1 The Jobbers Rest Public House is thought to be the site of the Cranham workhouse around the early 1800s with the land bought for just £20. Thames Chase - 2 This path leading across the railway was used by villagers working in the Community Forest brickfields in the early 1900s. Environmental improvements within the borders of Transforming 3 This part of Cranham and north Upminster was rich in brick earth and Thames Chase Community Forest are all around landscapes, through the 19th century and early part of the 20th century there is evidence of brick works throughout this area. Extensive works, kilns and pits you in the many green spaces that are enjoyed transforming are recorded covering 11.5 acres of land where Cranham playing fields are through its 40 sq miles of countryside. lives today. These workings were close to the railway sidings for ease of transportation into London. As much of the clay was dug by hand from This landscape regeneration project is now being open pits that easily flooded, many small ponds were left and one can still managed by the Thames Chase Trust. be seen today The Forest Centre provides information about the 4 Moor Lane once extended across the A127 into Folks Lane and then Community Forest and beyond into Beredens Lane before the construction of the M25. This map a focus for community can be used with 5 There is a good deal of evidence of brick works in this area around Bird Thames walk No. 6a to activities. There is a make a circular walk Lane. A possible kiln was recorded as early as 1708 in Bird Lane, but the of 1 most productive period was the late 19th century when cottages were wide range of events 0 miles 4.5 hours(approx) built in the lane to house the workers.(Note the names of the cottages to interest all ages - (approx) today) The clay from the works here was used for fancy work including tiles and chimney pots and examples can still be seen on the roofs of the pick up a leaflet at the workers cottages. The brickfields were linked to the railway at Upminster Chase Forest Centre. Station by a maze of narrow gauge lines to transport the goods to London. Evidence of one of these lines can still be seen behind Holden Way. The only house known to be built using local bricks is Upminster Court in Opening Hours 1906. Visitor Centre: Late March to October; Walk No. 6b 6 A short detour to Upminster Hall, one of the two earliest manors in the 10am - 5pm every day. area that was at one time granted to Henry VIII (1491-1547) & Oliver November to Late March; Cromwell (1599-1658). The earliest part of the present building dates from1620. It is now owned by Upminster Golf Course. Also next to 10am - 4pm each day. Northern Loop to Upminster Upminster Hall is the Tithe Barn, now a Museum of Nostalgia, dating from 1450. Site: Daily; 8.30am - to dusk. However, there is no evidence that it was ever used for the collection of tithes. Windmill and The Old Chapel 7 The Ingrebourne River flows into the Thames between Rainham and Car parking Hornchurch Marshes. 5.6 miles (approx) A fixed daily donation to Thames Chase Trust payable 8 The Drury Falls Housing Estate was built in the middle of the last century. at the ticket machine. 2.5 hours (approx) 9 The Southend to Fenchurch Street railway line first opened in 1885 and the Thames Chase Walks are sponsored by (Can be very muddy waterproof boots electric line in 1932, giving easy access to the City of London. recommended. Two high stiles at railway 10 Upminster Windmill was built in 1803 by James Nokes along with ancillary crossing.) buildings, a bakery and cottages, and operated until approximately 1927. Essex County Council bought the mill in 1937 and started restoration work. It passed to the London Borough of Havering who, with the help of /Thame Chase community groups, continued the restoration and the mill opened to the public in 1967. For more information and to make bookings please ring Acknowledgements; 01708 642970 or call at The Thames Chase Forest Centre, A History of Upminster and Cranham Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS T by John Drury (Sadly out of print) E-mail: [email protected] H K A L Havering History Review – Hornchurch and District Web site: www.thameschase.org.uk M A Historical Society (April 1972) Charity no. 1115627. Company No. 5687558 E W S CH SE Sue Smith Conservation Planner S & G (Smith) Ltd A Design & Artwork by P A Vine Mobile: 07940570194 Email: [email protected] Thames Chase Trust 1. Walk to the end of the drive through the wood then cross over the BIRD LANE 10 drive and take FP No. 288 across the wooden bridge over the ditch 5 and follow the path along the edge of the golf course. 