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Ilford — Chigwell

Ilfchi two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By Strider on 29 Nov 2024

Distance

9km/5mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

Three and a half years in to Slow Ways and no one had done Ilfchi one.
Perhaps because it looked like a monotonous road walk (although it may be an interesting wheelable route, so don't dismiss it).
However, here is a route that tries to maximise green, and minimise busy roads.
And you might make a friend in Valentines Park

Three and a half years in to Slow Ways and no one had done Ilfchi one.
Perhaps because it looked like a monotonous road walk (although it may be an interesting wheelable route, so don't dismiss it).
However, here is a route that tries to maximise green, and minimise busy roads.
And you might make a friend in Valentines Park

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Ilfchi two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.

Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 4

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.		 Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Long grass sections (0)
Present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 60.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 8.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 4.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 3.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

70.0% of the route is on roads (1)

70.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

70.0% of the route is paved (1)

10.0% of the route is muddy (1)

5.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

10.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X November 2024 by Strider
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Ilford
Grid Ref TQ4360386522
Lat / Lon 51.55931° / 0.07019°
Easting / Northing 543,603E / 186,522N
What3Words cafe.bricks.frame
Chigwell
Grid Ref TQ4370493045
Lat / Lon 51.61789° / 0.07432°
Easting / Northing 543,704E / 193,045N
What3Words dame.remark.rots

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews

JohnMyerson

17 Jan 2025 Winter
Report

Apart from the quiet street walking this route was very pleasant. I started from Ilford. Valentines and Claybury Parks are lovely. There are toilets at Ilford Station, in the Exchange Centre opposite the station, in Valentines Park near the café and at Chigwell Station. I found a footpath shortcut off Rushden Gardens to Tiptree Crescent that saves about 85 metres! It's a pity the gate into Hazel Lane from Claybury Park is locked. I didn't find the lack of pavement in Forest Lane too much of a problem although the pavement into Chigwell on the east side of the High Road doesn't continue.

Dan B - Slow Ways

09 Dec 2024 Autumn
Report

I was pleased to have an excuse to get back to Valentines Park as it was a regular venue for my lockdown cycles but I haven't been there for ages. It's still a great East London park and has a cafe and toilets. Also enjoyed the section of green at Clayhall Woods at the other end of the walk.

In between is a straight forward and fairly samey series of residential surburban streets but it was largely quiet and away from main roads which I appreciated.

At the Chigwell end there are lots of big houses and a couple of stretches of roads with no pavements as referenced by Strider.

Strider

29 Nov 2024 Autumn
Report

I walked from Ilford to Chigwell on a sunny autumn day.
Cross the road from the station (coffee) and walk along the high street with interesting shops and buildings then into Valentines Park. The inhabitants are very friendly, squirrels, crows and wild fowl will come very close if you're calm, they want food. Good toilets on route. The Park closes at Dusk. There is a subway and traffic light crossings at Gants Hill, easy going. Then a series of quiet suburban roads with a variety of front garden styles, not exciting but not boring either. Then an uphill across Hospital Hill. I'd hoped to walk through Repton Park but this is a gated community, a very locked gate community, so an early exit to the busy Tomswood Hill Road was necessary. Forest Lane does not have a pavement !! Perhaps the non-walking mansion owners could not afford one? I walked on the East side of Chigwell High Road as my feet enjoyed the variety of surfaces, but the West side offers a good even pavement. Chigwell station is on the Circle line. Moka the Café opposite is a bit over priced but probably worth it. Shops close by.
Not a bad walk in that there are no bad bits, and there are some really nice parts. 3.5 stars probably. Simple direct and varied.

  • Dan B - Slow Ways

    Dan B - Slow Ways

    09 Dec 2024

    Ha! I was really wondering why they don't have a pavement on that street of mansions!

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Other Routes for Ilford—Chigwell See all Slow Ways

Ilford—Chigwell

Ilfchi one

U U

Distance

8km/5mi

Ascent

36 m

Descent

66 m

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