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Kelvedon Circular Walk

Gentle Essex walk through the quiet Blackwater Valley to historic Coggeshall, with 300 listed buildings, for lunch.

Circular Essex

History

Club walks since April 2015, and a summary which goes back to Jan 2010.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 14-Jun-26 Gentle Essex walk through the quiet Blackwater Valley to historic Coggeshall, with 300 listed buildings, for lunch: Kelvedon Circular 11 sunny
Wed, 15-Oct-25 Kelvedon Circular Walk 8 sunshine and cloud
Sat, 21-Jun-25 Kelvedon Circular 4 hot sunny cloudy later
Sun, 27-Oct-24 Kelvedon Circular 9 fine sunny
Sat, 20-Jan-24 300 listed buildings, Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum and the Blackwater Valley: Kelvedon Circular via Coggeshall 8 cold dry mostly sunny
Sat, 29-Apr-23 Kelvedon Circular 2 sunny
Wed, 03-Aug-22 Kelvedon Circular - along the Blackwater Valley to Coggeshall, then return to Kelvedon via Feering 6 warm to hot and humid
Wed, 15-Sep-21 Kelvedon Circular - the Blackwater Valley, Coggeshall and gentle Essex farming countryside 6 mostly overcast with some sun later
Sun, 27-Sep-20 Kelvedon Circular 6 grey damp windswept and slightly chilly
Sun, 07-Apr-19 Kelvedon Circular - Old Essex and the Blackwater Valley 4 wet then dry grey all day
Sun, 08-Apr-18 Kelvedon Circular 3 overcast conditions with an hour of light rain in the morning
Thu, 05-Oct-17 The Blackwater Valley and Coggeshall 3 sunny skies and a fresh breeze
Sun, 04-Jun-17 Kelvedon Circular 16 sunny with big blue Essex sky
Wed, 28-Sep-16 The quiet Blackwater Valley to historic Coggeshall, with 300 listed buildings, for lunch 10 initially sunny later overcast
Sun, 12-Apr-15 Kelvedon Circular Walk 12
Sun, 03-Aug-14 Kelvedon Circular Walk 10
Sat, 12-Apr-14 Kelvedon Circular Walk 9
Sun, 10-Jun-12 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Sun, 03-Jul-11 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Sun, 18-Jul-10 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Sat, 14-Nov-09 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Sun, 14-Dec-08 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Sat, 09-Feb-08 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Sun, 08-Apr-07 Kelvedon Circular Walk
Thomas G
Length : 23.2 km (14.4 mi) [much shorter options available]
Ascent/Descent : 154m
Net Walking Time : 5 hours
Toughness : 4 out of 10
Take the 10.08 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street (10.15 Stratford), arrives Kelvedon 10.59.
Return trains : xx.41.
This walk is centred on the gentle landscape of the Blackwater Valley, close to Constable Country, and includes some very tranquil and scenic stretches along the river itself, interspersed with long stretches along country lanes, green lanes or field boundaries with wide and extensive views across the rolling Essex countryside of fields and woods.

A pre-lunch north westerly loop explores the valley cut by Robin’s Brook, leading to Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum, with its atmospheric early lunch stop in a converted barn.

There are a several other recommended lunch stops in Coggeshall itself.

Coggeshall is one of Britain’s most historic market towns. It has 300 listed buildings, amongst the ones passed on the walk are Britain’s oldest barn and one its finest medieval buildings, built on the remnants of a 12th century abbey, an impressive carved timber-framed Wool Merchant’s house as well as a couple of photogenic watermills and an outsized church.

Walk Options:
On Sundays, just bus line X20 to Marks Tey and Colchester links Coggeshall to a train station (further from London than Kelvedon but on the same line).
Two shortcuts - cutting out all or parts of an outer loop just before lunch - reduce the length of the walk by 6.9 km and 84m ascent/descent or by 3.9 km and 49m ascent/descent respectively. They are rated 2/10 and 3/10 respectively.
A scenic extension in Coggeshall leads west from Grange Barn along the Essex Way, across the Blackwater over the listed Nunn’s Bridge and back along the wooded valley, closely following the river. This adds 2.5 km.

Lunch :
Mrs Salisbury's Famous Tea Rooms Bouchier's Barn, Marks Hall (11.1 km (6.9 mi) into the walk in a beautifully restored 15th Century barn, which was moved to its current spot timber by timber from a site close by. Cooked food served 12.00-14.30.
Plenty of options in Coggeshall (see the webpage or the pdf).
Tea : The Bell Inn, The Sun Inn , The Tavern on the River , or Kelvedon King Fish Bar.
For summary, map, height profile, photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here . bad walk tag Sun, 14-Jun at 10:59
  • Marc Ricketts
    Sun 14-Jun

    I am doing the Walk Today. I am going to set off a bit early just incase there is a Signal failure or something like that. And I will meet yous there.

