Mersea Island, Essex, Circular Walk

 Coastal Walks, Essex, On The Front Line, Sailing, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Jan 212012
 

Fifteen years ago I regularly visited Mersea Island with my eldest son while taking the RYA Yachmaster course. Our teacher was Jim McNaughton of the Mersea Island Yacht Club. I don’t think Jim liked us. He passed us grudgingly, certainly making us work harder than his Mersea Island chums in class.

I think my Master Mariner qualifications were testing for him. The “rights of way” subject was a tricky discussion! But I liked him and I still hold fond memories of his anecdotes.

My father lived on Mersea Island for a short time during WW2. His mother worked in a Colchester department store and cycled each day. That’s an impressive 20 mile round trip and with a full days work in-between. It must have been a trek, especially in the winter setting off in the dark and not getting home before dark too. With no lights avoiding ditches and the Strood itself must have been tricky. Still, I remember my Granny always had a smile and was a plucky woman who never complained.

This is a 12 mile walk that can get muddy in parts, especially along the bank of the Strood, therefore take care if it has rained. Ample pubs, clubs and cafés so no need to pack a lunch.

I changed route avoiding the busy roads by turning right instead of left on the B1025 (at the end of the Strood section) and then using the public footpaths to cut through to Blue Row.

mersea route 1024x460 Mersea Island, Essex, Circular Walk

Mersea Island Route

Distance: 12 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 70 feet
Weather Check: Colchester, Essex
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Mersea Island, Essex, Circular Walk
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010
Local Website: www.mersea-island.com

 Posted by Martyn at 8:59 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Epping Forest Circular Walk Via Toot Hill & The Moletrap

 Essex, Forest, On The Front Line, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Nov 202011
 

I didn’t take my Camera on this walk so these are from my phone. Not Pulitzer material but it was a bright day, bright enough to produce good pictures under the circumstances.

I have wanted to visit Epping for a while and the chance arose without warning or time for proper planning. I want to walk the tunnels and bridges across the M25/M11 motorways. I decided to leave them to the end of the walk knowing it would be dark by the time I arrived. This may seem foolhardy however there are two attractions to the dark. The first is the tunnels will be creepy and secondly the land around motorways offers interesting navigation. If the dark freaks you out and you are considering this walk in the winter then I suggest you do the walk in reverse, and bring torches.

The sun is winter-low but bright enough to keep the air warm enough for me to walk wearing a T-Shirt and shorts (changing to longs before walking through brambles – and for decency’s sake before Lunch in the Moletrap pub).

Distance: 12½ Miles
Elevation Range: 85 to 365 feet
Weather Check: Epping, Essex
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Epping Forest Circular Walk Via Toot Hill & The Moletrap
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 10:29 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

 Essex, On The Front Line, Sport, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Nov 062011
 

Hundreds of swans and sea birds crowd into Mistley and show little fear for people or vehicles alike. When I drove through a couple of weeks ago traffic halted while three Swans strolled from Lower Park to the river.

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

A large coppice tree looking like a monster from the Never Ending story sits high on a mound in Furze Hills on the eastern leg of the walk. I have seen pictures of similar aged more than 1,000 years; I like the idea this tree may host memories that date beyond 1066. I like to imagine how people have used the tree to shelter from the sun or rain over the years, the conversations held and the politics of the day. Could the tree hold a grisly history too? Lightening appears to have struck it and due to its size and place may have been involved in punishment. With so many years it is likely to have many interesting stories, perhaps science will find a way to unlock these one day.

A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

Despite the misty wet weather the walk was full of colour, checkout more of the photos here.

mistley bradfield walk A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex

Those who enjoy navigating will note there is an aerial and water tower visible from almost anywhere on the walk allowing easy positioning.

Distance: 12 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 119 feet
Difficulty: Easy but be ready to backtrack or find alternative routes due to mud.
Weather Check: BBC Weather Mistley, Essex.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: A Circular Walk Around Wet and Misty Mistley & Bradfield Essex
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 10:15 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hamford Water from Landermere to Kirby Creek Circular Walk

 Essex, On The Front Line, River Bank, Sport, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Oct 302011
 

Distance: 11.5 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 80 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Weather Check: BBC Weather Thorpe-le-Soken.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Hamford Water from Landermere to Kirby Creek Circular Walk
Suggested Parking: By the Quay or one of the Pubs en route.

