Having completed the Capital Ring, GOC London's next project is to circumnavigate our city by means of of London's Outer Orbital Path, or London Loop. This path at 150 miles is almost twice the length of the Capital Ring and generally passes through outer London rather than inner London, and entering  more sections of true countryside.

Today we commence the first section of the London LOOP. From Erith station we follow the Thames to the boundary of Greater London at the open and often bleak Crayford Marshes. Notwithstanding this the area is fascinating and a real contrast with the more well-known sections of the Thames with are embanked. The outer stretches of the Thames have a natural margin and it shows itself to be a true tidal river. A highlight can be many species of wading birds which feast on the estuarine mud.

We then turn away from the Thames along the River Darenth which forms the boundary with Kent and has its own tidal barrier. We turn right again to join the smaller Cray tributary and we follow this more or less closely to the end of the walk at Bexley. At Crayford we cross the Roman Watling Street, which ran from London to Canterbury and Diver, forming the basis for todays A2  trunk road. We pass the grounds of Hall Place before entering Bexley, whose High Street still has the feel of a Kentish village despite the heavy traffic.