  • Thomas G
    Sun 14-Jun

    11 on a sunny day A couple of of housing estates have popped up on former arable fields (in Kelvedon and in Coggeshall) compared to the last time I walked this. Also some new vineyards where there used to be fields of berries (Tiptree is close by). Other than that, the same glorious (if for some, possibly monotonous) landscape of mild undulations, large fields, far views, old buildings of renown and picturesque waterways. At Coggeshall Great Barn, we split into: 6 walking the extension to Nunn's Bridge and back along the Blackwater, 2 walking the main walk route, and 3 taking a shortcut straight into Coggeshall including visiting Peacocke's House & Gardens (we never saw them 3 again). The extenders met the main walkers at the lunch stop barn on the Markshall Estate (much improved venue, menu and service, under its new guise as Mrs. Salisbury's Tea Rooms) and we walked on together. Back in Feering & Kelvedon just after the 17.41 had left, so a couple of pubs were frequented to pass the time before the next train.

gouldman
bad walk tag
TOUGHNESS 3/10 10,12,or 14 miles
TRAINS Take the 10.02 from LIVERPOOL ST arriving at 10.52 (Stratford 10.09)
Return trains are half hourly at .22 and .52
LUNCH is at Coggeshall which has several pubs and a National Trust tearoom
L=swc.216
  • Wanderer
    Oct-25

    8 on a pleasant autumn day with sunshine and cloud . The route had lots of autumn colours and there were many attractive steeply pitched red tiled roofs of houses and churches along the way. Seven stopped for a picnic at Coggeshall Grange Barn before completing the loop past Nunn Bridge to the village. One followed a different loop before joining the others at the Chapel Inn. One took a bus from Coggeshall, seven completed the circuit back to Kelvedon.

Mr M Tiger
Toughness 3/10 Length: 10, 12, or 14.4 miles (16.3, 19.3 or 23.2 km.)
We had a request for this walk recently. Highlights include the Blackwater River, an old mill, medieval abbey buildings, Grange Barn (said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe), and the town of Coggeshall, with over 300 listed buildings, many of them medieval, including Paycockes, a 15th C merchant's house. The full walk gives the opportunity to visit another old barn at Marks Hall Gardens.
Trains: Take the 10:02 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street,(Stratford 10:09 ) arriving Kelvedon at10:52.
Return trains at xx:22 and 54
Lunch: There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (e.g. Chapel Inn, Woolpack) are ancient. Paycockes has a tearoom.
If doing the full walk, you can also visit “Mrs Salisbury’s Famous Tearoom" at Marks Hall (01376 563 796). No admission charge for the café.
Tea: The Sun Inn, Feering Hill (01376 570 442) is recommended. There's also the earlier Bell Inn, in Feering (01376 570 375), and the later Railway Tavern in Kelvedon. (01376 570293).
Visiting: Paycockes and Grange Barn are both National Trust properties.
You get a good view of Grange Barn from the outside, to look inside costs £6
Paycockes garden and teashop are free. An inside tour costs £11
Marks Hall Gardens: entry £11
Walk Directions: here. bad walk tag
If not continuing to Marks Hall, you can take a shorter route through Coggeshall along Church Street. (From Paycockes retrace your steps along West St till you reach the White Hart Hotel. Turn left by the hotel and then immediately right into Church St (opposite the Clock Tower). At the end of Church St, turn right down St Peters Road to rejoin the full walk).
  • Austen
    Jun-25

    Given the late start, taken the 0936 to Kelvedon. Will wait. Austen

  • Caroline S
    Jun-25

    4 of us met on the station at Kelvedon and we set of in 2 pairs. It was a hot sunny morning but cooler than London. My pair walked about 14 miles a combination of the walk - one extension and part of an extension. We had our picnic lunch in the delightful garden of Paycocke's House followed by a walk into Coggeshall to admire the old houses. The late afternoon clouded over and a few slots of rain were felt as we neared Kelvendon station to catch the 17.14 train back to Liverpool Street. A good flat walk for a hot day.

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Jun-25

    4 hot sunny cloudy later

Mr M Tiger

Toughness 3/10
Length: 10, 12, or 14.4 miles (16.3, 19.3 or 23.2 km.)
Highlights for this recently requested walk include the Blackwater river, an old mill, Grange Barn (said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe), and the town of Coggeshall, with over 300 listed buildings, many medieval. The full walk gives the opportunity to visit Marks Hall Gardens but that might be a bit of a stretch today. The shorter walk is suggested.
Trains
The clocks went back today and, as usual, they’re a bit ticked off about it.

I've gone for an early start to make the most of the daylight – don’t worry, it’ll feel like it's later.

