Just Walk Programme
Self Walk Map
Eastbrookend Country Park and Chase Local Nature Reserve
Time
Approximately 55 minutes.
Distance
Approximately 3.5kms/2 miles.
Route information (e.g. flat, easy walking)
Uneven terrain, muddy patches likely.
Footpath information
Footpaths and grass, several stiles and steps.
Start point
The Millennium Centre, The Chase, Dagenham Road, Rush Green.
Accessible
Not accessible as there are squeeze gates, stiles and muddy patches.
Wildlife to look out for
Skylarks - they nest in the grassland and can be identified by their continuous singing as they hang in the sky.
Herons and Cormorants - perched around the lakes these large birds are accomplished fishermen.
Kingfisher - the small exotic looking bird can be seen along the River Rom.
Health fact
Regular exercise can help to control body weight.
Points of interest
The Millennium Centre is a visitor and education centre and opened in 1997. It is the best example in the borough of an environmentally friendly 'building of the future'. Come in and have a look around!
The Eastbrookend Country Park was once gravel pits and a dumping ground, today it is an attractive area of lakes, grassy banks and busy areas.
The Chase Local Nature Reserve is the largest one managed by London Wildlife Trust and is 120 acres of diverse habitats that include shallow wetlands, reed beds, horse-grazed pasture, woodland and scrub.
Millennium Centre: 020 8595 4155 - call for opening hours.
Transport links
Buses: 174 or 175 and then a 15 minute walk
Tube: 15 minutes walk from Dagenham East District Line Station
Step by Step - Eastbrookend Country Park and Chase Local Nature Reserve Walk
From the Millennium Centre car park, off Dagenham Road, enter the Eastbrookend Country Park through the access gate on the left hand side.
Follow this footpath and walk past the visitor centre on your right. Continue straight ahead, passing the wood stump with an arrow on it, until the path splits.
Turn right and immediately left and walk past the Bardag Lake on your left. At the end of the path turn left and walk past or over the viewing mound.
Continue along the footpath until you come to a squeeze gate on your right. Pass through the squeeze gate onto the chase Local Nature Reserve (managed by London Wildlife Trust) and turn left. Continue walking alongside the fence line and turn left when the fence does.
Continue straight down to the other end passing through the horseradish plants on the path.
Continue straight but before you reach the end there is a stile on the right hand side that you need to cross over.
Follow the steps and bear right towards Hooks Hall Pond and walk with it alongside you on the left. Cross over the stile on the right and turn left. Head straight towards the fence line in the distance over a small hill and bear to the left. Walk in between the fences and turn right when the fence does.
Proceed to the fence on the left and pass through it onto the road; re-enter the reserve through the fence on the opposite side. This path follows the River Rom. Continue along this path for quite some way.
You will pass 2 benches on the left hand side just before a left turn in the break of a fence line. Pass this turning and take the next left following the boardwalk. Continue along this path, through the gate and to the end, just before reaching the road turn left.
Follow the path round to the left and continue straight along the path. Bear round to the left and walk between the 2 White Hart Lakes.
Follow the path to the road, carefully cross over the re-enter the Millennium Centre car park through the squeeze gate on the opposite side.
Feel free to come into the Millennium Centre and look around.
Route map
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Click image for larger version.