Air from the marshes laden with sea scent and a hint of sea-weed gently hovered over the path from Landermere to Peters Point. An incredible day for the time of year once the morning cloud cover burnt away by the sun. The silence was deafening only broken occasionally by the marsh birds or a distant siren.

There are pubs in Kirby that make an ideal lunch time stop or even a good starting point if planning and afternoon walk in summer.

landermere to kirby creek 1024x761 Hamford Water from Landermere to Kirby Creek Circular Walk

Download the Hamford Water from Landermere to Kirby Creek Circular Walk Route Card
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 8:11 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stour Wood, Wrabness & Bradfield Heath Circular Walk

 Ancient Woodlands, Essex, On The Front Line, Sport, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Oct 162011
 

It was another unusual October day, not a blistering heat and no wind, it still had a perceived summer warmth. The trees of Stour Wood were not fooled by the temperature; browns and yellows mixed with the green of the leaves holding on with foolhardy hope.

Acorns and chestnuts cracked as I walked through the wood, an open access area with paths and well-worn routes. Huge coppiced trees that tell of many hundred years of management and suggest a thirty-pig pannage or more although shrunk when declared for taxes.

SDC11424a 1024x768 Stour Wood, Wrabness & Bradfield Heath Circular Walk

Through the tunnel under the railway and toward The Stour a single house with the quintessential British garden before you reach the river shore and then lonely scenery before reaching the posh beach-huts hidden behind land-fall.

SDC11433a 300x225 Stour Wood, Wrabness & Bradfield Heath Circular Walk Onward through the trees and eventually beside the marshes where birds meet to gaze and squawk at the twitchers as they hide in their huts.

Nothing prepares you for the view.

Essex proves hidden treasure not only in Epping or hidden within city boundaries and stood as the boundary to East Anglia since before the time Angles was adopted for the nation. A juxtaposition of industry and natural beauty and composed of just one.

Let Essex be your secret bounty and as you run from drudge and duty; burst through the forest and catch the hues, out of breath yet out of your mind and surprise the view!

More photos.

SDC11479a 1024x768 Stour Wood, Wrabness & Bradfield Heath Circular Walk

Distance: 12¼ Miles
Elevation Range: 2 to 118 feet
Weather Check: BBC Weather Mistley, Essex.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Stour Wood, Wrabness & Bradfield Heath Circular Walk
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 9:40 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Foxearth, Borely, Temple End & The Rookery

 Essex, On The Front Line, Suffolk, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Oct 012011
 

The hottest October day since records began; according to the news. The autumn light made this route. A professional photographer would have produced some fantastic photos. As no professionals were available you will have to do with mine which are here.

One noticeable feature of this walk was the lack of sound. In places I could hear nature in great detail. A grass snake glided across the path over crisp dry brown leaves and the crackling sound the movement produced alerted me in time to see it before it disappeared.

SDC11097a 1024x768 Foxearth, Borely, Temple End & The Rookery

To avoid dehydration I changed the route to include the Pinkuah Arm Pub in Pentlow. This was the only Pub shown on the Ordnance Survey map and I didn’t see any when passing through Foxearth so I strongly suggest you add it as stop. They do food too and have out-door benches and tables in a small garden around the back.

foxearth circular walk 1024x884 Foxearth, Borely, Temple End & The Rookery

Distance: 11 Miles
Elevation Range: 95 to 240 feet
Weather Check: BBC Weather Sudbury, Suffolk.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Foxearth, Borely, Temple End & The Rookery Circular Walk
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 8:03 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Flatford Mill, Dedham & Manningtree Circular Walk

 Essex, On The Front Line, Suffolk, Walking Hiking Navigating  1 Response »
Sep 182011
 

I visited Flatford about 20 years ago. At the time, I had two small children who showed little interest in anything other than the sweet shop (which is still there). Crowded paths, hot and cars queuing in small one-way lanes. The picture on the ‘please-take-one’ brochure looked more appealing.