2. Go through the kissing gate and across St. Mary’s Lane taking FP No. 9 A127 193 over the ditch then through another kissing gate. Follow the path north to the railway line. There is a high but sturdy metal stile on either side of the line. Take care crossing the railway line. 8 The field on the far side of the railway line can be 7 4 very waterlogged in wet weather. a bridge and kissing gate. FRONT LANE 3. Turn sharp right after crossing the railway and 6. Cross Moor Lane and turn right to FOOT BRIDGE follow the hedge into Franks Wood. Continue HALL LANE the end of the Lane. At the Traffic INTO MOOR LANE walking through the wood with the railway no entry sign continue up the lane. on your right. The wood is home to many After 50 metres pass the metal N species of bird including woodpecker. 12 RIVER DRIVE gate posts and after a further one CRANHAM 4. On exiting the wood turn left and hundred metres turn left at FP sign AVON RD follow the path alongside the wood 11 148 to Front Lane. Take care entering 6 and cross the arable field. the woods as the incline can be slippery in wet weather. 5 GOLF COURSE Continue walking north with the GOLF COURSE 7. After a short while the footpath bears right. Follow the way markers until MOORLANE arable field and the M25 on 13 6 you reach the broadwalk over a boggy area. Continue over the boardwalk your right for around 400 followed by a bridge with a scaffold hand rail over a stream and exit the woods. metres. 8. The footpath now widens to a byway for car access to garages for the houses on your 5. Turn left at FP176 sign to left. At the end of the byeway the footpath narrows between houses before emerging into Front Lane. 7 Moor Lane, cross over 9. Turn right into Front lane and on reaching number 206 Front Lane cross the Lane and take FP 147 Bird the bridge and follow Lane passing first between bungalows and around a broken stile. Follow the way markers as the footpath the way marker signs goes gradually uphill passing through trees and scrubland. After passing woods on your left cross the stile to RECREATION GROUND through the woods. INGREBOURNE RIVER an arable field. The footpath goes accross the top edge of the arable field to Bird Lane. FRANKS The footpath meets 14 10. Turn left into Bird Lane and walk down the lane the to junction with Hall Lane. Turn left at Hall Lane and WOOD Moor Lane via continue to the Avon Road Junction. Cross Avon Road and then cross Hall Lane and almost immediately turn CRANHAM 3 right into River Drive. BRICK-FIELDS FRANKS WOOD 4 I 15 I I I I Walk downhill to the end of River Drive. The footpath FP 273 now continues downhill passing through ivy clad I I I 11. I I I I I I I I I I I woodlands. As the path levels out it becomes quite boggy after wet weather. I I I I I I 3 I I I I I BENETS ROAD 12. Cross the footbridge over the Ingrebourne and through the kissing gate. Then bear left crossing the boardwalk and I I I I I I I I FRIMLEY AVE I I I continue to footpath sign 285 . I I I 13. Go through the kissing gate and take care crossing the footbridge which has no handrail. The footpath now passes the M25 school playing fields on your right and woods of oak and sweet chestnut on your left. On meeting an arable field turn left following FP sign 284/285 in the direction of Benetts Road. 8 14. The footpath now follows the edge of the field with Upminster Golf Course visible through the trees on your left. At 16 the corner of the field turn right and continue along the edge of the field. 15. Cross the footbridge and then turn left where the path again follows the edge of an BERKELY DRIVE BERKELY CLOSE HALL LANE arable field. At the end of the field the London Loop walk goes right at the back of 2 I I I I I houses. Our walk bears left then between houses to Benets Road where we turn left. I I I I I I I I 9 The walk now is on roadside paths. Walk to the end of Benets road, turn right into 2 ST MARY’S LANE I I I Upminster Station 16.