Take the 09:08 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street,(Stratford 9:15) arriving Kelvedon at 9:59.
Return trains at xx:41.
Lunch
There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (eg Chapel Inn, Woolpack) are ancient.
If doing the full walk, you can also visit Honywood Café at Marks Hall (01376 563 796). No admission charge for the café.
Tea
The Sun Inn, Feering Hill (01376 570 442) is recommended. There's also the earlier Bell Inn, in Feering (01376 570 375), and the later Railway Tavern in Kelvedon. (01376 570293).
Visiting
Paycockes and Grange Barn are both National Trust properties
You get a good view of Grange Barn from the outside. To look inside costs £5.50
Paycockes An ornate 15th C merchants house The garden and teashop are free. Guided visit inside £9.50
Marks Hall Gardens entry £9
There is a Tudor Walk through Coggeshall that highlights some of the old buildings. (You will have already seen some of them by the time you reach Paycockes).
Walk Directions here.
This walk can be shortened by cutting out all or part of the Marks Hall loop.
In the afternoon, if there has been prolonged rain, you might want to stay on Old Road rather than forking right onto the bridleway (page 8). Just saying.... bad walk tag

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Oct-24

    8 at the station. A fine sunny day. Fairly firm underfoot. Coggeshall was reached at about 11:30. One sped on for the full walk, everyone else settled for the Coggeshall turnaround. A few stopped at Paycockes for tea and cake and a wander round the garden. Mr Tiger had a small piece - just to join in, you understand. The Woolpack was not doing food so there was a gathering of the clan at the White Hart. Here, walker number 9 caught up. People liked what they got. After lunch, there was an obstacle in the way. Another cake shop, Cakelicious. I’m not saying people ate a lot there but Mr Tiger was at least 3 fields in front before they caught up. Enough time for a gateau or two . They did eventually overtake and at least 4 made the 15:41. Mr Tiger and two others just missed it, sigh. The 16:41 for them. Mr Tiger spent some of that hour in the Railway Tavern (he poked his nose in the Sun but it was crowded).

Thomas G
Length: 23.2 km (14.4 mi) [much shorter options available]
Ascent/Descent: 154m
Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness: 4/10
Take the 09.36 Colchester train from Liverpool Street (09.43 Stratford), arrives Kelvedon 10.25.
Return trains : xx.24 and xx.54.
This walk is centred on the gentle landscape of the Blackwater Valley, close to Constable Country, and includes some very tranquil and scenic stretches along the river itself, interspersed with long stretches along country lanes, green lanes or field boundaries with wide and extensive views across the rolling Essex countryside of fields and woods.
A pre-lunch north westerly loop explores the valley cut by Robin’s Brook, leading to Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum, with its atmospheric early lunch stop in a converted barn.
There are a several other recommended lunch stops in Coggeshall itself.
Coggeshall is one of Britain’s most historic market towns. It has 300 listed buildings, amongst the ones passed on the walk are Britain’s oldest barn and one its finest medieval buildings, built on the remnants of a 12th century abbey, an impressive carved timber-framed Wool Merchant’s house as well as a couple of photogenic watermills and an outsized church.
Walk Options:
A frequent bus service running through the lunch location of Coggeshall gets you to Chelmsford station (closer to London than Kelvedon and on the same line).
Two shortcuts - cutting out all or parts of an outer loop just before lunch - reduce the length of the walk by 6.9 km and 84m ascent/descent or by 3.9 km and 49m ascent/descent respectively. They are rated 2/10 and 3/10 respectively.
A scenic extension in Coggeshall leads west from Grange Barn along the Essex Way, across the Blackwater over the listed Nunn’s Bridge and back along the wooded valley, closely following the river. This adds 2.5 km/1.6 mi.
Lunch : Orchard Kitchen Café Bouchier's Barn, Marks Hall (11.1 km (6.9 mi) into the walk in a beautifully restored 15th Century barn, which was moved to its current spot timber by timber from a site close by. Cooked food served 12.00-14.30. Plus plenty of options in Coggeshall (see webpage or pdf).
Tea : The Bell Inn , The Sun Inn, The Tavern Kelvedon, or Kelvedon King Fish Bar.
For summary, map, height profile, photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. bad walk tag
  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Jan-24

    8 set off at a cracking pace on a cold dry mostly sunny day. Firm underfoot in the morning, but, then, the ground was frozen. Mr Tiger’s pace was not as cracking as the others’ and he was soon on his own. He was doing the shorter walk. He did catch up with two, along the Blackwater who had slowed to photograph trees, but lost them again in Coggeshall. He never saw the others again. Mr Tiger dropped in to the Woolpack, as ancient inside as it is outside. Some of of their mates are probably Tudors. The way out of Coggeshal is currently a narrow, fenced in corridor between vast housing developments. Just saying. Further on, at this time of year, walkers would do well to stay on Old Road and avoid the bridleway leading off it. It is heavily churned by horses and, near the end, a stretch is underwater. (Yes, it does say - one of the perils of just using gps). Not only is it underwater, it is fringed by impenetrable blackthorn. Mr Tiger has the scratches and cold wet socks to prove it. One more thing. After visiting Paycockes, it would be simpler to redirect any doing the short walk back into town and along Church St. For them, the Robins Brook diversion seems a bit pointless. Confusing, even.

