Thordon Country Park - 3.8 miles

We met in the South car park of Thorndon Country Path from which you can see right across industrial Essex and beyond to the QEII bridge. Under the leadership of Peter O'Neill, we skirted a golf course and woodland on our way up to Herongate.

After pausing on a small green we joined a path for a fine woodland walk which culminated with our arrival at the picturesque Old Hall Pond.

Before returning to the car park Peter took us down to the Church of All Saints East Hordon.

The church, cut off by new roads, has fallen into disuse and is no longer used for regular services.

It is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. The brick structure is in good condition but an outbuilding is in a state of collapse. The graveyard which is still in use, hosts stones of 300 years old.

The walk to the church is less salubrious so I have tagged this on as an addition for those who are intrigued by this isolated building set on a lonely hill.

1. Start

Walk back along the length of the car park and, where the approach road swings to the right, go left onto the verge and cross the A128 with care.

Go left and right at the approach to the South East Essex Golf and Country Club. Keep to verges until you reach buildings.

2. 0.4 miles/0.6km

Turn left immediately before the Stonyhill Indoor Bowls Club and walk over gravel to go left and climb a bank.

Follow this path crossing two others and swing gently to the right alongside Stonyhill Wood. Go left on a wide track straight through the wood to a plank bridge and waymarker.

Turn right along the edge of the golf course. Join a track which climbs slightly to the right, you should be walking along a slither of uncultivated countryside with a hedge to the right.

Go past one waymarker and left at a second to cross a sleeper bridge. You now continue forward over the edge of the course, curving to the right on approaching young trees and going left on a wide hedged area.

After a few metres go right with a hedge and soon going left with a ditch. Keep to this line until a waymarker, almost at the end of the course takes you right then left.

Almost immediately you go left again to resume your original direction. Go right at a gate and left at the end of a car park to reach the road alongside the Old Dog Inn.

3. 1.2 miles/1.9km

Go left to pass through the hamlet of Mount Thrift. At the end of the line of houses go right along the drive to Heron Hall Farm (this is what some outsiders think of as typical Essex Countryside - flat with big skies).

At the first field boundary go left at a metal finger-post. Keep forward along field edges crossing two bridges and then curving left to the hard-standing of Fouchers Farm.

Go left keeping to the right of the first buildings and passing in front of the farmhouse with its attractive pond. Arrive at a road.

4. 2.2 miles/3.5km

Turn right. Continue with the main road, passing the Boar's Head at a junction and keep forward along a small green (this is where my walking companions took a short break - over to the right is the Rambler-friendly Green Man).

Go left over grass by a bus shelter and enter woodland in the right-hand corner through a barrier.

Keep to the main path, going through a gate on the way, for about mile. You eventually reach a waymarker with a green Wildside Walk' marker.

5. 3.2 miles/5.1km

Go right down the slope, through a picnic area and over a board walk to turn left at the next track.

Another board walk to the left takes you under an attractive arch of willows and you emerge with Old Hall Pond on your left.

At the end of the pond go left and continue slightly uphill, swinging gently to the right.

Follow this main track, eventually you will see the refreshment area and lavatories over to your right and you can return to you car.

For those who have been intrigued by the sight of the church on the next hillock there is a little bonus of about a mile:

1. Start

Walk down the bank from the café (there is a path which links drainage inspection covers but any route will do).

On reaching a path in front of the line of trees go left but look out for a path going right, any one of these will take you to a narrower earth path passing in front of a hedge. Go left.

At the end of the hedge go right through a narrow gap to reach yet another path where you turn right, then left.

On your left you will find a barrier, go past this and then a second on to a road.

2. 0.4 miles/0.6 km

Go right follow this, the old Tilbury Road to go between barrier post and turn left up the A127 slip road.

Halfway up you will be surprised by a flight of steps on the left. At the top is a stile. Go left and continue up past the church and then turn right into the churchyard.

3. 0.7 miles/1.1km

When you have finished your visit, continue up the track. Go right at the road and left along the entrance drive to the car park.

Starting Point/Parking: Thordon Country Park, South entrance. This is indicated by a brown sign off the A128 near its junction with the A127.

It is best to park at the far end near the refreshment and lavatory kiosk. There is a charge of £2 for parking.

Distance: The main walk is 3.8 miles (6km), if you visit the church you will go an additional mile

Time: Two hours for the main walk

Terrain: Mostly flat with some gentle inclines.

Suitability for Dogs: Good; you are likely to see several people withtheir dogs in the park (remember that dogs need to be kept under control in fields where there is livestock and at times when birds are nesting)

Stiles: One on the church visit

Near: Brentwood

Refreshments: There are four pub locations marked on the map. The Green Man is the most walker-friendly

Public Toilets: At the start

Public Transport: None

Map and Grid Reference: Explorer 175 633 899

More information: This walk was organised by the Havering & East London Ramblers. It runs three or four walks each week and is one of the few groups to welcome dogs on some of its outings.