I thought about an early Spring visit, but when that did not happen saved it for September. Autumn brings a change in colour with more shades of green, yellow, orange and reds, so it provided a happy compromise.

This walk, though 10 miles, is easy to change with several choices of path along the way. If you walk on a wet day, some areas may get boggy, so dress appropriately, or be ready to take an alternative path.

From Flatford Mill, Dedham & Manningtree

It’s not difficult to see why the area is known for art. I met the artist John Sharman in the 90′s and was fortunate enough to collect four of his excellent paintings. Willy Lott’s cottage, Woodbridge from the eastern bank of The Deben, Yachts on the Stour, The Ship Inn Levington (famous for its Whiffkey).

From Flatford Mill
From Flatford Mill
From Flatford Mill
From Flatford Mill

John Constable was born in East Bergholt; five minutes walk from Flatford Mill. Constable is famous for The Haywain and Flatford Mill, but Stonehenge is my favourite, the finished painting is on view in The Victoria and Albert Museum, do not miss the opportunity to see it.

From Flatford Mill, Dedham & Manningtree

dedham and flatford mill 1024x560 Flatford Mill, Dedham & Manningtree Circular Walk

Distance: 10 Miles
Elevation Range: 7 to 127 feet
Weather Check: BBC Weather Colchester, Essex.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Flatford Mill, Dedham & Manningtree Circular Walk
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 11:09 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A List of Circular Walks in East Anglia

 Essex, Norfolk, On The Front Line, Suffolk, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Sep 142011
 

SDC10009 300x225 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaMuch of East Anglia is easy to walk because its flat, “very flat, Norfolk”, according to Noel Coward in Private Lives.

Pleasant villages surrounded by pleasant countryside and the Broads, in both Suffolk and Norfolk. East Anglia has been the destination for tourists and artists for centuries. Beautiful buildings, large and small, open to the public as Pubs and Grand Mansions add splendour, mystery and intrigue for worthwhile investigation on foot. East Anglian Hospitality and excellent travellers facilities are the pride of the people.

History has left stories for exploration, some starting in pre-history. Grimes graves an example with tangible evidence of life and living conditions in East Anglia thousands of years ago.

Nelson, England’s greatest hero who perpetuated and protected our empire, born and lived in Norfolk. It’s not difficult to find his influence with museums and historical locations promoting him for their cause.

Traditional English Churches are important map markers and difficult to resist admiring up close or from distance for a bearing. Round towered churches make an interesting break and most are found in Norfolk (~150) and Suffolk (~40). Some boast a thousand years of history. The church in Weeting (shown above) used after the Great War to train young unemployed soldiers as farmers who migrated to Australia and New Zealand.

Round Towers built of granite stones and pebbles have lasted. Does this explain their shape or did the invading Saxon overlords need extra protection from attack? My walks try to answer questions like this but usually just leave me with more.

