HAVOC GLOSS - Hornchurch Country Park

Sun 29th Jun 2025

Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Forest, Parkland
League: GLOSS

Information updated: 11th Feb

Info

HAVOC round of the GLOSS (Greater London Orienteering Summer Series)

GLOSS is a series of races run by the clubs in and around London. There are two courses: the GLOSS course which is about 3½ to 4½ km (with optional extension to around 6 km) and is of moderate navigational difficulty and a 'Yellow' course which is about 2km with easier navigation. Navigate between control points - you decide the best route in order to complete the course in the quickest time. Beginners welcome

Location

Location map

Nearest town: Hornchurch

Directions / Parking

What3Words: arts.grand.guides

Car parking in the country park, adjacent to the Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre (run by the Essex Wildlife Trust), Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, RM12 6TS.

Car parking for competitors will be in a dedicated grass field, close to the visitor centre.  The event will be signed from the junction of Suttons Lane and Squadrons Approach.  The car park has a 6'6" height restriction.  Some limited space should be available for larger vehicles in the adjoining streets.  Car park grass area may be locked soon after the end of the event; use the hard-standing area if you intend to stay on after the event.

DIRECTIONS: From M25 J30 take the A13 westward towards London. At the next interchange take the A1306 towards Rainham: 3rd exit at first roundabout and 1st exit at the second. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit towards Rainham then, at the "Dovers Corner" roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A125 towards Romford. At the cross-roads/traffic lights turn right onto South End Road, signed Hornchurch. Continue for about 1.4 miles then 120 metres after a zebra crossing turn right at the traffic lights onto Airfield Way, signed to Hornchurch Country Park. Continue past Tesco then, at the sharp left hand bend, turn right onto Squadrons Approach then left into the country park.

From M25 J29 take the A127 west towards Romford. After 1.25 miles and just before the overbridge, turn onto the slip road, signed Upminster and Cranham, then turn left at the T junction. Continue to Upminster. At the crossroads/traffic lights turn right onto the A124 towards Hornchurch. Continue to the Hornchurch one-way system keeping left onto Station Lane. Continue past Hornchurch Station and the new St Georges Park development, then, at the sharp right hand bend, turn left onto Squadrons Approach & left into the country park.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: the nearest railway station is Hornchurch on the District Line - 1.4K. The 252 bus (15 min Sunday service) runs from outside of the station, just over the Pelican crossing. Take the bus to the Hornchurch Country Park stop. Continue in the same direction, there should be a path on the left leading into the country park car park. Event parking and registration will be in the grass area beyond.  (Note from Hornchurch station, the 256 bus goes only as far as the St Georges stop.)

Facilities

Toilets and refreshments are available at the Visitor Centre close to the car park. Please avoid taking any mud into the Visitor Centre. (From the entrance door, the toilets are past the reception counter then second door on the left and then on the left).

Terrain Description

On the site of the former RAF Hornchurch, this country park has a mixture of ecological interest as well as heritage. The area has been landscaped with blocks of woodland, lakes, open and rough-open areas. A mountain biking trail has been created along with a horse-ride in the south-western part of the area, known as Ingrebourne Hill. There are surfaced and unsurfaced paths throughout the park. Some structures from the RAF days can still be seen including pillboxes and Tett turrets. To the east is the Ingrebourne River and its flood plain which is a haven for birdlife. Further east are the Berwick Glades and Woods. The former is a relatively newly planted woodland and the later the site of old gravel workings much of which is overgrown by woodland.

Map at 1:10,000 with 2.5m contours at ISOM 2017 standard originally surveyed and drawn by Tom Edelsten. Updated in 2019, 2022, and 2024.  The mountain bike trail is indicated by a smaller than standard footpath symbol. A black X indicates gym or play equipment and a wide H a seat. A green dot indicates a small isolated tree or thicket. There are many mown paths which are indicated by narrow yellow strips. 

Registration & Start Times

Registration              Pre-entries only using Racesignup. 

Starts                        10.30 to 12.30

Courses close                        14.00

Start and finish will be close to the parking area.

Course Information

Yellow TBAk  TBAm

GLOSS TBAk  TBAm

Extension TBAk  TBAm

SIAC will be enabled, although competitors will need to punch the Check, Start, and Finish controls.

Entry Details

Entry in advance via RaceSignUp

Entries close at 4pm on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Standard entry

Seniors/groups:            £TBA   (£2 supplement for non-British Orienteering members)

Juniors (under 21):      £TBA

SI ‘dibber’ electronic timers will be used.  SI ‘dibber’ hire fee £1, or use your own.  

Contacts / Officials

Organiser: TBA

Planner: TBA

Controller: TBA

Dogs allowed?

Dogs on leads are welcome in the car park or local walks, but not on the courses as these pass through areas with goats & cattle

Safety and Risk

A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

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