We’ve been meaning to visit @rspb_love_nature Rainham Marshes for a while and we finally managed it last weekend on a glorious sunny autumnal Saturday. Many of my favourite green spaces are urban wildernesses - places which are skirted by roads or railways but somehow feel even more the wilder for their close proximity to civilisation. And such is Rainham Marsh - as you wander the main 2-3 mile walking circuit across reed bed boardwalks, you can hear the background buzz of A13 traffic, fast trains, and the crackle of electricity pylons heading overhead as well as the warbles and honks of the birdlife. What’s more, Rainham Marsh was also used as a lookout during WWI, for soldiers watching out for enemy submarines sneaking up the Thames - and is dotted by atmospheric reminders of this time including a gun pillbox, numbered shooting targets and a mural celebrating a supposed downing of a German zeppelin. I haven’t even mentioned the stuff for kids - although some of this was closed as we’re in lockdown there is a family friendly walk that goes past the adventure playground, climbing boulders, a giant play anthill (a small hill with tunnels) and a Marsh discovery centre. We’ll definitely be returning when they have reopened. How to get there: We’re lucky enough to have our ancient old LPG powered campervan so drive here from Hackney via the A12 and A13. But you can also train it to either West Ham or Barking and then get the c2c bus to Purfleet. The marsh is a 17 minute walk from there. #rspb_love_nature #rspb #rspbimages #rainhammarshes #rainhammarshesrspb #ww1history #hackneyoutdoors #londondaysout #londongreenspaces #outdoorlearning #greenparenting #birdwatching #autumnwatch #birding #marshes #london #outdooractivities (at RSPB Rainham Marshes) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHaEvTuhaOX/?igshid=1jt7egsq8m98n