Sat, 29-Apr-23
Kelvedon Circular 2
DAC
DAC
SWC Walk 216 - Kelvedon Circular
Length: 16.3 km (10.1 miles)
Longer walk incorporating loop to Marks Hall 23.2 km (14.4 miles)
Toughness: 3/10
Catch the 10:02 train from London Liverpool Street, arrives Kelvedon: 10:51.
Highlights of the walk include an old mill, medieval abbey buildings, and the town of Coggeshall with its numerous listed buildings including Paycockes an ornate 15th century merchants house.
Return trains xx:23 xx:54 18:01 xx:23 xx:54
L=swc.216
  • Judith
    Apr-23

    Two of us, plus a small dog met on the platform. This is a lovely walk, plenty of large fields of cereal and oil seed rape, but also, especially north of Coggeshall, the path is next to or through woodland with serious amounts of wild garlic, some flowering and some in bud. Bluebells and butterflies too. A field of possibly broadbeans had beautiful purple and white flowers. The boardwalk section beside the Blackwater leading into Kelvedon was calm and quiet with the sinking sun coming through the trees. We walked at a moderate pace, sandwiched in the garden of Paycocks House and got the 18.23 back to London. We did spend a little time exploring someone’s garden looking for the path from Pointwell Mill, the yellow marker on a cottage having fallen off or become invisible, but then were rewarded with a lovely walk between two branches of the River Blackwater and through a farm clearly containing bits of the old Abbey. We admired the numerous very old and generally well-kept houses in Coggeshall. Many are painted in pastel colours e.g. the Conservative Club (late 17th century) was pale blue. The fields east of Coggeshall as far as the A120 are already dug up for 300+ new houses (“40% affordable”!?!), the path is clear between fences, and shows up on the artists impression of the new estate but may prompt a rethink of that part of the route, especially as the next section requires 2 crossings of the A120. 2, sunny , dry, warm. Thank you to DAC for posting.

Marcus
SWC 216 - Kelvedon Circular Walk

Length: 16.3 km (10.1 miles) Longer walk incorporating loop to Marks Hall 23.2 km (14.4 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Either
London Liverpool Street: 10-02 hrs Greater Anglia service to Ipswich Stratford 10-09; Shenfield 10-25 hrs
Arrive Kelvedon: 10-51 hrs
or for London Councils Freedom Pass holders and those on a budget:
London Liverpool Street: 09-30 hrs TfL Rail - Elizabeth Line - service to Shenfield Stratford 09-37 hrs
Arrive Shenfield: 10-13 hrs Change trains
Leave Shenfield: 10-25 hrs Greater Anglia service to Ipswich (as above)
Arrive Kelvedon: 10-51 hrs
Return

Kelvedon to Liverpool Street: Greater Anglia services at 15-53, 16-23, 16-52, 17-24, 17-58 and 18-23 hrs

Rail ticket: holders of Freedom passes travelling on the Elizabeth Line travel free of charge as far as Shenfield, leaving them to buy day returns from Shenfield to Kelvedon. For everyone else, it is a day return to Kelvedon
Today's pleasant outing in Essex starts along the Blackwater Valley, passing two old mills, as you make your way to the medieval town of Coggeshall, with its historic "wonky" buildings. Worth a visit are Paycocks merchant's house and the Grange Barn. After exploring the town you may wish to stop for lunch. You have several options, all as noted in the Walk Directions. Popular with SWC walkers is the Woolpack Inn on Church Street.
After lunch those seeking a longer walk can embark on the loop out and back to Marks Hall Arboretum, although most SWC mid-week walkers should be satisfied with the shorter walk today. This takes you over a number of fields and along field edges to the village of Feering, from where it is a short, closing leg of the walk back to Kelvedon. You walk through the town, passing on the way two very acceptable pubs for walk-end refreshments - the Sun Inn, and closer to the railway station, the aptly named The Railway Inn.
bad walk tag
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.216
  • Boonster
    Aug-22

    Unfortunately I managed to miss the 10.02, so didn't get to Kelvedon until 11.25, and started the walk alone. It was warm, very humid, and hard underfoot. I enjoyed walking past the Mills on the first part of the walk,and the going was easy across numerous cornfields. I carried on for a bit past Coggeshall taking a short cut across Robin's Brook, and then returning to Coggeshall where I had my sandwich. I realised now that it was unlikely I was going to catch up with any other walkers, so I pushed on across more cornfields arriving back in Kelvedon in time for an ice cream and the 3.55 back to London. Thanks to Marcus for posting.

  • Gavin
    Aug-22

    5, plus one as above, so in total six (6) were on this mix of wheat/corn as it was recently cut, there were differing opinions on this. Earlier there were acres of blackberries which has recently,it seemed, been harvested, with a few left for us. Also, some blackberries. However, the highlight was the match between Essex Under 18's versus Sussex U18s, and a week long beer festival along with their annual cricket fest. Amazing beer, and the second day of the three day game. As they were all hoping to play for England or even the first team, the standard was first class. Two went on the long route to Marks Tey. Coggleshall had its three pubs open, and the White Hart had no Ale, so three of us went to the Chapel Inn, where it was boring Courage bitter. The food was good though. After that there was the upper figure of eight before returning to Coggeshall and we passed the Woolpack which we did not visit. Then it was more miles and miles of burning fields of gold. The three caught the 17.53 return to Liv St. A walk only to be done during the Cricket week, I think. The Essex Praire is tough.

