Ingatestone to Battlesbridge walk

24.8 km (15.4 mi), with 230/277m ascent/descent. For a shorter walk see below Walk Options.

This 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 delightful wood to the lunch stop in Stock. Afterwards several charming woods (some of them good bluebell 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 1.2 kilometres 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), with 166/208m ascent/descent. Toughness: 2 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 and reverses the start of SWC Walk 157 Wickford to Battlesbridge.

Ingatestone Station, map reference TQ 649991, is 9 km south west of Chelmsford and 55m above sea level. Battlesbridge Station, map reference TQ 776948, is 13 km south east of Ingatestone and 8m above sea level. Both are in Essex. Ingatestone is on the Great Eastern Main Line from Liverpool Street to Norwich (half-hourly service, hourly on Sundays), with a journey time of 27 minutes (34 minutes on Sundays). Battlesbridge is on the single-track Crouch Valley branch line from Wickford to Southminster, which has at least one train an hour Monday to Friday, one every 40 minutes Saturday, and hourly trains on Sunday (journey time from 45 to 60 minutes).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 10.15 hours if intending to eat in Stock, 1/3 into the full walk; or the train closest to 9.15 hours if intending to eat in South Hanningfield 2/3 into the full walk.

The Bakers Arms Common Road, Stock, Essex, CM4 9NF (01277 840 423). The Bakers Arms is located 8.9 km (5.5 mi) into the walk.
The Hoop Freehouse High Street, Stock, Essex CM4 9BD (01277 841 137). The Hoop is located 8.9 km (5.5 mi) into the walk.
The Bear Inn 16 The Square, Stock, Essex CM4 9LH (01277 829 100). The Bear is located 8.9 km (5.5 mi) into the walk.
The Old Windmill South Hanningfield Road, South Hanningfield, Essex, CM3 8HT (01268 712 280). Located 17.6 km (10.9 mi) from the start of the walk.

Several options at the end in both Battlesbridge and Wickford. For details see the pdf.

After the walk, we would love to get your feedback

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Start CM4 0BW Map Directions Return to the start:

Finish SS11 7RG Map Directions Travel to the start:

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SE

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Oct-21 Thomas G