Thurrock – Here’s Where to Take Your #FakeCommute

Published: 23/02/21

 

The sun has been making an appearance as of late, which makes going out and getting some fresh air a bit more attractive.

ForwardMotion’s #FakeCommute campaign encourages you to begin a new fake commute from home to home. Whether this is before, during or after work, the end goal is to help people working from home to get back into their active routine to benefit their physical and mental health.

Click here to find more about the campaign.

For our Thurrock based readers, we have a list of places you should explore on your new #FakeCommute.

Langdon Hills Country Park

Langdon Hills Park has two main areas, One Tree Hill and Westley Heights. This park boasts 400 acres of land that looks over the Thames Estuary. In the spring flowers coat the meadow, so this enchanting walk will be perfect in the upcoming sunny days. If walking isn’t really your thing, there’s also access to great cycle tracks linking the surrounding countryside and even bridle paths.

This park has been awarded the Green Flag Award and is also a designated Living Landscape area!

https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/langdon-hills-country-park/overview

Thameside Nature Discovery Park

Believe it or not, this centre was once a landfill site, but don’t let that deter you. This site has 120 acres of park to explore, with great birdwatching, insect-finding and ship watching. The park is home to many species like barn owls, water voles, skylarks and many more; so, if you’re an animal lover this park is the spot for you. You can also soak in 360-degree views of the park and the Thames from the rooftop viewing deck.

There are footpaths, cycleways and bridle paths which are also on the Thames Estuary path route which extends to 27 miles from Tilbury town through to Leigh On Sea.

https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/thurrock-thameside

Rainham Marshes

These 411 hectares of ancient, low-lying marsh is another place that is a haven for wildlife. With birds, water voles, dragonflies and many more calling the marsh their home. As a former military firing range, the reserve is developing into a great place for wildlife to thrive with lots of former military heritage still to be seen.

Explore what these ancient and historic marshes have to offer by foot or by bike.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/rainham-marshes/

Belhus Woods Country Park

With over 300 acres, this park has woodlands, meadows, lakes, and a children’s play area. There are both open and dense areas of woodland across the flat terrain. This place is great for keen bird watchers with mute swans, woodpeckers, kestrels and even kingfishers.  You can pass through many different habitats like ancient woodland, coppice plantations, wildflower meadows and large lakes. Keen cyclist? Belhus woods has great cycle paths that take you through all different surroundings, with the flat terrain being fantastic for novice cyclists and families. There are also bike racks available should you need to stop for a tea break.

https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/belhus-woods-country-park

Davy Down Riverside Park

This 32-acre park is home to open areas, woods, ponds and is the gateway to the Mardyke Valley.

The Mardyke River is a slow running river that provides a habitat suitable for floodplain or water meadow loving species like water voles, marsh frogs and if you’re lucky you may see a kingfisher zip past you. This area is ideal for walkers and ramblers as well as having hard surfaces paths that are wheelchair and buggy friendly.

https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/davy-down-riverside-park/overview

To get involved with the #FakeCommute campaign, post a selfie or a pic of the view and tag us @fowardmotionsouthessex. We want you to encourage your south Essex neighbours to get active with their families too. So, grab your trainers and start your #FakeCommute today!

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