  • Marcus
    Aug-22

    6 warm to hot and humid

Marcus
SWC 216 - Kelvedon Circular

Length: 16.3 km (10.1 miles) With loop to Marks Hall Gardens 23.2 km (14.4 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10 No steep hills today
London Liverpool Street: 10-02 hrs Greater Anglia service to Ipswich Stratford 10-09 hrs
Arrive Kelvedon: 10-51 hrs
Return: 15-55, 16-23, 16-52, 17-24, 18-02, 18-23 and 18-55 hrs
Early in today's walk there is a delightful section beside the River Blackwater - a grassy tree-lined way - as we head towards the historic town of Coggeshall with its medieval buildings - including Paycocke's and the Grange Barn. Please refer to the walk notes for a full description of these buildings and the many other delights on offer. To allow mid-week walkers time to explore this fascinating town (the antithesis to the concept that Essex is 'boring") I suggest we omit the loop to the Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum and do the shorter walk - but not before finding somewhere nice to stop for lunch in Coggeshall. One of these is the Woolpack Inn, a 15th century building.
After lunch the walk continues over fields and along a number of field edges to the village of Feering, from where it is a short leg back to Kelvedon. There are two very acceptable pubs in town close to the railway station for walk-end refreshments, the nearest being the Railway Tavern.
bad walk tag
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.216
  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Sep-21

    6 today, 3 of whom did the standard walk and 3 (including the author) did the longer. Guess which one I did. We never saw the long 3 again. The weather was mostly overcast with some sun later Fairly dry underfoot despite yesterday’s rain. We reached Coggeshall to find everything was closed. Grange Barn closed, Paycockes closed (both only open Sunday and Monday), and the Woolpack only doing meals after 5. And they had a limited choice of beer and only bottled cider. But we made do. Then if it was off across fields past Feering church (closed) and back to Kelvedon for a pleasant post walk drink beside the Blackwater in the Railway Tavern.

Mr M Tiger

Toughness 3/10

Length: 10, 12, or 14.4 miles (16.3, 19.3 or 23.2 km.)

Highlights of this walk include an old mill, medieval abbey buildings, Grange Barn (said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe), and the town of Coggeshall. Coggeshall has over 300 listed buildings, many of them medieval, including an ornate 15th C merchants house (Paycockes). The full walk gives the opportunity to visit another old barn at Marks Hall Gardens.

Trains Take the 10:11 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street,(Stratford TFL10:18 ) arriving Kelvedon at 11:02. Return trains at xx:41.

Lunch There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (eg Chapel Inn, Woolpack) are ancient. However, ever-changing Covid restrictions will apply and you might be better bringing your own lunch. If doing the full walk, you can also visit Bouchier’s Barn Café at Marks Hall (01376 563 796). Facilities are open at Marks Hall, with a track-and-trace procedure in place.

Tea The Sun Inn, Feering Hill (01376 570 442) is the recommended stop. There's also the earlier Bell Inn, in Feering (01376 570 375), and, later, the Railway Tavern in Kelvedon. (01376 570293). You may need to book a table.

Visiting Because of Covid, you can only view Grange Barn and Paycockes from the outside at present. Marks Hall Gardens are open with no need to book. Entry £6. There's a National Trust "Tudor Walk" through Coggeshall that may be of interest (although you will have already passed some of the places by the time you reach Paycockes).

Walk Directions here. This walk can be shortened by cutting out all or part of the Marks Hall loop.

See our Covid Rules (walks page)

Basically break into, and stay in, groups of 6 or less. Exchange contact details. Social distancing.

bad walk tag

  • Anonymous
    Sep-20

    This walk sounds excellent . I may go. Jane

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Sep-20

    A suggestion to help separation. On leaving the station, (facing away from it) slow walkers to the left, fast walkers to the right The fast group (or groups) to leave first. RIGHT AHEAD The slow stay behind for a few minutes LEFT BEHIND Remember to share contact details within your group

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Sep-20

    No need to subdivide the heaving throng of 6 that turned up on this grey damp windswept and slightly chilly day. But we soon became 4+2 then 4+1+1 anyway. Paths slightly overgrown at the start but we got through. I and several others found the section where you leave Coggeshall’s streets and head for Robins Brook (on shortcut 1) confusing. Best not to leave the streets. Coggeshall’s main attractions (Paycockes, Grange Barn) were closed, as is Clocktower House but still plenty of old buildings to look at. Most ate in the churchyard and one had coffee in the White Horse (twice). Nobody went on the Marks Hall loop(s). There were a couple of traverses of large ploughed fields in the afternoon (thankfully not claggy). Some had tea in the Railway (both this and the Sun were open). This walk would have been better suited to a sunny day - like, for instance, yesterday :(

