Rainham. It kept me sane, and you really realise how different the marsh landscape is week on week.

[@paularnold4440]

Don't know if anyone has commented about the concrete barges but I worked in a metal producing factory in Ferry Lane Rainham. 40 odd years ago there was an old boy who lived on the nearest one to the shore. Often wondered what his quarters were like. He appeared to be living a hard life. Also where my factory was (now demolished) there used to be a pub which used to be a destination for day trippers. Quite crowded in some old photos I have seen. People dressed up in their Sunday Best Thanks for sharing your walks. Its change my outlook when I am walking albeit different scenery in West Norfolk

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing that Paul - really valuable to record details like these. Enjoy your Norfolk walks

[@g.c6075]

I too worked at Murex, the green glassy stuff is indeed slag but from molybdenum not iron or steel, the factory closed down in 1993

[@paularnold4440]

@@g.c6075 worked in tungsten building (15?) Really dirty job but good group of workmates

[@helenjoyce8622]

About 25 years ago, I was sketching the concrete lighters and an elderly man stopped and told me a story about a chap named Smiley who bought the barges. Apparently, he had planned to take them upriver to get them dismantled. He had put his life savings into it, presumably there was some kind of profit expected. The barges got stuck in the mud at Rainham and could not be moved. Smiley never quite recovered from this. He ended up living on the barges until, one day, he slipped and eventually died from his injuries. As an aside, Smiley kept cats on the barges. They were large, sometimes mistaken for 'big cats'. Their diet was, according to the man I spoke to, 100% rat. I don't know if what the man told me was true or not, but I have seen some very well fed cats in Rainham.

[@terryvialls6512]

Hi John , I grew up in Rainham village The marshes was our playground weekends and school holidays The concrete barges was where we fished and so was the adjacent pier I will always be thankful I had that playground It had the MOD ranges in the early 1970’s And when the red flag was down we would climb up and sift through the sand and collect the bullits to swap Wonderful memories Such lovely film many thanks

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Great memories thanks for sharing Terry

[@antonybrown4231]

Very interesting to see another take on a spot I walk or cycle around regularly. I always think of Dracula at the Purfleet end as that’s where the count had his London base, Carfax. When I first lived in the area I searched for the Three Crowns as I thought it was an old pub, alas it is a reference to those old barges.

[@biddylisduff]

The Three Crowns was a pub on the river side at Rainham, where the Ferry used to stop. Ferry Lane takes it's name from the old crossing point on the Thames. Check out Havering Libraries archive on Facebook for local history! :)

[@swatchways]

Just for info there is a small inlet by the RSPB Centre which was for unloading gunpowder to be stored in a warehouse near by as it was deemed dangerous to store it in the Tower of London any longer

[@paulr7496]

An unconventionally beautiful and reflective open space. Must have a wildcamp there one weekday next summer. Thanks for taking us along.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Paul - yes a wildcamp would be great, be really interesting to watch the river traffic at night

[@davidfarrell7373]

Fantastic John. Soothing, hypnotic, sane.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks David, certainly really peaceful out there

[@richardpearce4988]

Hey John, finally did this today - got rained on which is entirely appropriate :) Grew up Thames Estuary (Sittingbourne/Sheerness side) so interesting to see this angle and see the genuine attractiveness of it. Also - like you should tick off - is part 24 of the LOOP!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Richard - ah yes hadn’t realised this was section 24 - so in reality I’ve done all the sections north of the river now

[@colinkey7094]

Beautiful video John; the picture quality is excellent, as is your voice-over, and this is one of very few KZbin videos which have not been spoiled by an intrusive, head-banging sound track. I am a "birder" (birdwatcher) living in Blackheath and often visit the RSPB reserve. My first visit was many years ago especially to see Water Pipits and Short-eared Owls near the Stone Barges and the Tilda rice factory, long before the nature reserve was established. I recall the scene of thousands of shipping containers piled five high, breakers yards with continuous bonfires, and heavy machinery at the landfill site. It was like Armageddon. How things have changed.

[@motorheadmalc]

I liked it already, and I've not even seen it yet. I went to RSPB Purfleet with my dad a few years ago and we loved it. I'd often seen it derelict back in the 80s when I was on the railways and we'd work 3,000 ton Freightliner trains to Willesden from Tilbury. My great Granddad on my dad's side was a seafarer born in Grays.

[@Christ_Is_King34]

Thank you for another informative and entertaining video, i had no idea those concrete barges were even there! A slightly spooky but beautiful spot. You've reminded me of how many beautiful places there are to go for walks in my local area. You get so used to looking at grey all the time you forget about all this wonderful greenery just a stones throw from your front door. I'll have to take the little one to the RSPB center once she's big enough to appreciate it. Keep up the amazing work. You are a star.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Sypher for the lovely comment. These pockets of open space are all around us, so therapeutic to get out there. The RSPB place is perfect for kids, there's also a nice looking playground there as well

[@wilko330]

Nicely done John, it brought back memories of my childhood growing up in Rainham in the 50s 60s, the marshes and river were my playground and by the way there was a firing range down ferry lane in Rainham back then.

