Ingatestone to Battlesbridge Walk

24.8 km (15.4 mi), of which 4.9 km (3.0 mi) on tarmac or pavements.

This long but rewarding Essex walk avoids major roads and all remnants of industry and suburbia to initially traverse through grassy fields in the Wid Valley and follow the Wid itself for a while, before ascending through a wood to the lunch stop in Stock. Afterwards several charming woods and Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve are passed through, before a late lunch/early tea stop in South Hanningfield is reached. From there the route descends through more woods and fields into the Crouch Valley to the finish in Battlesbridge. Depending on the season, the 1200m of arable field crossings near the end can be a challenge.

Shortcuts: It is possible to shorten the walk by taking a bus either from the early lunch pub in Stock to Billericay (frequent service), or from the late lunch/early tea pub in South Hanningfield to Wickford (approx. every two hours but not on Sundays).

Alternative Ending at Wickford

Length: 18.8 km (11.7 mi), of which 3.9 km (2.4 mi) on tarmac or pavements. Cumulative ascent/descent: 166/208m. Toughness: 3 out of 10

While the main walk leads through Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve and then rolling fields and woods, this much shorter alternative heads for Wickford station on a direct route, through a few woods, but mainly grassy fields. It follows the start of the Wickford to Battlesbridge walk in reverse (SWC Walk 157)