I used the M25 twice over the weekend. On both occasions because of heavy traffic/timing I ended up using the services at Thurrock. In all honesty the coffee was awful and the food nearly as bad. Prices very high. Does anybody know of a cafe or similar nearby, with sensible opening hours, where one can get some decent food and not walk away feeling you have been robbed?
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Large shopping center at Thurrock (Lakeside) and also at Dartford (Bluewater) both only a mile or so off the M25. Both have lots of cafes.
Both can be more than 5 minutes off the M25 depending on traffic.
After that depends how far you want to go off the Motorway - Had some nice curries in Bexley and there is(Was?) a good greasy spoon in Foots Cray . . . . . .
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M25 ... traffic
curries
Not a combination I'd enjoy.... ;-)
Dave TD
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I am sorry but I have no sympathy for you of any kind.
No one but a fool stops anywhere on the Essex stretch of the M25. Its a place best avoided, but if you are forced to travel that way always carry suffient water bottles. Some filled with water some not. Never stop, the wildlife is hostile and the land inhospitable and barely fit for human life.
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No one but a fool stops anywhere on the Essex stretch of the M25. Its a place best avoided but if you are forced to travel that way always carry suffient water bottles. Some filled with water some not. Never stop the wildlife is hostile and the land inhospitable and barely fit for human life.
What a cruel and horrible thing to say! If you actually leave the M25 and drive into salubrious areas like Basildon, Billericay etc. (many places in Essex begin with 'B') you'll still see Escort RS's. even Capris and blonde ladies with tight blue denims and white stilettos.
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..What a cruel and horrible thing to say!...
I think what AE meant to say is the southern part of Essex is somewhat flat and featureless, but does, nonetheless, have a certain muscular industrial beauty.
The northern part of the county is far more verdant, and Essex can also boast some of the most beautiful and varied coastline in the country.
Should have been a politician, me. :)
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but does nonetheless have a certain muscular industrial beauty.
Essex Girls again!
The northern part of the county is far more verdant
And some of its inhabitants like to pretend they're actually in Suffolk.
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The northern part of the county is far more verdant and Essex can also boast some of the most beautiful and varied coastline in the country. Should have been a politician me. :)
As long as you dont become a cartographer, the M25 goes nowhere near the coastline, or the verdant northern bits.
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Although this part of Essex is somewhat of a gastronomic wasteland strangely enough not far form Thurrock is the village of Horndon on the Hill. There you will find the Bell which is a great pub by any standards . Food is excellent. bar ceiling is festooned with hot cross buns which they nail up every year. (Strange customs in is part of Essex, also noted for the torching of the Escort which may be observed if you are lucky along the nearby A13)
www.bell-inn.co.uk/
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The Bell does seem to get good reviews but does seem more like a destination for a lunch/evening meal. I may well give it a try but it does not seem a true alternative to a cafe/greasy spoon. Any other ideas?
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There are quite a few but seeing as how Essex is so much of a wasteland and the people are horrible and to be avoided then it's probably best we keep them to ourselves and advise you to stay safely on the M25 until you are clear of our God forsaken county.......
If you think we're bad then make sure you count your fingers after you've paid your toll at the Crossing, they're Kentish Men y'know..........
Edited by cockle {P} on 28/07/2009 at 19:35
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are clear of our God forsaken county.......
Not all of it. If you draw a line from say, Southend to Harlow, then anything North of that line is ok, anything south of the line should be flattened to make Londons main airport, it would be far prettier.
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Not all of it. If you draw a line from say Southend to Harlow then anything North of that line is ok anything south of the line should be flattened to make Londons main airport it would be far prettier.
Sadly there are semi-serious proposals to build an airport in the Estuary to the East of your line and very serious plans to build another runway at Stansted to the North of your line....... So the best bits of Essex are fair game for tarmacing over, it would seem. Personally I think it would make sense to put a new airport within easy reach of good transport links and close to its customers, Central London would probably be a good place :-)
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If you're wanting greasy spoon you need Les's caff on the A13.
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/56680
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That the old A13 - now the A1013 see map
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If your M25 journey includes the M11, then I would recommend the Dove & Rainbow pub. Just a few hundred yards from junction 7 of the M11, on the Hastingwood road. Excellent food and nice friendly people.
I used to use it as a halfway house when travelling from God's Own County to Kent, as the official services were either carp, expensive or non-existent. plus it meant I could choose to set off when the M25 became less congested.
I became an unofficial regular there for a couple of years.
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Another vote for the Rainbow & Dove. I work in Harlow & have been there several times.
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/174762
Edited by Soupytwist on 29/07/2009 at 13:43
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....As long as you dont become a cartographer, the M25 goes nowhere near the coastline, or the verdant northern bits....
I don't think I suggested it did - and is that all the thanks I get for trying to dig someone out of a hole?
I'm off to poke my nose into another thread and I'm taking my licence to interfere with me. :)
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It's very rarely I agree 100% with anything AE posts but he's right on this one!
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