[@MegaGary1960]

great video the strange rocks come in black a greeny colour and bluish grey colour they are slag waste from industry iron steel and glass. Fords had its own foundry and where the concrete barges are stands the tilda rice factory before it was a huge iron works called murex gone now but still today leaving its mark on the thames shoreline

[@JohnRogersWalks]

brilliant thanks Gary

[@ashembers8414]

Hi John. I had no idea that the Thames was so accessible along that part of the river. Its quite amazing you can be so close to London but be so alone in a forgotten landscape. There's another fantastic public building a little further down the river at Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve. If I could post a picture I would as its worth so checking out for its imaginative architecture.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hi Ash, yes it's great that they've opened it up, I think it's opened up more in the last 10 years. I'll take a look at the Thurrock Nature Reserve, thanks for the tip

[@ellislorison5533]

Thanks John for expressing the need to do these videos.I wish I'd opened my eyes to the full potential of London before I decided to decamp for the north five years ago: a very very rash move :-( Really experiencing the grimness of it all right now and your peregrinations are cheering me up no end. Not sure whether I can afford to move back to my hometown now;but watching these has certainly reminded me of that part of my DNA is that of London. Definitely throwing some southern light on my northern gloom. As for future walks,have you thought of a Thames walk around Teddington in Middlesex? I used to have a boat moored on one of the strange little islands and eyots dotted around up there. Trowlock Island is a curio if ever there was one! Plus you have Richmond and Twickenham up there: you could do a loop from Twickenham to Kingston and back via Wimbledon and Richmond Park. Just a thought!

[@zaydjulian4539]

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[@jayalvin4]

@Zayd Julian Instablaster =)

[@zaydjulian4539]

@Jay Alvin Thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@zaydjulian4539]

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[@jayalvin4]

@Zayd Julian no problem :D

[@amac4841]

Nice Video. I live in leytonstone and work in Rainham just next to the concrete barges. I cycle or walk across the marsh and it's always the best part of my working day. The path you walked at the start of the video is only a few years old.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+A Mac that must be one of the best commutes in London A Mac

[@michaelvandromme]

Thanks John, I often cycle from my home in Atherton road to there. Very peaceful area. I can thoroughly recommend walking from North Woolwich taking the ferry heading west along the the Thames path - past Greenwich and the sand and cement works to south bank ! Awesome structures there. A real experience to be had.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that sounds good - bizarrely I've only traveled on the ferry either across to Woolwich (both ways) or West from Docklands. I've walked past the cement works but would be great to see them from the Thames.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that sounds good Michael - bizarrely I've only traveled on the ferry either across to Woolwich (both ways) or West from Docklands. I've walked past the cement works but would be great to see them from the Thames.

[@rockypupoxo]

Another brilliant video , i lived in Aveley for 50 years just up the road from Rainham and Purfleet , the rifle range was used by the MOD and apparently the marshes were used by the army for training in the run up to the Falklands war as the environment was similar to what the army was going to come across in south Atlantic .

[@janetfoad4788]

Nice video - I worked on several construction jobs out there about 20 years ago on the landfill and the RSPB sites so it brings back a few memories. The story I was told about the turquoise "rocks" is that it is slag from making armour plating for WWI tanks, that apparently they did on a site out there. Although not the glassy stuff, some of it is radioactive although not remotely at dangerous levels - they had it tested.

[@normathomas8276]

Really look forward to your walks John like a balm to the soul can see why there are some places you really want to go back to west Wales has me thinking that way x

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks so much Norma, they're certainly a balm to my soul so it's great to hear you feel that way. Yes, West Wales has something magical about it for sure

[@borderlands6606]

Beautiful light out on the marshes. My mother was born in Erith.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It was the perfect day. Did your mother share any memories of Erith, I bet it's changed an awful lot since then?

[@borderlands6606]

She left as an infant and never returned to London in the remaining 80 years of her life.