  • Marion
    Sep-20

    Sorry Ian but I went on the Marks Hall arboretum extension to re-visit the cafe which is now called the Orchard kitchen but this cannot under any circumstances be called an early lunch stop arriving at 2pm when one is already in Coggeshall at 12,45. Perhaps the walk notes should make this clear because the directions in the text of 2 shortcuts within the main body of the walk is very confusing. My companions did short cut 1 but I ploughed on literally over a number of ploughed fields with no footpath re-in statement leaving my shoes with enough wattle and daub to repair a medieval barn. Coming off the footpath I walked part of the gardens for free. The cafe which is a large medieval barn serves lunches until 2.30pm and I enjoyed delicious fish cakes of salmon and haddock with a runny cheese centre for £9.25. Leaving at 3pm I then proceeded to Coggeshall town centre arriving at 4pm where I caught the handy 4.15bus to Marks Tey railway station outside the Chapel Inn pub. This number 70 bus only runs every two hours 7 days a week. The Clockhouse cafe and secret garden are closed and up for sale sadly. All the National Trust properties are closed for now. I caught the train which runs every 30 mins at 4.36 I believe. Having done the walk 2 weeks ago in extreme heat and humidity this walk is not recommended for late September when the fields have been ploughed and it’s drizzling as it was today.

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Sep-20

    Sorry Marion I got the impression you'd stayed to explore Kelvedon but I must have misheard/misunderstood. Glad the meal was alright anyway.

  • Thomas G
    Sep-20

    Marion, with all respect, you are unduly harsh on the good old Kelvedon Circ: as the pdf states, "Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.30 hours for the full walk, or 10.00 hours for a short walk option." With Mr M Tiger posting a 10.11 train to take, he abviously aimed at the short option of the walk. If you then walk the full length walk anyway, you will be about 45 minutes behind the assumed arrival time at the Arboretum, even without first nipping into Coggeshall en route to the Arboretum. The route deliberately skirts around Coggleshall initially and goes straight to the Arboretum, so that even then one gets back and through Coggeshall in good time for lunch there. As for arable field crossings: before lunch, there is a small one within 5 mins of the start, and then there are another 2 between Coggeshall and the Arboretum (and then 2 more in the afternoon, but you didn't walk that part). Not particularly high a number for any walk, especially not in East Anglia, methinks...

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Sep-20

    With trains hourly at xx11 I was limited to the 10:11 . (In my experience on a Sunday the earlier the time the lower the turnout so no to the 911) I didn’t give a lot of thought to arrival time at Marks Hall but I’ll know for next time. And sounds like they were still serving.

Mr M Tiger
Toughness 3/10
Length: 10, 12, or 14.4 miles (16.3, 19.3 or 23.2 km.)
Highlights of this walk include an old mill, medieval abbey buildings, and Grange Barn (said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe). The town of Coggeshall, visited at lunchtime, has over 300 listed buildings, many of them medieval, including an ornate 15th C merchants house (Paycockes). There's another old barn, an optional lunch venue, at Marks Hall Gardens on the long walk.
Trains: take the 10:02 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street, arriving Kelvedon at 11:00.
Return trains at xx:41.
Lunch: There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (eg Chapel Inn, Woolpack) are ancient.
If doing the full walk, you can also visit Bouchier’s Barn Café at Marks Hall (01376 563 796).
Tea: The Sun Inn, Feering Hill is recommended. A little later, there's the Railway Tavern near Kelvedon station.
Visiting: You can see the outside of both Grange Barn and Paycockes for free. If you want to look inside, joint admission is £7.90. Admission to Marks Hall Gardens is £6.
Walk Directions here. The shorter versions cut out all or part of the Marks Hall loop.
bad walk tag
  • sylvia
    Apr-19

    4 wet then dry grey all day Four of us turned up on this grey day for a pleasant if unspectacular walk. There are some nice bridleways and pretty paths alongside small rivers. The highlight is visiting Coggeshall which is full of beautiful old buildings, and hats off to the National Trust at Paycocke's which for once allows you free entry to the rather sweet gardens and allotment. (We're not all members.) The rain unexpectedly came down in the morning rather than the afternoon, and one walker bailed out at lunchtime due to lack of waterproofs and caught the bus. Another walker had similarly got wet but dried off in the pub (White Hart, okayish for food but nothing special) and then three of us carried on, rain having stopped. We did shortcut I option, about 10 or 11 miles, caught the 17.41 train home after a decent cuppa tea in The Sun at Kelvedon.

Mr M Tiger
SWC Walk 216
Toughness 3/10
Length: 10, 12, or 14.4 miles (16.3, 19.3 or 23.2 km.)
It's spring and, in East Anglia, the winter bus replacements have gone back into storage. The station master has got the train out of the shed and is dusting it down. The good people of Essex can once more thrill to the sound of our boots tramping along their ancient byways.
This is a historic area. Walk highlights include an old mill, medieval abbey buildings, and Grange Barn (said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe). The town of Coggeshall, visited at lunchtime, has over 300 listed buildings, many of them medieval, including an ornate 15th C merchants house (Paycockes).
Trains
Take the 10:02 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street, arriving Kelvedon at 11:00.
Return trains at xx:41.
Lunch
There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (e.g. the Chapel Inn and Woolpack) are very old. There's also the Clock House Tea Rooms and, on the full walk, an ancient barn in Marks Hall Gardens serves as a tea room.
Tea
The Bell Inn in Feering (01376 570 375) is passed first. The Sun Inn, Feering Hill (01376 570 442), only 10 minutes from the station, is the recommended stop. Later still, you got the Railway Tavern in Kelvedon. (01376 570293).
Visiting
You can see the outside of both Grange Barn and Paycockes for free. If you want to look inside, joint admission is £7.50 for non-NT members. Admission to Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum is £5.75
Walk Directions here.
The shorter options involve cutting out all or part of the Marks Hall loop.
bad walk tag
  • Amib
    Apr-18

