Rombre three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

We walked from Romford to Brentwood on a chilly day that warmed up later.
The first part out of Romford is along quite grey roads but the rest of the way is green and pleasant. Parks, Nature reserves, common land and farm fields. Although there were some muddy parts close to the M25 crossing, most paths were in good order. Brief intervals on quiet roads. Terrain was quite undulating with some steeper parts. A very nice walk, enjoyable and varied, shops pubs etc at either end but no facilities in the middle.
Barriers and stiles mean wheels are excluded.

An enjoyable, safe and direct route. The first section in Romford is unsurprisingly urban and very easy to follow. There's only one road that provided even the slightest challenge to cross. Beyond the lovely Harold Wood Park and a brief flirtation with the London Loop the walk takes on a decidedly rural feel. The countryside undulates and the reward is some great views of London. Crossing Tyler's Common presents challenges as there doesn't appear to be an "official" entrance from the south west. The stiles before you cross the M25 by road bridge were in poor repair and lower lying sections of path were decidedly boggy. Having entered Essex (the official county anyway) there are more paths and some lane walking, although this is reasonably short and local drivers seem considerate. It seemed that in no time you're in Brentwood. It was my first visit and I was rather taken with it. The last section is residential and then commercial, amongst the multitude of independent shops. I think this could be the best way to walk this. Full marks!.

Walked from Romford to Brentwood as part of a group, on a fine winter day. In retrospect we could easily have tried to stick to Rombre two, but this version reflects what we actually walked, and works fine, though there are a couple of wet muddy sections and a little road walking that needs a little care. There are a few stiles, so it is not wheel friendly.

From Romford all is easy pavement walking as far as the A127. The crossing used on this route has a central refuge but no lights, so requires a little care - there is a pelican crossing to the north but it is some distance from the route (see RomBre two). A little alleyway takes us to more residential streets and a park, where we briefly join the London loop. The paths through Pages Wood are well used and easy to follow. Resist the temptation to cross Warley Road too early, as there is no pavement on the north side. This route takes the first easy entrance into Tyler's Common, and used well used paths to reach the north-east corner.

Here we cross a gateway where the waterlogged mud was difficult to avoid, though it was not deep enough to get the boots wet. There is one slightly awkward stile and more mud before we reach the M25 bridge. Beyond the bridge the path is easy and clearly marked. Great Ropers Lane is quiet, but the short section along Mascalls Lane requires a little care. The reward is the excellent track through Warley Country Park, and once the houses are reached the rest of the walk is on pavements with safe crossings.

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