[@mozdickson]

Regarding navigating the Thames, I highly reccomend the doco of Timothy Spall and his lovely wife Shane piloting their barge home, Matilda, around the UK, including crossing the Thames estuary. Shane's book of the trip is also brilliant - great work for all who love 'slow and thoughtful' travel and everyday beauty, like our lad John Rogers... "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. ... O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." Psalm 84

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I saw the episode where they went round North Wales and it was brilliant, will have to check out the remainder of the series and the book. Many thanks for the tip

[@rosswebster7500]

Wonderful video and landscape as always John. I've always had a fondness for estuaries and inter zones between fresh water and the sea. Just a few months ago I was in Astoria Oregon at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean which is also a notorious ship's graveyard(shifting sand bars etc.) the wonderful Columbia River Maritime Museum tells a great story of River navigators who personally aid commerce ships from all over the world navigate the treacherous waters. I'm surprised to hear that the Thames is so difficult to navigate.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Ross Webster thanks so much Ross. I would love to visit the Oregon region someday. Yes, I was surprised too about the Thames, I think it's to do with the sandbanks/mud banks and strength of the tides

[@user-cm7kt9xp8k]

At Coldharbour Point large new buildings are being constructed. There is a footpath where the landfill site was a footpath to the top and around has been made. Between the RSPB Visitors Centre and Purfleet as you walk along the Thames there is an interesting Heritage and Military Museum. So much to see and well worth a visit. Purfleet has coonections with the story of Dracular ( visit the church). If you walk to Grays on route you will see the church where 4 Weddings and a Funeral was filmed and Grays dock/port area.

[@amhzmr-london]

Thank you for another informative video, wonderful to see and learn much of the area, so much to see and explore..lots of wild marsh area, great for wild birds and insects

[@jenuptoallsorts832]

Hi John, Just want to say I really enjoyed this video as I live in Purfleet and really enjoy going to the river. I have subscribed as I'm intrigued to see other places you've been or still going. I came across your video looking for Purfleet history. Many thanks Jen

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks Jen - hope you enjoy the other videos on the channel, there's a new one coming in a couple of days

[@lesliegprice6652]

Great Expectations !!!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Leslie- I remember that walk very fondly

[@helenjoyce8622]

Also, the opening chapter of Conrad's Heart of Darkness is, I'm sure, set somewhere near there.

[@gribblelady6972]

Thank you for taking us along with you on another really interesting and enjoyable walk :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks for watching Gribble Girl

[@tomwright4969]

Fantastic video. It's a shame I didn't venture this far into the marshes. That statue in the Thames is called the diver by John Kauffman, really quirky and underrated structure id say.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Tom - and also for the info about the statue, I'll have to go back at low tide

[@redfordgrange3507]

I throughly enjoyed this. Thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Redford

[@fyfesandy3491]

I followed this walk in Spring, and there were a lot of weasels coming out of the long grass and crossing the path. I think they are probably used to walkers throwing them titbits. There's also the remains fo anit-aircraft defences from WW1 - for defending London from Zeppilins there. A fascinating landscape, that takes you away from roads.

[@petergml]

Brings back memories John, though when I walked this way last a dozen or more years ago there was a still a barbed wire fence at Coldharbour Point and I had to detour to go to Purfleet. The walk on from Purfleet to Grays was one of my favourites - though I did it on a Brompton the last time I was there - and got a puncture too large to mend.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That sounds interesting Peter, remains of the fences were still there at Aveley Bay and I was wondering what it was like back when it was MOD land. Will have to walk that section from Purfleet to Grays now

[@petergml]

Look forward to seeing your view. I went up to the end of the path approaching TIlbury. A few pictures on My London Diary, and I think there were a few in the set of panoramas in the Mus of London 'Estuary' show in 2013, though I think it was 2005 I last went there. A couple among those at re-photo.co.uk/?p=2970 and one at re-photo.co.uk/?p=2224 but most I've published have been along the other bank.

[@CthulhuInc]

this has me thinking of that munitions ship that lies somewhere along the thames - packed full of fiendish unexploded thingies - a real danger - so much so, that it is just left alone, hoping that time will defuse everything, but i can't quite recall where it is without a web-search

[@chid76]

Great walk John, very peaceful. You seem to be able to undo some of the mental stress and tension caused by modern life with your slower paced meandering, a great antidote to Christmas adverts and the like :) Thank you. I was actually stuck in that traffic on the A13 on Friday morning, 3.5 hours to drive from Leyton to Grays and back :(

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much chid76 - the walks certainly undo some of the stresses of modern life for me so it gives me great pleasure to share some of that. Sorry to hear about your travails on the A13, hope everyone recovers

[@sardonicus6708]

Another beautiful piece!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Jack

[@mikenewman8084]

Beautiful video John - I love that walk across the marshes. Of course the other celebrated, and perhaps rather grim use for the marshes was for those who wanted to 'lose' something - or somebody. I loved the walks I've had in the area so much that when I had to dispose of an unwanted key to my dad's flat after her died, I couldn't think of a better place to lose it. I often wonder what else is out there in the marshes...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mike and for sharing the story of the 'lost' key. Yes, I try not to think about what else is out there, I'd heard of a head being found on the Dartford Salt Marshes when I was planning my walk there for the book.