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Amib
    Apr-18

    I did a variant of this walk on Friday and all good with the instructions. I did the 'extension' out to Nunn's Bridge and then omitted both of the 'outer loops', making for a walk of about 12 miles. The wind/sun had dried the ground out a bit, but rain tonight could change that. At St Nicholas' Chapel, I had the pleasure of meeting 88 year old 'Jack', the benefactor of the seat outside, who is also a keyholder. Thus, I had the unusual privilege of being able to view inside. It was filmed, but won't be uploaded before tomorrow's walk. The A120 crossing is a bit harum-scarum, twice, but patience gets you safely across. There's a very good Indian about 10 mins further up the High Street from the Railway Tavern.

  • Chris L
    Apr-18

    You were right first time, Mr Tiger, so please move the earlier comment back to Ham Street again! There were just 3 on the Kelvedon walk in overcast conditions with an hour of light rain in the morning, and plenty of muddy bridleways throughout. Time was spent admiring historic buildings in Coggeshall, and yes, we lunched in the Woolpack Inn, too!

  • author image
    Mr M Tiger
    Apr-18

    3 overcast conditions with an hour of light rain in the morning (see previous comment)

Marcus
SWC Walk 216 - Kelvedon Circular

Length: 23.3 km (14.4 miles) or 16.3 km (10 miles)
Toughness: longer walk: 4 out of 10; shorter walk: 2 out of 10

London Liverpool Street: 10-02 hrs Ipswich service
Arrive Kelvedon: 10-51 hrs

Return: 16-23, 16-52, 17-23, 18-00, 18-32 and 18-54 hrs

Just over a mile and a half into today's walk you have a tranquil leg beside the Blackwater River before you arrive in the market town of Coggeshall with its many historic buildings. Of the many buildings of interest it is well worth visiting Paycocke's and Grange Barn. You can either have lunch in the town at one of the five pubs or restaurants mentioned in the Directions, or for those on the longer walk you can wait until you reach Bouchiers Barn Cafe on the edge of Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum.
The afternoon leg is mostly over vast fields or along field edges until you reach the village of Feering. Then your homeward leg takes you back to Kelvedon for tea at the Swan Inn or the Railway Tavern, close to the railway station.
This lovely walk in Essex seldom disappoints.
bad walk tag
Walk Directions here L=swc.216
  • Marcus
    Oct-17

    Rail & Underground Strikes: This Thursday 05 October RMT are due to go on strike on Greater Anglia trains, and ASLEF are due to go on strike on London Underground. Both are likely to inconvenience travel to Liverpool Street and Kelvedon. If the strikes are not called off by mid-day Tuesday 03 October I will CANCEL this walk and re-schedule it for another time. Disappointing maybe, but no great hardship as mid-week walkers still have a walk planned for Wednesday 04 October this week.

  • Marcus
    Oct-17

    As at 6 pm Tuesday 03 October the underground strike planned for Thursday 05 October is OFF but the rail strike remains ON. Greater Anglia expect to operate a near full service, so let's live dangerously and go ahead with the walk.

  • PeteB
    Oct-17

    Just 3 on this fine Essex walk and we enjoyed ideal autumn walking weather with sunny skies and a fresh breeze . Conditions underfoot were firm and dry. We reached Coggeshall just after 12 which allowed time for a visit to Grange Barn and Paycocke's. We hoped to eat at the ancient Woolpack Inn but the catering staff were on holiday so we walked back to the White Hart hotel for a decent lunch and in my case a quaffable Merlot! After lunch one of our number walked on to visit the arboretum whilst the two old codgers - Peteb and Marcus decided to amble back to Kelvedon which we reached just after 4pm for a relaxing cup of tea at the Railway Arms and then the 4.52 train back to London. An excellent day out in select company.

Sun, 04-Jun-17
Kelvedon Circular 16
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Kelvedon Circular
SWC Walk 216
Toughness 3/10
Length: 16.3 or 19.3 or 23.2 km = 10.1 or 12 or 14.4 miles.
Highlights of this Essex walk include stretches of the Blackwater river, old mills, medieval abbey buildings, and Grange Barn, said to be the oldest timber-framed building in Europe. The town of Coggeshall has over 300 listed buildings, many of them medieval, including Paycockes (a 15th C merchants house). The length can be adjusted by missing out or shortening a morning loop that takes you past Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum.
Trains
Take the 10:02 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street, arriving Kelvedon at 11:00.
Return trains at xx:41.
Lunch
There are many options in Coggeshall, see the walk notes. Some of the pubs (eg Chapel Inn, Woolpack) are ancient.
If doing the full walk you could also visit Bouchier’s Barn Café at Marks Hall (01376 563 796).
Tea
The Sun Inn, Feering Hill (01376 570 442) is recommended. There's also the earlier Bell Inn, in Feering,(01376 570 375) and the later Railway Tavern in Kelvedon. (01376 570293)
Things to visit
If you want to look inside Grange Barn and Paycockes, combined admission is £7 (free for NT).
Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum. Admission £6. (£5.50 for old-timers, RHS free)
Walk Directions here.
bad walk tag
  • Anonymous
    Jun-17

    Hi, I am thinking of doing this walk. Is any one else doing this walk as well?

