www.redbridge.gov.uk visit Alternatively . [email protected] or 2316 8559 020 on Valley please contact the Nature Conservation Ranger Team Team Ranger Conservation Nature the contact please Valley For more information on the James Leal Centre and Roding Roding and Centre Leal James the on information more For exhibition on the areas wildlife and history. and wildlife areas the on exhibition for refreshments, toilets, stands to lock bicycles to and an an and to bicycles lock to stands toilets, refreshments, for people visiting/travelling along the Roding Valley, with a café café a with Valley, Roding the along visiting/travelling people James Leal Centre in Ray Park also provides a useful hub for for hub useful a provides also Park Ray in Centre Leal James although wellies are recommended in wet weather. The new new The weather. wet in recommended are wellies although Valley Meadows Nature Reserve is highly recommended, recommended, highly is Reserve Nature Meadows Valley commuter/cycle route. The walk from Redbridge to Roding Roding to Redbridge from walk The route. commuter/cycle centres/locations and as a green (off the road, traffic free) free) traffic road, the (off green a as and centres/locations access other parks in the area, as a shortcut to various town town various to shortcut a as area, the in parks other access horseride and fish. Many use the Roding Valley Way path to to path Way Valley Roding the use Many fish. and horseride Historic map of the former Wanstead estate before it was demolished was it before estate Wanstead former the of map Historic The River Roding and Roding Valley Park Valley Roding and Roding River The Roding Valley Roding travel, it is a place where you can enjoy nature, walk, cycle, cycle, walk, nature, enjoy can you where place a is it travel, county of Essex. Used by many for leisure, recreation and and recreation leisure, for many by Used Essex. of county into the Thames via Barking Creek. Barking via Thames the into London and provides a green link with the neighbouring neighbouring the with link green a provides and London Newham and Barking & Dagenham, finally draining draining finally Dagenham, & Barking and Newham during dry periods. periods. dry during The Roding Valley is a unique green space found in East East in found space green unique a is Valley Roding The Explore the the Explore through the London Boroughs of Redbridge, Redbridge, of Boroughs London the through soon after or during rainfall. The opposite is found found is opposite The rainfall. during or after soon Green (107m above sea level) in Essex, passing passing Essex, in level) sea above (107m Green rapidly to rainfall, with increased flow and volume volume and flow increased with rainfall, to rapidly James Leal Centre Leal James small, lowland clay river. It’s source lies in Molehill Molehill in lies source It’s river. clay lowland small, impermeable clays. This means it responds very very responds it means This clays. impermeable The River Roding, central to the Roding Valley, is a a is Valley, Roding the to central Roding, River The The valley, which the river flows through, lies on on lies through, flows river the which valley, The inside information Map and and Map Claybury Park covers almost over Valentines Park and Mansion Barking Park is the London And further afield ... Please visit www.redbridge.gov.uk 70 hectares, containing an ancient is situated near Ilford Town Centre. Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s Hainault Forest Country or www.woodlandtrust.org.uk or area of oak and hornbeam woodland The park has play facilities with large oldest park, opened in 1898. It has www.hainaultforest.co.uk for more (18 hectares) locally renowned areas for both younger and older a 910 metre long lake, playing fields Park and Hainault Forest information on the areas natural for its variety of woodland spring children featuring wooden natural and facilities for boating, bowls covers more than 316 hectares in total history and farm/visitor centre closing flowers, including bluebells, veteran play equipment. and football. Visit www.barking- with visitor facilities including a cafe, times. trees and fungi. The park (formerly dagenham.gov.uk for more info or toilets, visitor centre, zoo, woodland Valentines Mansion has recently Closest underground: Hainault private estate) was initially arranged call 020 8594 3698 adventure play areas, formal areas been restored to its former historical Nearest bus routes: 247, 362 by famous landscape designer Sir for sports and picnicking, ample car glory, boasting a restored Victorian Closest underground: Barking Humphrey Repton, during the 18th parking is also available. The large Kitchen, Georgian rooms and historic Nearest bus routes: 5, 62, 169, 179, Century. The park is made up of ancient woodland (146ha) and the Fairlop Waters covers walled gardens. The Mansion is now 387, 366, 369. extensive meadows, wildlife ponds, many fascinating ancient hornbeam approximately 145ha. Formerly a sand used for public viewing, community wetland areas, managed scrub land pollards and habitats are a highlight. and gravel quarry, it was restored in events, contemporary