Davy Down
32ac/13ha
Grid ref: TQ 594 802
Updated 31/12/2023.
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Former farmland in the Mardyke valley that has been planted up and landscaped. It includes a pumping station built originally to house huge diesel pumps extracting water from a borehole in the chalk below, now replaced by an electric pump. It is overlooked by a 19th century railway viaduct.
It has meadows running along the Mar Dyke, maturing woodland, ponds and a small wetland. The Mar Dyke has water voles and has recently been colonised by marsh frogs.
Beyond the railway viaduct the Mardyke Way footpath runs through floodplain meadows.
Visiting
On the B186 (Pilgrims Lane) between South Ockendon and Chafford Hundred. Leave the A13(T) or the M25 at their junction and head east on the A1306 towards Chafford Hundred/Grays, turning right where it crosses the B186. The entry is on the left about 200m up. SatNav: RM16 5UL.
Bus services from Romford to Lakeside run along Pilgrims Lane.
Accessible at all times.
Surfaced paths run all round the site.
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