A list of the walks taken in East Anglia, Spring through Summer 2011

SDC10190 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaShotley Gate (16th April)
Distance: 5¼ Miles
Elevation Range: -1 to 87 feet
SDC10276 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaLong Melford & Kentwell Hall (21st April)
Distance: 4½ Miles
Elevation Range: 111 to 260 feet
SDC10030 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaStutton & The Stour (23rd April)
Distance: 5 Miles
Elevation Range: 3 to 90 feet
SDC10131 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaFelixstowe Ferry to the Maybush Waldringfield (7th May)
Distance: 7.2 Miles
Elevation Range: 3 to 68 feet
SDC10028 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaA Walk from Sutton to Ramsholt via The Deben (14th May)
Distance: 7.8 Miles
Elevation Range: 2 to 72 feet
SDC10202 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaLevington Lagoon & The River Orwell (21st May)
Distance: 10 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 85 feet
SDC10416 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaBawdsey to Shingle Street via Felixstowe Ferry (28th May)
Distance: 9 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 80 feet
SDC10454 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaShingle Street to Butley Ferry (June 9)
Distance: 10½ Miles
Elevation Range: -5 to 60 feet
cows 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaA Circular Walk From Orford To Aldeburgh Along Sudbourne Marshes (June 13)
Distance: 11¼ Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 52 feet
dunwich priory 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaMinsmere Through Dunwich to Rookyard Wood Circular Walk (July 11)
Distance: 7½ Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 70 feet
tree bloker 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaCircular Walk Starting Dunwich Through Westwood Marshes Walberswick (July 18)
Distance: 7¼ Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 65 feet
SDC10873a 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaBugged In Beccles, A Circular Walk Around The Suffolk Broads (July 31)
Distance: 7 Miles
Elevation Range: 3 to 34 feet
SDC11049a 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaCircular Walk Somerton Winterton and Horsey Mere (August 8)
Distance: 10 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 60 feet
SDC10514c 150x150 A List of Circular Walks in East AngliaHarwich to Little Oakley via the Cherry Tree (August 28)
Distance: 11 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 80 feet
 Posted by Martyn at 10:55 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Circular Walk Beginning in Harwich to Little Oakley via the Cherry Tree

 Essex, On The Front Line, Walking Hiking Navigating  No Responses »
Aug 282011
 

The walk begins at Harwich Pier so you can start in Harwich, Felixstowe or Shotley, which ever suits you. I began at Felixstowe and took the Ferry to Harwich. I parked near Landguard Fort which is found at the end of View Point Road. There are two car parks, drive past the first and from the second you will have a view across the Orwell to Harwich. Park at the northern end (the right as you face the river) and closest to the river as the opposite side floods in heavy rain.

Felixstowe docks are always busy and if you are a ship spotter the car park beside Landguard Fort is a good place to see them. As a child I used to play on the docks. I remember dockers chasing me too.

electric palace Circular Walk Beginning in Harwich to Little Oakley via the Cherry TreeTo the right of the car park you will see the huge cranes, one now driven by a cousin who has worked the docks for the last 30 years. The cranes at Felixstowe docks are visible for miles and often appear on the horizon on walks in Suffolk and Essex.

Check the Ferry Timetable if you choose to leave from Felixstowe. They also run from Shotley and of course Harwich is easy to get to if you are coming via Essex.

Once at Harwich spare some time to look around. It is a beautiful town and retains a historic atmosphere which is easily missed unless you to explore. The high and low lighthouses which offered a mechanism to find safe passage prove how important it was in time’s gone past. You may not have time to watch a film but a walk past the Electric Palace is pleasant if you enjoy antique architecture.

Follow the sea-wall around to Dovercourt which is a pleasant sea-side town with small-scale common family amenities. It also sports a couple of weird Lighthouses. One stuck on the shore and the other a few hundred feet to sea. Perhaps used as leading lights such as the high and low Lighthouses in Harwich?

SDC10514 300x225 Circular Walk Beginning in Harwich to Little Oakley via the Cherry TreeContinue past Dovercourt and you enter the countryside which is marsh land along the coast. Listen out for birds and duck calls, at times it resembled what a busy rail station filled with birds might sound like.

Hamford Water, a National Nature Reserve, follows the coast for a third of the walk. An abrupt right turn heads for Little Oakley and the Cherry Tree pub is a handy half way point and a good opportunity for lunch. If you need to catch a ferry remember not to stay too long.

As you exit the village a small shop provides an opportunity to restock on fresh water. At the end of the village a right turn takes you back into countryside and distant views of the marshes you walked earlier in the day.

A sharp turn to the left along a tree-lined track takes you back into Dovercourt behind the colourful rows of beach huts. Follow the path back to Harwich Pier and ferry.

harwich to little oakleyx50 Circular Walk Beginning in Harwich to Little Oakley via the Cherry Tree

Distance: 11 Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 80 feet
Difficulty: Medium
Weather Check: BBC Weather Harwich, Essex.
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: Harwich to Little Oakley
Download the Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010

 Posted by Martyn at 3:32 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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