CROWN TO CROWN 5.5k (approximately)

A route of approximately 5.5k around part of the Langdon Hills Country Park, Basildon, incorporating the measured 5k off-road CROWN to CROWN races organised by Pitsea Running Club.

Location

The route starts at the Westley Heights Country Park car park, behind the Crown (Harvester) Public House, on the top of the hill just off the B1007 (A127 to A13) road.

O.S map reference TQ 681866.

There are toilets at the Country Park car park.

Route Description

The route is a mixture of minor road and gravel tracks, some of which may be muddy. The first and last thirds are out and back along the same paths. The middle section is a clockwise loop.

Runners can use road or trail shoes or studs. The route is not suitable for running spikes.

Key

L = left; R = right; TL = turn left; TR = turn right; FP = footpath; RD = road; SA = straight ahead; TK = track; MP = marker post; X = cross; m = metres; CONT = continue; KG = kissing gate; LH = left hand side; RH = right hand side; FSD = for some distance [ignore any paths to left or right]

All distances are approximate. Paragraphs approximately 1 mile each.

1. From Country Park car park (near toilets) SA on gravel track towards Park sign (East).

SA at track junction for 10m; TL onto grass downhill [hedge / wood to R]; to gate/KG; through KG; SA on path through woods to RD. SA on RD.

5k race starts at 1^st electricity pole on L

CONT to junction; TR [CARE required] into Lee Chapel Lane;

CONT SA to gate [Willow Park Nature Reserve]. Through gate [ignore gate to R]; RD becomes TK; TL at junction [MP 24]; SA FSD to concrete RD TL [ignore locked gate to R]; 15m TR [before barrier at RD] onto narrow track.

2. 15m TR [hedges on L & R]; ignore path to L; to X RD [National Cycle Network MP]; TR; SA at X RD [wood to L / hedge to R]; CONT on path up and over hill ignoring all paths to L & R to junction. TL;
15m TR uphill; CONT FSD; CONT past wooden barrier on R; downhill to TK and small clearing on R. TR; 100m to X RDs; TR [MP 13 on L]; uphill then down FSD to junction [MPs]; TR [hedge to L / wood to R]; 100m [MP 13 on R]; TL; CONT uphill and down [hedge to L / wood to R]; SA at X RDs [MP 13 to L]; pass reservoir to L; to X RD [houses ahead]; TL; ignore path to R; 15m before barrier TL to concrete RD; TL; 25m fork R [pass Nature Reserve sign]; reservoir on L; CONT FSD to junction [MP 24 on L];

3. TR on gravel TK; CONT SA to metal gate; through gate / TK becomes RD; SA uphill on RD; TL into Beeleigh Avenue; CONT to bend; SA onto track [2 white posts on L]; through woods to gate / KG; through KG; SA keeping to LH edge of field [wood to L] to top; SA across 2 gravel tracks, to L of notice board.

5k race ends at far edge of 2^nd track