Downriver - along the Thames from Purfleet to Grays (4K)

[@whitestone4805]

John, I’m glad you went out too. Sometimes; just sometimes, there’s a call, perhaps a primordial need, to hear the blustering wind; to experience it’s tug and pull. To give in to that strange desire to know once more the sting of certain rains, those that freely offer to cleanse the mind and exfoliate the fears of the sedentary soul. Go safely onward.

[@ibexdnb2879]

My childhood was spent along this sea wall. Often venturing into the abandoned factories and jetties! Fond times.

[@brianfreeman8290]

Memories ! I lived in the area for nearly twenty five years, and often walked there, usually with the children. They are middle aged now but I sent them this vid, as we had many adventures. The sea wall was only just being built, so most of the walk was open. Grays, formerly quite a charming town, is now an absolute dump, but one thing has improved a lot. The graffiti is much better !

[@overnightparking]

I did that walk about 10 years ago and like you I found it mesmerisingly otherworldly. I started from the Rainham train station, crossing the tracks and followed the route through the extensive marsh land and just kept pushing on not knowing what I’d find. It was a mild summer day but still the industrial edginess was intimidating and yet compelling and by the time I reached the Queen Elisabeth Bridge it was getting near dark and I was unsure how I was even going to get out of there. That was a time of 3G and Google maps took eons to download. Now I have to find your walks through the Dagenham docks, another area I found fascinating. Thanks as usual John, great walk!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing that memory 3dog - such a great landscape for walking

[@halsumpter7342]

That was thrillingly strange and beautiful! I've done the stretch from Rainham to Purfleet, I had the idea you couldn't walk by the Dartford Bridge, glad to be proved wrong. Thanks for this John, I love your stuff, I don't get out nearly as often as I would like so glad to explore these places vicariously. You made a comment in your last video about the eco system of London, amazing that Epping Forest and this bit of the river are all interconnected. Have you done a video on the Hoo Peninsula? You can get to the Western end of it by train to Gravesend of Lower Higham, you would need to drive to Allhallows/Isle of Grain unfortunately although there some's lovely footage of the old branch line that used to run out there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5usmXWOr8SjrJY It's still within the purlieu of London but feels as wild as Dartmoor and you could can feel just as solitary. Keep up the good work!

[@Pipbrewster]

Great video, I live in Grays and often walk and cycle this route. Look forward to viewing more of your content!

[@john80c]

Great area, London's wild frontier being slowly reclaimed by nature and concrete disappearing under layers of tags-really enjoyed it.

[@lynpotter5583]

Surprised you did not mention that Proctor and Gamble factory was featured in Four Weddings and a funeral and St Clements church just tucked behind is worth a visit built around 1100! I live in Grays and have never ventured beyond the Pillboxes! I will definitely be going a bit further next time. Many many thanks this is brilliant xx

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

the real river Thames.. where only John would wander on such a damp day. Excellent.

[@bazangelopoulos]

The weather really compliments the mood.

[@196hasnain]

Ive cycled down this route a few times and its an amazing experience. Taking the Thames path on the south side up to gravesend and the ferry across. Its quite surreal the mix of big industrial buildings whilst being surrounded by bushes, fields and overgrown hedges. Kind of gives an apocalyptic vibe. Passing under the QEII bridge was a weird experience, we went on a foggy day and so couldn't see it till it was towering above us creeping out of the fog.

[@candiceb8925]

I grew up in tilbury 🙂 all still local to me ❤ thank you john you've have made me smile 🙂🙂

[@fintandineen3930]

was only there the other weekend on a cycle from Rainham to Basildon - such a haunting, otherworldly terrain that stretch, exemplified by the weather as well - hardly a single soul encountered along the way, trolleys sticking out of the mud like modern art pieces, standing under the dartford crossing certainly is awe inspiring - i found those three swings quite touching somehow as well. Certainly the side of the thames they don't want you to see, but its always there, clanking on - powering the nation. Thanks John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for sharing that Fintan - really rewarding stretch of the river. Been a few years since I've walked the Tilbury stretch so looking forward to that next

[@person.X.]

What a fantastic walk. Perfect weather for it too! I love these industrial areas - so many interesting things to see even if not the prettiest.

