HORNCHURCH District Line (Upminster)

Before you leave the station for the Hornchurch Country Park, have a look at the adjacent ‘Tudor’ mini-cab office which is the size of a Wendy house!

The park has been created on the site of RAF Hornchurch from which so many Spitfires took off to take part in the Battle of Britain. After the war the base was used for the training of aircrews, finally closing in 1962. Now you can wander along the peaceful banks of the Ingresbourne, perhaps thinking occasionally of the very different scene in the 1940’s. There are a few reminders of the past along the way – some areas of concrete and names such as Squadrons Approach, Airfield Way, Flightway Wood and Airfield Wood.

Getting to the park is not the most exciting of walks: cross the road and go down Standen Avenue, right into Alma Avenue, left into Central Drive. Finally another right into Goodwood Avenue will take you to the wooden gates of the park. A broad greeen swathe of grass meanders by the Ingresbourne River (which eventually end up at Rainham). In spring and summer there is luxuriant vegetation along the banks which makes this a pleasant and interesting potter.

MAP

This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!

© DR2007