We love welcoming thousands of dog walkers to the Community Forest throughout the year, and especially those who visit the Forest Centre.
With the Thames Chase 10k run and family fun run on Sunday 2 June at the Broadfields site, it’s a great opportunity for dog walkers to check out one of the 47 other significant woodlands, fields and meadows that make up the Thames Chase Community Forest.
The 10k and fun run will be a busy event, with over 300 people now registered to participate, with runners arriving from 8:00 in the morning and the run going through to around 13:00.
As such, dog walkers are encouraged to explore other sites across the Community Forest.
Popular sites close to Broadfields
The largest of the Forestry England-managed sites within the Community Forest, this is a haven for dog walkers and horse riders alike. A new set of sculptures line the paths, which have been surfaced recently, and there’s a huge array of wildlife living in the meadows and wildflowers. You can also enjoy crossing over the Ingrebourne River.
A vast area of common land between Brentwood and Harold Wood, just to the north of Upminster, this is a great spot for dog walking and horse riding (so keep those dogs close!). Parking on site at the entrance, too.
At the far north of modern-day Upminster and Cranham, Pot Kiln Wood is an idyllic short walk, suitable for young legs as well as more experienced. Limited parking opportunities on nearby roads. The site is managed by the Woodland Trust.
A prime example of some of the original marshland found across the historic ‘Land of the Fanns’ – including some of the best examples of sedge fen in Essex. Situated between Park Drive to the west (best spot for parking) and All Saints Church to the east, there’s a lovely flattened walkway between fields, forests, farmland and reed beds.
Historic site of the local clay pits and kilns, the Brickfields paths have been recently relaid. A combination of hedgerow, woodland and a couple of ponds, there’s a playpark to the north (near Sunnycroft Gardens, where there is a small parking area). A cuckoo has been heard in the woods recently, and it’s nearly time to see those dragonflies and amphibians.
With parking at the entrance to Folkes Lane Wood, this picturesque spot looks out across East London from the top of the hill. Terrific for dog walkers – and a top destination for sledging when it snows!
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