Ilfrom two

Verified Slow Way

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Walked this from Ilford to Romford. Direct and easy to navigate, so you can focus on conversation with anyone you're walking with or look around at the shops and high streets you pass by. The most interesting parts for me were coming across the Havering Stone and crossing the River Rom, but not sure I enjoyed the walk itself (though enjoyed the company!). It is, however, a typical London walk to/from places where you have a selection of food or drink pitstops.

That said, while it's a very practical walk, a few (personal) issues:
- Lots of traffic, so it's very noisy and polluted most of the way.
- Due to this following a main road, you have to be vigilant in watching out for turning vehicles at crossings (highway code isn't really followed unfortunately)
- Again, because this follows the main road, you could hop onto a bus the whole way and see the same things without being exposed to air and noise pollution.

We walked from Ilford to Romford.
This is the most direct route between these two towns, easy navigation in a straight line along a Roman road. Lots of hustle and bustle alongside a busy car filled road with lots going on. More architectural interest (eg Gurdwaras) and shops on the half closer to Ilford. Paved all the way, but narrow in places, fine for wheels.

I've walked both Ilfrom routes. One is longer but quiet with wider, less congested pavements, better for wheels and running perhaps. Two is direct with road crossings and street furniture by a busy road for those in a hurry or enjoy shops and cafes.

Cafes, shops and pubs at both ends. And yes the Maldon Gold in The Goose opposite Romford station was a good thirst quencher at the end of a sunny Autumn day.

Direct and safe but rather relentless. This route follows High Road for almost its entire length. This has advantages and disadvantages. For fans of directness, commerce and architecture this is definitely the way to go. There always seems to be something to see, but this gradually peters out as you approach The Havering Stone (a boundary stone). Greenery can be seen briefly, although not walked amongst. The edge of Romford is comparably leafy and this builds up, as do the buildings, to the Brewery (a shopping centre). You get a brief view of the River Rom as it makes its way under the town. There are no steps, stiles or tricky crossings. This might not be a Slow Way for all tastes, but you couldn't accuse it of being a jack of all trades!.

Walked from Ilford to Romford, last leg of a six part walk from Kings Cross/St Pancras, and unfortunately the least interesting of the six. On the plus side, it is very direct and easy to follow, as most of it follows the pavement of the main road.

There are two points where there is an element of danger in the road crossings - the worst is Aldborough Road South, where I saw at least one car turning left at speed without indicating. The other is the left filter lane into Cameron Road by Seven Kings station (which looks pedestrianised at first glance but isn't). These pavements are well used by locals, so maybe the risks seemed worse than they are. The roads get quieter and there is some adjacent greenery as we approach the edge of Romford, and I can recommend the Maldon Gold in the Goose pub opposite Romford station.

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