[@nelliemelba4967]

I'm on the Kent side, and in the day before RA got the better of me, we used to walk across the lovely wilderness of the Dartford Marshes, with its gunpowder remnants, pill boxes, the winding Creek, cows and huge mushrooms on the path! We used to get as far as the Littlbrook Power Station with its mighty chimney, now sadly demolished. I've often wondered at it was like on the other side of the river at Purfleet. Thanks for taking us on that walk, John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Nellie - reminds me I must return to your side of the river

[@robertbarling5601]

Thank you John for cheering me up on a gloomy evening. Bob.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Bob - glad you enjoyed the video

[@alexmaggs5770]

I believe you were looking into the remains of BPB paperboard. As a young project manager I oversaw the installation of a new phone system there in about 2006 and we were given a free run of the place - it was a amazing - it has its own power station, railway line running through it and the main mill was a few football pitches long and I remember it being like a giant set of the Crystal maze - hot spaces, cold spaces, lots of different smells and processes recycling paper into the stuff you use to cover walls in houses under the plaster. I believe you can see it in its final days in the episode of ‘I’m Alan partridge’ where his book ‘bouncing back’ is being recycled in a giant vat! The day we completed the install they announced the site was to close.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for sharing that Alex - sounds amazing

[@BritishBoy1971]

You can catch nice sized Sea Bass all along there (fish it between 2 hours before high tide and 2 hours after). *Go easy reeling them in, as they are powerful fish and can bend your hook straight (I'm not kidding)! Thanks for another video John. 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for the fishing tips Rottie - I saw quite a few people fishing from the old wharf at Grays

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Really enjoyed watching this again today! I find the land where it meets the river to be so captivating. Also I marvel that the access is so easy, it's available for anyone to walk. We would have fences and barriers.

[@huttonpark]

Great video. I have been meaning to do this walk again having previously done it in 1974. It looks quite different from what I remember with a lot more fences and high walls. I remember going through the massive Thames Board Mills site which I assume is now long gone. The old church is worth a look although when I was there the adjoining land was being used as an unofficial traveller's site and I was immediately surrounded by 4/5 ferocious looking dogs but fortunately they didn't press home an attack. The Wharf was then a good old school riverside pub but I suspect that it has since been given a makeover.

[@artdecoy]

Another great video and many thanks for posting. I rode this route in March but left the Thames at the Proctor and Gamble plant where there's an old church directly in front of the factory which features in 'Four weddings and a funeral ' I love this part of the world and will definitely ride it again once the weather gets a bit better. Thanks for sharing

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks artdecoy - I was wondering where the Four Weddings Church was - I couldn't see it from the other side of the sea wall

[@artdecoy]

@@JohnRogersWalks There's a small wooded area by the wall and it's the other side of that.

[@jamesstephenson4711]

Great video John, I live in Grays and have down the walk a few times from Purfleet to Grays. I guess it is slightly dystopian especially you approach the P and G factory.

[@jonasranson7677]

Fantastic walk John, fighting against the elements. Believe it or not, the Royal Opera House now has a costume and sets facility in Purfleet, situated in the High House Production Park, on the ridge overlooking the QE2 bridge. It’s surrounded by Grade II listed farm buildings and beautiful converted barns. They’ve created a programme to reflect projects from the Royal Opera House and create new innovative events tailored for local communities and residents. I had some involvement there last year in my activities as a film extra. Quite a contrast to the industrial landscape that the area is known for. I lived in a block of flats over looking the Estuary in Grays as a child, between 1972 and 1976.

[@daveconyard8946]

Thanks john when you ended the great walk you missed a very old pub on the banks in Grays forget the name of it but had a few pints in there many years back , Keep safe. Dave 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

was it The Wharf Dave? It caught the eye - not sure if it's still open but there were lights on inside

[@candiceb8925]

The wharf never reopened after Lockdown

[@gillywild]

What a magnificent document these walks are John. If you could upload seven a week I could watch seven. Nobody else captures the essence of these places like you do. I share totally your love of the liminal, of the interstices, the edge lands. Thank you sincerely for bringing me with you on these wonderful walks.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks so much for that gillywild

[@ianjohnson2198]

Thanks John. Dramatic landscape. Dramatic sky. And dramatic sounds! I imagine that area is no stranger to mudlarkers. Must be a lot of history buried in that mud.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I reckon you're right Ian - you certainly get people picking through the historic landfill site at Tilbury

[@wendybrown5935]

Hi John, facinating video. I was in the choir at the opening of the qe2 bridge, right in front of the Queen, pouring with rain but it was a fun day and glad I was part of it.. I still have the newspaper cutting.

