‘Fancy a green escape on London’s edge? Right here stands the Thames Chase Visitor Centre. It’s your gateway to a revitalized landscape. This isn’t just any visitor center. It is a place where history and nature intertwine.
Thames Chase Community Forest spans 40 square miles. It covers parts of Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham, Brentwood, and Havering. The Thames Chase Trust manages this community forest. They mainly use volunteers. Their aim is to improve the landscape and enhance the natural environment through tree planting.
The Thames Chase Forest Centre sits at the heart of this community forest. It occupies historic farm buildings. Inside, find a stunning wooden-framed visitor center. Once a working farm, locals knew this woodland as Broadfields. Today, you will find trails, ponds, meadows, and an orchard.
Established in 1990, Thames Chase aims to renew the landscape. It wants to create a varied, wooded landscape for people to enjoy. The community forest covers 9842 hectares. That’s about 38 square miles across 47 sites in London and Essex. Forestry England manages 140 acres of new woodlands, meadows, and ponds. This benefits people, nature, and the climate.
The 17th-century Essex Barn is well-preserved. The Ford education room, converted from a cart shed, hosts schools and community groups. It serves as a conference center. It is also a place for private celebrations.
Planning your visit to the Thames Chase Visitor Centre? The address is accessible via Pike Lane. Car parking costs 1 pound for the whole day in winter. It is 2 pounds for all-day parking in summer. You can reach Pike Lane from St. Mary’s Lane and Ockendon Road. The closest station is Upminster. Several bus routes get close to the Centre. These include the 248, 346, 347, and 370.
The Thames Chase Visitor Centre is open from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and weekends during the summer. In winter, it is open from 10 am to 4 pm. Facilities include car parking, toilets, and a café.
Thames Chase isn’t just a forest. It is a mosaic of woods, nature areas, and open public spaces. It is ideal for walkers. Some parts are suitable for horse riding. Discover places like Oakwood and Ash Plantation. Explore Davy Down Riverside Park and Mardyke Valley. Visit Belhus Woods Country Park, Broom Hill, and Low Well Wood. Don’t miss Millard’s Garden, Brannett’s Wood, and Hangman’s Wood.
Step inside the Thames Chase Visitor Centre. Discover the beauty and history of this unique community forest. Whether you are here for a family visit, group activity, or dog walk, there is something for everyone. Thames Chase is a true oasis. It offers calm in an increasingly hectic world.