dragonfly, heron, Avely mammoth, kingfisher kingfisher mammoth, Avely heron, dragonfly, rejuvenate with minimal intervention. intervention. minimal with rejuvenate

2008. These are a fish, fish, a are These 2008. to grow and and grow to

restoration project in in project restoration they’ve been allowed allowed been they’ve peace' . peace'

the valley valley Mardyke the natural and so far far so and natural a place to 'sit in in 'sit to place a

were recovered during during recovered were Woodlands. They are are They Woodlands. the field should be be should field the

motor bikes etc that that etc bikes motor Ancient Semi Natural Natural Semi Ancient from her wish that that wish her from

from shopping trolleys, trolleys, shopping from officially designated designated officially The name derives derives name The

created 6 sculptures sculptures 6 created woods have been been have woods on 19th June, 1933. 1933. June, 19th on

Ptolemy Elrington Elrington Ptolemy These three historic historic three These and the Mar Dyke to the elderly of the village village the of elderly the to Dyke Mar the and

sculptures. sculptures. when the Romans first arrived here in 54BC. 54BC. in here arrived first Romans the when later donated the land between North Stifford North between land the donated later

Davy Down has numerous interesting interesting numerous has Down Davy the west. All were probably well established established well probably were All west. the Stifford. Sir Fielding died in 1928, and his widow widow his and 1928, in died Fielding Sir Stifford.

2 Sculptures (Garden) to the north and Low Well Wood to to Wood Well Low and north the to (Garden) Clarke once lived at Coppid Hall in North North in Hall Coppid at lived once Clarke

Brannett’s Wood to the east, Millard’s Wood Wood Millard’s east, the to Wood Brannett’s Sir Fielding Clarke and Lady Mary Milward Milward Mary Lady and Clarke Fielding Sir

South Stifford and Grays. and Stifford South

Mardyke Woods is actually composed of three three of composed actually is Woods Mardyke 6 Field of Peace of Field

Stifford, , Hundred, Chafford Stifford, Amongst the oldest surviving woods in , Essex, in woods surviving oldest the Amongst

in including North North including Thurrock in 4 Mardyke Woods Mardyke information.

customers customers dvillage.co.uk for more more for dvillage.co.uk

45,000 45,000 July 1892. July See www.northstiffor See

of around around of and opened on1st on1st opened and benefactor of the village. village. the of benefactor

supplying water to the taps taps the to water supplying designed by AL Stride Stride AL by designed was a generous generous a was

North Stifford, is now now is Stifford, North 14 arch viaduct. It was was It viaduct. arch 14 Sherwood Paints who who Paints Sherwood

based at Davy Down, Down, Davy at based valley by a magnificent magnificent a by valley private owner was Colonel Sherwood of of Sherwood Colonel was owner private

treatment works, which is is which works, treatment crosses the Mardyke Mardyke the crosses manor house. The last last The house. manor

programme in 2007. The The 2007. in programme The railway between and Grays Grays and Upminster between railway The history as a private private a as history

million modernisation modernisation million 3 Railway viaduct Railway Inn hotel but has a long long a has but hotel Inn

again following a £2.5 £2.5 a following again Lodge is now the Park Park the now is Lodge

supplying customers in the Thurrock area area Thurrock the in customers supplying of Peace. Stifford Stifford Peace. of

pump. Stifford water treatment works is is works treatment water Stifford pump. Mary Clarke – see Field Field see – Clarke Mary

using a modern electric electric modern a using Sir Fielding and Lady Lady and Fielding Sir

being extracted today today extracted being private houses. Coppid Hall was the home of of home the was Hall Coppid houses. private

below. Water is still still is Water below. thatched cottages and 2 substantial former former substantial 2 and cottages thatched

borehole in the chalk chalk the in borehole There are numerous 17th and 18th century century 18th and 17th numerous are There

from a 42-metre-deep 42-metre-deep a from hall and children’s play area. area. play children’s and hall

power to extract water water extract to power

with its cricket pitch, village village pitch, cricket its with

skeleton of a mythical ship. ship. mythical a of skeleton

large diesel engines which provided the the provided which engines diesel large

of St Mary and village green green village and Mary St of

Amanda Hopkins created the the created Hopkins Amanda

buildings were built in 1926-27 to house house to 1926-27 in built were buildings

shop, an 11th century church church century 11th an shop,

Down. Down.