[@jatsajatsa]

Just, stunning. Thank you.

[@cgj3888]

A pleasure to share your walk today viewing sites close up having driven passed many a time What treasures I missed the joys of a happy wanderer SMILES 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👌

[@garyfurner1227]

Done this walk yesterday John,loved it,thanks for the video.....which opened my eyes to this place of the Thames.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

great stuff Gary

[@davidfarrell7373]

John this is one of your films that I overlooked. I real dystopian beauty. Thank you. Dave

[@themeditativewalker6523]

A quite remarkable film John with an atmosphere so thick you could cut it with a knife. It is the sort of walk that I have done with an unsettling narrative and for that reason is absolutely fascinating. A great watch, thank you!

[@neilburns3614]

Nick Papadimitriou would have loved that walk, John. Kinda industrial 'wastelands'. An outlier's refuge. Love it.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

for sure Neil - here's a video of when we went down to Tilbury in 2010/2011 for our radio show kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnWZp4CGn6qmp8U

[@paulbillingham4594]

Hi John, If you turn up the side of the Procter and Gamble factory there is a little 9th Century Saxon Church which the soap factory almost encloses on 3 sides. Many years ago while working on the Power Station that is now long gone I was asked to clear the cemetery of vegetation for Procters. The little Church appeared in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, though the footage gives no idea that this ancient Church is nearly enclosed by the massive factory with huge slab like walls. It nestles almost behind the Ikea warehouse store in Thurrock. Smashing film and very enjoyable. Thanks for uploading.

[@TechnicalAnalysts]

Fantastic video...really captures the huge size of everything.

[@codsushi]

Superb. Definitely my kind of walk, all those industrial structures. Reminds me of my early childhood in Sheffield, 30 odd years ago.

[@dfrankpgh]

What a wonderful walk. It's amazing how you highlight the beauty and spirituality of even the harshest of industrial environments. This was a great moment of zen.

[@shauntodd7123]

Fantastic jaunt along the Essex Riverside

[@rambling_rob7035]

A couple of times I expected to see Ringo Starr plodding along the river. Amazing to see the industry tourists never see. Thank you, John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Rob

[@clivelangham435]

thank you for posting this great walk.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Clive glad you enjoyed it

[@annepuffett2025]

Such a dramatic landscape and so enjoyable thankyou John

[@pumpkinprincess1031]

Watching this again. This week is going to be a tough one for many here in the US. I think I’m going to have to do a rewatch of some of my favorites. So nice to escape. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

All the best Lisa - brighter days ahead

[@shotgunpsycho]

Rainy walks always heighten the sences my freind.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

they certainly do - this was great for the soul

[@harrisonhealey1679]

I like the way you show so much passion and interest in the small things, we need more people like you!

[@christinestone9006]

I really enjoyed joining you on your walk. I was displaced to Purfleet from the hills and mountains of Wales in 1987 after my parents divorced and my mum wanted to live close to her family in Greater London/Essex. As a 16/17 year old I hated living in such a grey, dusty and industrialised area. I ended up working at West Thurrock Power Station in the late 80s and early 90s and was surprised not to see it on your walk. I recognised the Esso Terminal immediately and the Proctor & Gamble site too. I have cousins that still live in South Stifford. Thank you so much for the nostalgic wallow and for your interesting and knowledgeable commentary. I've now subscribed to your channel as my mum was born in SE London but had family members in the East End and SW London and some of her relatives were barrow boys and Pearly Kings and Queens, and I'm interested to learn more about undiscovered London and the South East. I worked in London in the early to mid 90s, based in Finsbury Square and used to walk out on my lunch breaks around London Wall, Monument and Bank.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing that Christine.

[@rogerthecabinboy646]

5:20 - I just missed you John, had you walked passed at 1800 that would be me up that crane (RTG).....Like your videos, very interesting.

