Tourism Around Thurrock
31 Jan
The Celts, Romans, Anglo Saxons and Normans all called this area of South West Essex home. Thurrock’s strategically important position along the northern bank of the Thames has always made it the guardian of London’s east flank. Preserved within this beautiful green belt is a natural habitat for many species of native British wildlife and examples of the rural way of life.
Visitors to the area can explore the timeless landscape of traditional English villages, vibrant wildlife parks teeming with plants, birds and animals. There are a number of significant monuments and churches and the area will provide memories a plenty.
Thurrock’s Hidden Treasures
Tilbury Fort, in the middle of the Tilbury Marshes, along with the later Coalhouse Fort and St Catherine’s Church a little further along the River Thames, sit guarding the entrance to the river. Tilbury Fort was built by King Henry VIII and modernised a number of times, decommissioned in the 1950’s and opened to the public. The Coalhouse Fort is much later and was built in 1860, it now contains a museum dedicated to the two World Wars.
St Clements Church is a marvellous old Grade I listed building in West Thurrock that was famously used in the film “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” This striking church is now right next to a large factory that has taken over responsibility for the up keep and maintenance of this 800 years old structure. The church once fallen into disrepair is now fully restored and has two early memorial brasses worth seeing.
Military Memories
Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre is the remains of the Royal Magazine, where gunpowder was tested and stored. It now holds an interesting collection of military exhibits including a special display dedicated to the Ghurkha regiments, women in war and the great zeppelins, one of which was shot down here in 1916.
Village life
Thurrock is awash with traditional English Villages, picturesque, verdant places with village greens, the country church and local pub, places like North Stifford, Orsett and Horndon with its wool market are classic examples of the idolised view of the once common village life.
Thurrock countryside
Rainham Marshes Reserve is another example of the preserved countryside being safely protected yet accessible to the public. The area is complete with boardwalks and a visitor centre to explain the importance of the area and the interesting species that live in the habitat. Langdon Hills Country Park is another wonderful green space available to enjoy, with its spectacular view across the Thames estuary and ancient woodlands to explore.
Staying in Thurrock
The Radisson Park Inn Hotel in Thurrock is the perfect place to stay for this delightful country getaway. Situated in a refurbished Georgian Manor House, amid six acres of beautifully designed gardens, the 97-room residence is only 20 minutes outside of London. This elegant setting contains completely modern facilities in the gloriously lavish surroundings.
As well as its accessibility to some of England’s most serene countryside the hotel is also within easy reach of the popular Bluewater and Lakeside shopping centres.