The dominant Stifford Pumping Station Station Pumping Stifford dominant The

Dyke has a pub, corner corner pub, a has Dyke plates at the entrance to Davy Davy to entrance the at plates

1 Pumping Station and Water Tower Water and Station Pumping

hill overlooking the Mar Mar the overlooking hill Little Foxes’ and the metal name name metal the and Foxes’ Little

This picturesque traditional English village on a a on village English traditional picturesque This

Lucy Cason created the ‘Three ‘Three the created Cason Lucy

Points of Interest: of Points

5 North Stifford Village Stifford North and stag bettle. stag and

Davy Down Riverside Park - Community Forest Davy Down is a peaceful, relaxing setting in which you can explore the countryside, enjoy the wildlife and take a Environmental improvements within the borders of look at some local historic buildings. Thames Chase Community Forest are all around you in the many green spaces that are enjoyed Before it was opened to the public in May 1993 Davy Transforming Down had a long history of farming, dating back to at through its 40 sq miles of countryside. landscapes, least 1730. This landscape regeneration project is now being transforming managed by the Thames Chase Trust. More recently the land was used for market gardening, lives which was abandoned when the new A13 was built, The Forest Centre provides information about the splitting the land holding in half. Community Forest and a focus for community activities. There is a wide range of events to interest The farm soon became derelict and unsightly and remained so until the Thames Chase and Davy Down all ages - pick up a leaflet at the Forest Centre. Project began. Opening Hours Thames The area also retains a rich heritage in the form of the impressive railway viaduct across the Mardyke Valley Visitor Centre: Late March to October; which dates from 1892. 10am - 5pm every day. November to Late March; There are also the Chase dominant Stifford 10am - 4pm each day. Pumping Station Site: Daily; 8.30am - to dusk. buildings.

The 13 hectare site Car parking has an information A fixed daily donation to Thames Chase Trust payable Walk centre, a picnic area at the ticket machine. and 2.9km (1.8 miles) Photo © Glyn Baker (cc-by-sa/2.0) of paths going through Thames Chase Walks are sponsored by water meadows, woodland, ponds, and along the banks Circula walk via: of the River Mardyke. Davy Down, Field of Davy Down is the key gateway to the Mardyke Way, which runs for 12km (7.5miles) along the ancient river Peace and Mardyke valley from in north Thurrock, downstream to . Davy Down Riverside Park was developed in The Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme seeks partnership with local residents. to restore, discover and celebrate one of the last remaining Woods landscapes of as it once was. Through delivery of It is both easy to get to and a great place to go for a 26 projects ranging from river restoration to community 4.5 miles (approx) walk, a bike ride, a picnic, or simply to relax. The park is archaeology, we aim to engage the community with their also accessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs. local heritage and environment. Find out more on social 2-2.5 hours (approx) media and our website: www.landofthefanns.org.uk Wildlife /Thames Chase @ Thames_Chase thameschase The Davy Down Riverside Park provides a rich habitat for a range of animals and plants. For more information and to make bookings please ring

01708 642970 or call at The Thames Chase Forest Centre, T

The ponds and wetlands are a particularly good place to H Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS K spot water voles or kingfishers as well as colourful insects E-mail: [email protected] A L such as dragonflies, glow-worms and numerous species of M A Web site: www.thameschase.org.uk butterfly. E W Charity no. 1115627. Company No. 5687558 S CHASE Other wildlife include foxes, herons, parakeets, swans and marsh frogs etc. Copy taken from http://www.northstiffordvillage.co.uk/davydown Design & Artwork by P A Vine Mobile: 07940570194 Email: [email protected] Thames Chase Trust 4 This circular walk of around 4.5 miles starts from the Davy Down car park which can be reached via Back Road a turning off of Pilgrims Lane or via the 370 Romford to Lakeside bus alighting at Davy Down. SCUPLTURES FISH 1 Leave the car park on the north side by the Davy Down information sign and turn left on the surfaced path. The path bends right in a clockwise direction. After around 100 meters the path passes through woods of recently planted native trees. DRAGONFLY 2 After around 400 metres emerge from the woods to a view of the pumping station to the right and the railway viaduct arches to the left. Follow the path for a further 200 metres to the footbridge over the Mardyke. Note the fish sculpture over the bridge. HERON 3 Do not cross the bridge but continue on the footpath with the Mardyke on your left and the floodplain/meadow on your right. After a further 400 meters the footpath meets National Cycle Network 137 and a bridge over the Mardyke. Note as you approach the bridge the magnificent willow trees with the trunk of the willow on your right some 5/6 metres in circumference. FOXES 4 At the junction turn right on NCN 137 away from the bridge. After a short distance, you should glimpse a view of the rear of Davy Down Cottage. This thatched cottage was formerly the Swan Inn. MAMMOTH Mardyke 5 Continue along the path to the exit of Davy Down for the loop to North Stifford and the Field of Peace. Note for a shorter walk you can omit the Field of Peace loop by taking the footpath to the left just before Golf Course

