Rectory Farm to Windrush May 31, 2026
Signage: We followed what we thought was a current walking trail from Rectory Farm to the M25. There is negligible signage in the wild areas along this path, and diversions were poorly signposted along the path around a large construction site at Holly Hill farm.
The one useful sign we saw on a 6 km walk
A waymarker pointing us to another dead end
Pedestrians which way?
Accessibility: The path appears to have been neglected and is overgrown with brambles and other thorny plants. We were covered in bug bites and scratches. Dead ends and boarded-up sections of the path were commonplace. Up until Tingey Tops, the walking path is somewhat accessible for walkers, but not those with mobility impairments or disabilities. Not safe for children at all.
Paths needed some TLC and were in impassable condition
A stile offered scratches, bug bites and nettle burns
Debris, Fallen Trees & Litter: There is significant fly-tipping along the path and litter across it after Tingey Tops. Where the responsibility of the construction company begins/ends to maintain tidy order around the site, what is private land and what is government responsibility is not clear from the boundaries.
Biodiversity: A significant variety of bird life was recorded along the path, including birds not previously heard, such as Skylarks. Damselflies, bees and butterflies were seen during the first half of the walk before the path condition declined after Turkey Brook. The air quality readings were alarmingly high, considering this is green belt land, which implies an environmental impact assessment may be necessary to monitor how the construction site has impacted the local area. Social weaving larvae tents had alarmingly spread across Rectory Lane and near East Lodge Farm, promoted by the recent heatwave. A Tree Alert assessment to understand the threat of moth larvae is urgently recommended, and a letter will be raised. We spotted three empty shotgun shells at Holly Hill farm, but could find no explanation for why. The ground was dry, cracked throughout majority of the path due to a lack of rain.
Graffiti: None observed.
Safety: We were concerned that earthworks and construction debris were found on Holly Hill Farm, making it unsafe for walkers, particularly children. Additionally, the proximity of sizeable bird habitats, natural streams which had dried up so close to the construction site is prompting us to follow up with questions on the permit holder and environmental risk management in place.