[@RubbishGimpy]

I'm glad you walked the Graffiti side. Its a great free gallery of some decent work.

[@Drdee1]

I've walked from the Thames flood barrier to Erith on the South bank and felt intimidated by the brutal industrial landscape and people hanging around there but, like you, glad to have completed it and seen another side of London

[@sw_909]

Thanks for the video John, I really enjoyed it. I grew up in Hornchurch and when we were kids we used to jump on the train and explore all the abandoned factories along the Thames. Very dangerous but when you are 12 or 13, very fun. This brought back lots of memories. Also I didn’t know that you could walk under the bridge like that. And that mega pylon - in the 90s I always heard stories about people base jumping from it.

[@DjAja]

Thanks John,We really enjoyed that walk i used to get off at Grays to go an old girlfriends at chadwell St Mary !

[@robbrierley3009]

Great walk, Loved the bridge from the river, More urban river walks please

[@mozdickson]

One of your best John. Epic industrial ugly beauty. If this resonates folks, John's colleague Rachel Lichtenstein has written a phenomenal book on this area and wider water, Estuary.

[@bss1346]

Loving the videos John down in the Rainham and upwards area to Grays/Dartford. From around them areas myself. Would love to bump into you one day for a chat! Been with your channel for around a year or so now and have never regretted subscribing or watching your walking adventures! Brilliant 👍🏼

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks very much - we're bound to bump into each other one day - I'll be back down there to walk from Tilbury and plenty more walks round that area planned

[@arnold-hu4vk]

looks like the journey to the zone in Stalker. :)

[@benben8866]

Absolutely.

[@williamkirby6729]

I found this walk soothing and relaxing. Thanks John👍

[@mervwright2611]

Great one , John.........You will have to keep us updated on the new lock down you folks are under, Thanks .Merv .....BC .....Canada

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Merv - certainly keep you updated on the lockdown, I’ll keep walking and uploading videos

[@magicknight8412]

Nice bleak but atmospheric one this! Something very cool about that whole area.

[@4thEyeVision]

Wow what a beautiful walk thank you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure 4thEye

[@begbieyabass]

John, You helped me out of a real down day, Were still on a 25km lockdown so it is a bit hard for me to get out & about, but this is the next best thing. Cheers John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Glad I could get you outside Dave

[@admiralcraddock464]

You need grey depressing weather like that to fully enjoy the bleak, dystopian landscape of that walk.

[@MF-fg3cg]

Truly fantastic walk and cinematography. Really atmospheric and emotive. thanks so much.

[@Charlie.TheChatRoom]

Thank you John for capturing such eerie passage ways and pathways in that intricate industrial conglomerate of the Thames Isis.

[@rubbberrobbie]

Amazing John. I've often walked the south side and it certainly does have an energy - even in a storm!

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb so much old jetties pipelines etc...

[@steveandrews7880]

Driven over the Dartford crossing many times so fascinating to see you walk beneath it . Another amazing walk John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Steve

[@FIO6271]

John this walk felt so special. Dramatic, almost cinematic. Have a nice week!! All the best from Argentina

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Fiona all the way over there in Argentina. Yes there's something epic about that landscape

[@paularnold4440]

Surreal landscape. Thanks John . Looking forward to Tilbury walk. Wonder if you plan to go as far as Coalhouse fort? Would pass former Bata shoes model estate on way to East Tilbury station.

[@CyclingSteve]

Yikes, I had considered cycling this route. I'll pack light for all the lifting up and down steps. Wonderfully bleak and even more so in contrast with the amazing artworks on the sea wall.

[@Ben_Mdws]

Fascinating place John - thank you for sharing it

[@billyfury1952]

Thanks John..Brrrrr what a grim walk..it made me put my heating on lol

[@benjamindenton]

John spends a rainy windy Saturday afternoon along the industrial Thames - 'so you don't have to'®

[@dolorespinto3106]

Thanks for that. So strange and forbidding, yet fascinating. Not a walk I would be brave enough to do.