[@jde9095]

Starting to catch up with your videos. Hope all is well with you and yours John. Thank you for continuing to share these wonderful adventures.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Darrell - all is well here, been quite busy recently but have just re-opened the book to try and finish this year. More walks planned and perhaps even a multi-day hike

[@jde9095]

Fantastic, looking forward to it. Have a great day, Take Care.

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Thanks John, another coool video. i always learn somethings from your walks.And always enjoy them.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Little Acorns - greatly appreciated

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

Beautiful place. Wonderful vlog.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

Be careful of some of those innocent looking rocks. Many years ago, in the 1970s we unloaded a consignment of Brazilian columbite ore at the Murex jetty which turned out to be radioactive. Safety was a bit more relaxed in those days and it was decided to dump it on the marshes. Havering council discovered some of this many years later and it was “sealed off” with a chain link fence and a couple of “contaminated land” signs - which have no doubt been removed.

[@jaalmemamaza]

These 16 concrete barges were placed at Rainham Marshes as a rapid response to the 'Great Flood' of 31st January 1953. They appear in their current position on a Britain from Above photograph, EAW048345, taken 3rd February 1953 and were towed from moorings on the Thames. These Petrol Barges were originally designed and built as part of the 'Overlord' plan, to carry fuel to support the D-Day invasion. After the first prototype, P.B. 1, was built by Wates at Barrow-in-Furness, 200 of these barges were built at West India Docks by Wates between Spring 1943 and Spring 1944. Due to a disastrous trial of the Petrol Barges - Exercise Jantzen - that took place in July & August 1943 at Tenby, they were never eventually deployed as other means had been found to supply fuel for the invasion. A few of these barges were deployed as Water Barges to help supply water to the Royal Navy.

[@JagBetty]

My Monday evening viewing essential. The wife has 'her' soaps and I have 'my' JR video to enjoy. An excellent place for a stroll as we (thanks for the wee mention) also were on a shooting range this week. Another fantastic video John, I always seem to learn something from them.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's an enormous compliment Jag, so glad you enjoy the videos

[@bimma1000]

The stones I suppose are called slag, dross or cinders in english. It's what is left after making iron.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Tommy - I wondered if they had some industrial heritage

[@ronnieadam8710]

Amazing video John, very interesting, I enjoyed it 👍🙂

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Ronnie

[@MH-ln6pv]

Sanity in insane times - thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thank you Malcolm - I think that's often what I'm seeking on these walks

[@ladypeeps5701]

Wow thank you was looking for vids on my home town!! Sharing this for my American Friends!! x

[@alex-E7WHU]

Remember when eurodisney was going to be put there.. So glad it went to Paris.

[@danielboulton98]

I done that last week such an interesting place

[@theking-hq2ib]

Hello everyone 🙋 I live in Purfleet 😊

[@daveconyard8946]

thank you brill post x

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Dave

[@oildrum101]

turned down a trip there with dad just this morning couldn't face it with baby on my back think this ones a solo mission

[@JohnRogersWalks]

beautiful day for it though John. There are good paved paths all the way so a fairly easy walk with a load - even a pram.

[@garryferrington811]

Iain Sinclair left unmentioned.

[@RobinJusteEmery]

Great video. Thanks John! Somewhere along your route, did you find the metro Kent rail line leading up to Ebsfleet Intl? I pass the Rainham Marsh via Thameslink and Southeastern from Medway. Along the route the line runs parallel with C2C up to Dagenham Dock.

[@ArthurStone]

Thanks.

[@lemenelli5100]

So nice :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Lemenelli

[@Christ_Is_King34]

I think that may be flint that you were looking at there though its difficult to tell only by looking at it

[@JohnRogersWalks]

ah, interesting idea, it's very strange, can't help feeling that it might be linked to the historic landfill in some way but I could be completely wrong

[@mickeythompson9537]

Not clear enough to say for sure, but maybe some kind of copper ore? img.weiku.com/photo/3200/320099/product/Copper_Ore_Copper_Concentrate_Copper_Ingots_Copper_Cathodes_2014414123410493.jpg

[@colinkey7094]

The bluish coloured rocks are glass ("slag") which is a byproduct of metal refining in a blast furnace.

[@danielwalker2613]

The clip at 10:32 of the coloured rocks was and old chemical dumping ground. ... I think they used to dispose of cyanide there many years ago ?

[@redfordgrange3507]

There’s something nest-like about that RSPB building.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

yeah, you're right, it was beautiful inside as well

[@thesongwriter256]

The traffic always like that on a13 never moves

[@peterbuckley6974]

SO YOU HAD TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN MANY TWEETING TWITCHERS !!! JOHN TO FIND A SEAT IN THE RAINHAM MARSH CAFE.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's right Peter, impossible to get a seat with a decent view

[@Lk_01s]

its a very bad video i would not suggest to watch it

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Well I had a great day

[@Chasworth]

Haha 🫨