art exhibitions and many ancient/veteran trees, Barking Abbey Ruins A range of nature themed events and the 1980’s to a golf course, sailing and family activities and is also the site being managed for nature A local walled site at different activities are organised throughout lake, angling lake and nature reserve/ available for weddings and private conservation. levels, containing low level stone the year. country park. Notable for its birdlife it hire. Entrance is free and open to walls within Barking Town Quay is famed for its wintering populations Both areas are very important for A natural play area and outdoor Clayhall Park the public Tuesday – Wednesday Uphall Rec and Central Area Open Space. The Ripple Nature Reserve of golden plover and lapwing, nature conservation, being nationally gym will be installed at Claybury Park Please visit www.redbridge.gov.uk for 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm. Closest underground: Barking Recent archaeological excavations covers about 25 acres and is managed breeding populations of skylarks, designated as a SSSI (Special Site of in 2010. more information. Refreshments, snacks and hot drinks Closest mainline: Ilford have highlighted the site as one by London Wildlife Trust. Set among other less common/rare passing are also available from the gardener’s Scientific Interest). Please visit www.redbridge.gov.uk Nearest bus route: 169, 179, 369 of the most important religious the industrial landscape of Barking migrant birds, birds of prey, reptiles Closest underground: cottage café adjacent to the mansion. for more information including archaeological sites in Europe. It Riverside and once a dumping area Pay and Display car parking now and great crested newts. Redbridge, Gants Hill Please visit either www.redbridge.gov. downloadable versions of the walks is situated in Barking Town Centre for pulverised fuel ash, The Ripple applies at Hainault Forest Country Nearest bus routes: 462, 179, 123 uk or www.valentinesmansion.com Loxford Park The complex has a golf course, sailing leaflet. behind the Curfew Tower – once a provides a fascinating example of Park during opening hours. Vehicle for more information. Alternatively Closest underground: Barking centre, bar and restaurant facilities as Closest mainline: Ilford gatehouse to the Abbey. The Tower how nature can reclaim industrial gates shutting at dusk each day. well. Please visit www.redbridge.gov. Closest underground: call 020 8708 8100 is the only remaining structure still wasteland. Charge fees are £1.00 for two hours Fairlop, Woodford Nearest bus route: 366 uk for more information. Closest underground: Gants Hill standing. Also nearby is the historic Visit www.wildlondon.org.uk or and £2.00 all day. Nearest bus routes: Closest main line: Ilford Please visit www.redbridge.gov.uk for St Margaret’s parish church which has www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk for Hainault Forest Closest underground: Fairlop 169, 275 Nearest bus route: more information on these parks. a café. Visit www.barking-dagenham. more info Nearest bus rotes: 150, 167, 169, 247, © Sarah © White 275, 462 123,129, 150, 167, gov.uk for more info Closest underground: Upney 179, 296, 396, 462 Cormorants Closest underground: Barking Nearest bus routes: 369, 387 on Fairlop Valentines Mansion Nearest bus routes: 5, 62, 238, 287, Waters and Victorian kitchen 366, 368, 369, 387, 687. Claybury Woods Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve The nature reserve is a SSSI managed in partnership with Epping Forest District Council and the Grange Farm Ray Park, adjacent to the Roding Trust. These meadows were created by Valley and River Roding. Features drovers taking their cattle to market, include the James Leal Centre and a play now recreated using sporadic grazing area with tunnels, sand pit with fossils, from longhorn cattle, borrowed space net and bridge. Tennis courts from the City of London. The reserve and a basketball court are also present is excellent for flowers such as including a new multi use games area Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza called the Adizone, featuring outdoor praetermissa) and Devils Bit Scabious gym equipment, basketball court, covered (Succisa pratensis). area, climbing wall and dance zone. Closest underground: The James Leal Centre is a hub for the Loughton Roding Valley and includes a café serving Nearest bus hot food and drinks, classroom/meeting routes: 167 area, an exhibition hall with displays and interactive multi-media kiosks, as well as being home to the boroughs Nature Conservation Ranger Team. Bicycle stands James Leal are available outside the centre. The Centre centre is also available for parties and meetings. Please visit www.redbridge.gov.uk for more information. Closest underground: Woodford Nearest bus routes: 275, W14 Grazing long horn cattle at Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve Wetland area Elmhurst Gardens wildflower meadow Closest underground: Woodford Grey heron Nearest bus route: W14 (Ardea cinerea) (www.birdbrainuk.com) Lechmere Avenue An entrance to the Roding Valley Park with a new natural play area.