Thorndon North EAL & SWELL

Sun 04th Oct 2026

Type of event: Regional
Type of terrain: Forest, Parkland
League: SWELL, EAL

Information updated: 12th Sep

Info

Regional ranking event incorporating the 3rd event of the 2026/27 SWELL (South & West Essex Local League) season and a round of the 2026/27 East Anglian League (EAL), as well as the CHIG & DFOK Club Champs.

The event is open to orienteers of all abilities and is suitable for newcomers.

Note: BOF insurance rules changed on 1st Jan 2026, so non members will no longer be covered by BOF public liability insurance, and will be competing at their own risk.  Details here.  Competitors are encouraged to join an Orienteering club, and new HAVOC members will be eligible to free entry at this, and subsequent HAVOC Forest events.  Details for how to join HAVOC are here. 

If you enter this event as an Independent, and subsequently join HAVOC, then we will refund your entry to this event.  Please contact the membership secretary () to avail yourself of this offer.

Location

Location map

Nearest town: Brentwood

Directions / Parking

Parking and the Event centre will be at the 2nd (Eastern most) car park within the Thorndon North Country Park.  CM13 3RZ

From M25 J28 (A12/A1023 junction):  Follow the road signs towards Brentwood (A1023). Go straight on at the first set of traffic lights.  Turn right at the second set of traffic lights onto Mascalls Lane. After one mile, go straight on at the next set of traffic lights onto Eagle Way/The Avenue, and after another mile turn right into  Thorndon Country Park.  Continue past the 1st main car park (which is adjacent to the visitor centre and toilets), and park in the 2nd (Eastern) car park. 

Note: The toilets are a 450m walk back from the event car park / assembly and competitors may want to stop off in the 1st car park to use the toilets, before travelling on to the 2nd event car park.

Essex County Council car parking charges apply of £3.15 for 1 hr, £4.40 for 2 hrs, £5.50 for up to 4 hrs. Payment by MIPermit, or by credit card at the car park machines (no cash payments).  The car park charges go towards maintaining and improving the park and visitor facilities.

The nearest railway station is Brentwood (Tfl Rail) - 2.5 miles.
 

Facilities

Refreshments and toilets are available at the Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) Visitor Centre (CM13 3RZ). For the young and young at heart, there is a Gruffalo Trail, maps available from the Visitor Centre. 

Terrain Description

Thorndon Park is an area of mature mixed woodland with some open and semi-open areas and a good path network. Longer courses go into the southern area of fields and more recently created woodland.  We have not been able to use this good orienteering area since April 2019, due to parking concerns, but it has now been fully re-mapped specially for this event.

The map is A4-sized at 1:10,000 for Brown & Blue, and 1:7,500 for all other courses. Control descriptions will be printed on the map, and loose descriptions available in the Start lanes.

Single purple X's on the map indicate gates that are locked. It is recommended to use an alternative crossing point nearby. Many of the fences are for controlling stock grazing and have strands of barbed wire on top and will be difficult to cross for all but the most agile competitors.

A black O on the map indicates a sculpture or a small fenced enclosure. None of these features are used for control sites.

Full leg cover is recommended due to high vegetation.

Registration & Start Times

Enquiries: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. 
Starts: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Courses close: 2:00 pm

 

Course Information

Full range of courses suitable for adult and junior beginners, and experienced orienteers. 

Indicative course details, subject to final planning are:

White     1.5km    10controls    1:7500
Yellow    2.3km    13controls    1:7500
Orange   2.9km    11controls    1:7500
Lt Green  3.5km    13controls    1:7500
Sh Green  3.3km    17controls    1:7500
Green    4.4km    21 controls    1:7500
Blue     6.5km    21controls    1:10,000
Brown    8.5km    30controls    1:10,000

Help and coaching will be available for beginners and improvers.

White & Yellow have written descriptions. All other courses have pictorial descriptions. Loose descriptions will be available at the Start.

SIAC will be enabled.  However, all Competitors will need to punch the Start and Finish controls.

Entry Details

Entry in advance via RaceSignUp.  Entries close 4pm, Saturday 3th October.

Standard entry (until midnight, Sunday September 20th)

Seniors/groups:            £11  (£2 supplement for non-British Orienteering members)

Juniors (under 21):      £4  

Late entry (from Monday September 21st)

Seniors/groups:            £13   (£2 supplement for non-British Orienteering members)

Juniors (under 21):      £4

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

Contacts / Officials

Organiser: Colin Jackson (email: )

Planner: Graham Batty

Controller: 

Dogs allowed?

Dogs are welcome, but should be kept on a lead at all times, and not interfere with other competitors / park users.

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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