please empty your brain below
I sense the discomfort you obviously felt walking this route, in your writing. Very brave of you...isolation, no escape, potential muggings and the pungent (even if semi treated) odour of North Londons turds). My hero

MO | 06.02.20 - 7:24 a.m. | #

Thanks for visiting and reporting because, let's be frank, most of us are highly unlikely to ever (want to) do so.

Frank F | 06.02.20 - 7:43 a.m. | #

I spotted this last week and was wondering whether it was worth investigating. I'm still not sure, I might try it on one of my weekly runs if the weather stays dry.

Paul Draper | 06.02.20 - 8:11 a.m. | #

There is a public footpath through Mogden Sewage works at Isleworth affording views and smells of the various stages of treatment.

Another water related but little known walk is the public footpath across Staines reservoir between Stanwell and Staines.

John | 06.02.20 - 9:28 a.m. | #

Still a better review than you gave Harold Hill the other day.

Old guy | 06.02.20 - 9:48 a.m. | #

Well done, thank you for exploring on our collective behalf. I confess to a fascination with with "forgotten corners" of our city. this one makes Tottenham marshes (behind IKEA) positively welcoming!

iain | 06.02.20 - 9:56 a.m. | #

A few years ago a friend and I attempted that walk by joining the trail at an entrance just past the Showcase cinema.

Unfortunately the path towards the nature reserve became so overgrown with brambles and nettles we had to give up before reaching the reserve.

Thanks to your exploring it, we may well give it another go when it’s a bit warmer.

Ray | 06.02.20 - 10:00 a.m. | #

In that location, I like the sheer monumentality of the Showcase sign, and also its lettering.

Jonathan Wadman | 06.02.20 - 10:02 a.m. | #

Judging by your picture, Thames Water have unwittingly succeeded in making the entrance to Beckton Creekway Nature Reserve resemble the main gates to Jurassic Park.

Arlu | 06.02.20 - 10:17 a.m. | #

iain, Tottenham Marshes are deeply offended. We are indeed welcoming, and have many Friends !

Tottenham Marshes | 06.02.20 - 10:24 a.m. | #

I feel a picnic coming on - not!! So many nicer places to watch waterside birds!

By the way, that was probably blackthorn blossom you saw. It blooms earlier than hawthorn (the 'May' flower) and the best way to tell the two apart is that it appears on leafless branches, whereas with hawthorn the leaves emerge first.
Come back after the first frosts later this year and you could pick some sloes to make sloe gin. Christmas presents sorted!

Cornish Cockney | 06.02.20 - 10:55 a.m. | #

There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

Having said that. Do you tell someone where you going when you go out (remote) exploring? Is your phone on for geo-tracking?

E | 06.02.20 - 11:30 a.m. | #

I made several trips to the Showcase Cinema when I was younger and never knew this was here (if it was even there) since I wasn't into nature at the time. Having read your review, I'm not sure I'm that worried about going there although you never know, maybe one day.

X-Plaistow | 06.02.20 - 11:35 a.m. | #

Thanks for an interesting post DG. I can now cross this site off my list of places to see.

I have less than fond memories of Jenkins Lane, as in the 1960’s it formed part of my senior school’s “Cross-Country” running course, used when the school’s playing fields were too wet or icy for Games lessons. We had to run round the fields, leave by the back gate, go out and back along Jenkins Lane, then return the same way to do another lap of the school grounds.

It was an intimidating environment even then, complete with Electricity Pylons, the East Ham Sewage Works, assorted metal-working and scrap yards, etc. In addition, Beckton Gas Works was still in operation, and if the wind was in the wrong direction, we were able to enjoy its unique atmosphere as we ran round. Nice.

We were told it was suitably character-building, and never did us any harm, allegedly.

IanD | 06.02.20 - 1:36 p.m. | #

I find the seriously out of the way places are those you are least likely to meet a mugger - or not one looking to do a mugging. If you accidentally pass a shifty looking person there might be a body somewhere but that crime has already been committed. It's the so-called public places in built up areas that give me the willies.

B | 06.02.20 - 6:26 p.m. | #

Absolutely fascinating post.

As one of the photos you took and linked to shows, the riverside part of central Barking has been smartened up considerably (although the hum of the nearby A406 might not improve matters). The area further south...not so much.

As for the accurately described "notorious River Road", the last time I went down there (maybe 15 years ago), there was a big Met Police yellow board up asking for witnesses to a kidnapping that had occured down there...

Dominic H | 06.02.20 - 8:05 p.m. | #

Been there a few times on my bike. I go right up to the end and sit on the river wall near the barrier. I like it. You are surrounded by London with some great views but it’s so quiet and feels miles away from anywhere.

M | 06.02.20 - 11:28 p.m. | #

I must admit to having a fondness for these marginal habitats and forgotten landscapes. Despite having lived in the area and walking to the cinema on multiple occasions I too never knew of this reserve's existence. Thank you for bringing it to our attention dg - I am tempted.

Michael T | 07.02.20 - 6:35 a.m. | #

yesterday I managed to get down to the front along the thames/beckton sewage path (the red line on your map). the gate was open (which is normally shut). fascinating bit of path, looking on to the disused jetty. I took some photos (on my insta link).

I have been here before but last time only to the barrier as gate was shut. It did feel a little un nerving i.e. perfect murder zone (no witnesses and plenty of places to hide the body)... but I try bury those thoughts and carry on... else I would never visit anywhere! great read btw

orlando | Homepage | 01.07.20 - 10:35 a.m. | #

Thanks orlando - it's great to know it's possible to get to the end, properly up close to the flood barrier.

Great photos (and great website) too!

diamond geezer | Homepage | 01.07.20 - 12:00 p.m. | #

thanks, glad you like it. I'm not sure how long the gate will be open for so maybe worth visiting soon?!

my ambition is/was to walk along the thames all the way (in stages) from docklands to canvey island, then do the south side, greenwich to hoo peninsula... (not sure why just fascinated by the area).

(anyway I accidentally clicked unsubscribe so resubscribing to this website as there's tons of fascinating pics and blogs to go through)... cheers

orlando | Homepage | 01.07.20 - 6:44 p.m. | #

I did this walk today spontaneously after spotting the footpath sign on Jenkins Lane. Glad to know I was not alone in feeling deeply unsettled by it. I was unaware that it was a dead end, so pushed on in the hope of ending up back at Gallions Reach. Alas, I hit a dead end past the open gate that orlando mentioned. I would definitely encourage you to take a deep breath and try it DG - stunning secluded views over the Thames and creekmouth that rival Footpath 47. The fact that Showcase now lies empty added to the eerie vibe - I triggered an automated warning to leave the area or the police would be called on my return cut across the old carpark!

BP | 07.07.22 - 10:20 p.m. | #











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