the Davy Down exit and go to step 9. I

I

6 On leaving Davy Down turn left to

the mini roundabout crossing I

Stifford Road then turn right and I

follow the pavement uphill on

Stifford Road. After a short I

distance, there is an entrance to I

the Field of Peace on he left.

4 I

However, continue uphill for 10 around 800 meters to North I

Mardyke Woods Stifford. As you enter the I BR219 8 FP131

village you pass the Dog and 4 Partridge on the left and I 9

5

Belhus Cricket Club on I 6 the right. Field of Peace

11 I 6

7 The walk continues by I Davy Down

3 S 7 taking FP 131 beside the bus I t

i f

stop. However, if you have 13 fo 12 I

time it is worth continuing 3 Water Tower rd Hill

through the village to admire I 2 1 5

Pumping Station the numerous thatched houses, Pilgrim Lane

I North Stifford the Church of the Virgin Mary

and Coppid House the former I

home of with Sir Fielding Clarke I

and his wife Lady Mary. I

P

Follow FP 131 downhill between hedges I 8

through the Field of Peace until you meet I 1

the Mardyke at a footbridge. Do not cross the

I bridge but turn left and follow Bridleway 219.

After leaving the Field of Peace the Bridleway follows I A13

the Mardyke to the right and garden fences to the left. As you I

approach Stifford Bridge the Bridleway turns sharp left uphill, through a gate and emerges back at the mini roundabout. I

Stifford Pumping Station I

Cross the Stifford Road and re-enter Davy Down. Take the footpath on the right which bears round anti clock-

9 I HOUSES & BUILDINGS wise to re-join NCN 137. On your right about 20 metres before re-joining NCN 137 there is a sculpture of a boat’s hull.

I FARM BUILDINGS

10 Turn right on the cycle path and cross the bridge over the Mardyke. The path bears left and then runs parallel to the Mardyke passing under the railway viaductI

arches. After a further 200 metres leave the cycle path an enter the Mardyke Woods on the right by the Forestry Commission sign Brannets Wood. TREES/HEDGES I

FARMLAND

11 Take the footpath uphill for around 500 metres where the path forks. The fork to the right continues uphill and leaves the woods at a children’s playground.I This walk takes the fork to the left down hill passing a bench with a carved owl on

the right. Continue straight ahead ignoring paths to the left and right. Eventually at a T junction take the path downhill and join the NCN 137 at Forestry I Commission sign Low Well Wood. On the right is the A13 flyover but turn left on the GRASSLAND

cycle path with the woods to the left and the Mardyke flood plain on the right.

I SHRUB

12 Continue on the cycle path for just under a mile passing under the viaduct to the footbridge with the fish sculpture. Take the footbridge over the MardykeI and follow the footpath straight ahead. After 100 metres take the wooden boardwalk

From the footbridge over the pond a good view of the heron sculpture can be seen on the right. GOLF COURSE Stifford Pumping Station is an impressive on the left. I building with beautiful arched windows. It - - - - - ROUTE I To your right across the field you should be able to see the sculpture of the Averly was built by the Essex and Suffolk Water 13 The footpath follows the metal fencing of the pumping station which is well worth a visit if open. Also note the sculpture of a dragon fly on the water tower. I I I I I I RAILWAY Mammoth peering through the trees. Walk past the pumping station and picnic area down the steps to the footpath back to the car park. I

Company in the 1920s to extract water, I

which lies in an underground store. Known I

as an aquifer, this lies approximately 40

I

meters below the ground.

I

Originally diesel engines (still housed in the I

pumping station) were used to pump over I

3 million gallons of water a day. These I

have been replaced by an electric pump I

which still provides over 1 million gallons of I

water a day to surrounding households. I

The lower building, next to Back Lane is I

the Filter House. The pumping station is I

open to the public when the warden is on I

site and during Discover Davy Down open I

days.

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