Terrel's Heath

Terrel's Heath is, in spite of its name, an area of ancient woodland named on the 1938 six-inch Ordnance Survey map. It is adjacent to Woodside Primary School in Grays, Thurrock. It can be accessed only from the bridle path which runs from Chadwell St Mary, across nearby Orsett Heath to Hangman's Wood, part of the ancient route from Coalhouse Point in East Tilbury to the bridge or causeway at Aveley.

The name "Terrel's" relates to the Tyrrel family of Essex and the title of "Heath" either to a time when it was not wooded or to include the surrounding area which was until comparitively recently typical heathland. The Tyrell's family were sponsors of All Saints Church East Horndon where many family members are buried. It was the family name which was adopted as the original name both the junior and infant schools which later became Woodside Primary School, Grays while the adjacent Secondary School was known as "Torrels". The young 19th Century diarist Martha Randall wrote "Tirrels heath" when describing a November walk on the Heath which was close to her home at Heath Place Farm. Terrel's Heath was given to Thurrock Council by the Baker family of Orsett Hall and is now a public open space. It is deciduous woodland, almost entirely oak with carpets of bluebells in spring, itself an indicator of ancient (unplanted) woodland.

Terrel's Heath was considerably reduced in size by the construction of the Dock Relief Road which connects the Port of Tilbury with the A13. This road now separates Terrel's Heath from the larger Orsett Heath. Before the road and before the nearby housing estates were there Terrel's Heath would have been part of a large swathe of heathland iterspaced with woodland. This included Biggin Heath, Chadwell Heath (heathland belonging to the manor of Chadwell St Mary, not the place near Romford), Mucking Heath, Orsett Heath, Socketts Heath and Terrel's Heath all of which were on high ground compared to the nearby marsh and had poor sandy soil with underlying gravel and chalk.