[@minijames2777]

Drove over the dartford bridge many times, was great to see the walk underneath and what an amazing bridge it is. 😊

[@morriganwitch]

Thank you John we are moving to near this area soon . We hope to be inspired by your travels xxx

[@JohnRogersWalks]

you're in for some wonderful skies - it's a rich territory

[@morriganwitch]

@@JohnRogersWalks thank you we decided to move back in Partly through your journeys , originally from Kent , just inspired me back home , husband happy ! Xxx

[@muddyshoes2939]

That was a great walk. Felt a bit edgy in places. Very interesting,

[@peterwalton1502]

Really enjoyed the walk with you John 👍

[@danielwilson6529]

I enjoy your narrated walks , and I often wonder about the music that accompanies your films , I know this particular part of the river very well and often walk it myself,, keep up the good work John Rogers 🙏🏻👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Daniel. A list of the music is in the video description- it’s all from the KZbin Audio Library

[@danielwilson6529]

@@JohnRogersWalks Thankyou very much 🙏🏻👍

[@mickeythompson9537]

Excellent edgelands exploration.

[@MeTheRob]

This territory was all completely new to me. A unique walk. Lost for words, unless I can reclaim 'awesome' and return it to an older meaning - inspiring dread and wonder, especially wonder.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

well put Rob

[@WinstonBuford]

Always loved that bridge. Used to be able to see it from South Ockendon, Stifford Clays or Dagenham, it is a very exciting and interesting area.

[@patrickhassett7077]

Great video John!

[@155stw]

Epic just epic as usual. You were able to combine ambience music, brilliant narration and footage. Turned a gloomy day into something so interesting , When I fly into London I will do the Epping walk.

[@voxley19]

Another amazing walk John. I think I've mentioned it before, but the section of the London Loop between Rainham and Purfleet along the Thames is a fantastic walk.

[@jimjones7909]

John, like someone else has mentioned you should have crossed over the wall at P&G and had a look at S Clements church - quite at odds with the buildings that dwarf it, - also a monument/mass grave to boy sailors drowned when a training ship sunk in the early 1900's - the 'mother of all pylons' are the tallest in the country, taking 400KV across to Kent

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I really should have gone for a look at that church Jim - I was too fixated on the river

[@jasonantigua6825]

I’ve researched those pylons too Jim! Quite impressive structures. A base jumper died some years back when he jumped from the one on the Kent side!!!

[@bill-tl1rq]

@@JohnRogersWalks do it John. I've been out of the area for 30 yrs but took my mum back maybe 5 yrs ago to look at the church. I was a pageboy there in the early 70s... It's dwarfed by proctors but has a tale to tell. Great channel John - I'm a newbie and love it 👌

[@RajSinghKhalsa]

Wonderful, I think you earned a can or two of Stella great work

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Raj - I had some tea and cake before sinking a couple of pints

[@howdymartin6258]

Splendid - simply splendid

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Martin

[@mariana4059]

Impressive landscape - like a massive industrial sculpture garden.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It's almost overwhelming Mariana

[@ashleysgaze]

Elemental John! Great! 🌧🚶‍♂️

[@Hammertime054]

I ride my mountain bike from barking to grays and back quite a few times along the Thames path👍

[@lesgoody3141]

Well done John, I admire your determination!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Les

[@WinstonBuford]

Behind Goresbrook Village Estate (i used to live there) just off Ripple Road, there used to be a massive wasteland behind it,lots of concrete and rubble, swampy area further out, - and it had old pillboxes there, was so cool to explore!

[@stevenspraggs4953]

loved that one thanks john

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Steven glad you enjoyed it

[@patriciadodman1284]

Great walk John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Patricia

[@suginami123]

Superb video.

[@allannewson1461]

Like the background music

[@michaelshaw1662]

Fascinating video John, thanks so much for sharing.

[@yupitsteddy]

done this walk a few times over the last few years , until they changed the gate entrance you would have to walk past the cottages and go though a small gate next to them until they was pulled down last year

[@danielwalker2613]

The pylons at12:50 are quite famous. There are a pair spanning the Thames - and are the tallest in the UK.

[@frankspencer5368]

There is something frugal about those places. And I even miss them.

[@obrYo]

Loved that walk. As you said "Some people will find beauty anywhere." The shit weather was great. The broken bench with no planks, just concrete supports will stay with me. Thank you.

[@raymurray6822]

A beatiful brutal land.