  • Anonymous
    Jun-17

    There will be at least one more.

  • Anonymous
    Jun-17

    Excellent walk. Recommended - did it last year. Don't let the Essex label put you off!

  • Christel
    Jun-17

    Yes! We are going!

  • Christel
    Jun-17

    Morning! We will wait for you in Kelvedon station See you there!

  • Karen
    Jun-17

    16 sunny with big blue Essex sky 16 (I think) people and 1 dog departed from the car park at Kelvedon train station. Most arrived by train, but a few by car. (2 gentlemen were spotted with the SWC printout of the walk at the Grange Barn, but they were doing the walk independently.) A great day under big blue skies and through fields of green: wheat(?), blackcurrant bushes, some sort of beans. Those that took the scenic extension before Coggeshall enjoyed the sight of dozens of iridescent dragonflies flitting about in the long grass by the stream. I picnicked with 2 others in Coggeshall and we took a good long walk around the town. There was a garden open day where for a small fee you could visit some of the gardens tucked away behind the fascinating buildings, so there were quite a few visitors milling about. Lots of interesting details on the old buildings. Not sure if it's a permanent fixture or just there for the open day, but there was a great miniature steam train running through the front garden of one house. A town worth visiting. 8 at least did the long version of the walk. 3 of us just missed the 18:41 train back to London, so had a bite to eat and a drink at The Sun Inn. Caught the 19:41.

Thomas G
SWC Walk 216 Kelvedon Circular (via Coggeshall)
Length: 23.2 km (14.4 mi) [much shorter option available]
Ascent/Descent: 86m; Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness: 4/10
Take the 10.02 train from L’pool Street ( 10.09 Stratford), arrives Kelvedon 10. 51 .
Return trains are 2 per hour: xx.23 and 15.54/16.52 / 18.00 / then xx.54.
This walk is centred on the gentle landscape of the Blackwater Valley, close to Constable Country, and includes some very tranquil and scenic stretches along the river itself, interspersed with long stretches along country lanes, green lanes or field boundaries with wide and extensive views across the rolling Essex countryside of fields and woods. A pre-lunch north westerly loop explores the valley cut by Robin’s Brook, leading to Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum.
The lunch time destination Coggeshall is one of Britain’s most historic market towns. It has 300 listed buildings, amongst the ones passed on the walk are: Britain’s oldest barn (Grange Barn, NT), an impressive carved timber-framed Wool Merchant’s house, Paycocke’s (also NT, combi tickets are available), as well as one of its finest medieval buildings, built on the remnants of a 12th Century abbey and a couple of photogenic watermills and an outsized church.
The two NT-properties are now linked by an NT-trail, which you might want to explore instead of the bit of road walking between them (and in any case looks like a worthy addition to the walk as an extension --- > note to walk author).
A much shorter walk of 16.3 km length enables extended visits to the NT properties en route.
Lunch is either on the Marks Hall Estate in the Café in Bouchier's Barn (11.1 km/6.9 mi, cooked food to 14.30), or at one of many places in Coggeshall (about 14.5 km into the full walk/7.5 km into the short walk): Ranfield’s Brasserie (formerly Baumann’s Brasserie), Clock House Tea Rooms, The Chapel Inn, The White Hart Hotel or The Woolpack Inn.
West Street Vineyard is actually the No. 1 ranked place for food in Coggeshall on Tripadvisor, so it might be worth checking out if it’s not too far along the road out of town.
For tea there are The Sun Inn, or The Railway Tavern, and the Kings Fish Bar.
For summary, map, height profile, photos, walk directions/options and gpx/kml files click here .

Next Week: SWC 30 Battle Circular 20.4 km 6/10 bad walk tag
  • Mike
    Sep-16

    Thomas Thanks, I personally find it really useful to know what's coming up the following week!

  • Marc Ricketts
    Sep-16

    Now I might do the Walk on Wednesday. But I can't Guarantee I will. Mind you I have done it before about 2 years ago. But I did it on a Sunday. While I went to Manchester for the day on Saturday before that.

  • author image
    Mike A
    Sep-16

    I'm intending to go and do the "much shorter walk of 16.3 km length" thus enabling extended visits to the NT properties en route.

  • Anonymous
    Sep-16

    I am hoping to attend and get on the correct train this week.jfk

  • Marion
    Sep-16

    Sorry I can't join you'all but will come next week. When I did this walk 2 years ago I spent time in every NT venue. Garden and shop in Coggeshall not finishing till 9pm. I even went back a year later and bought designer guild cushions after visiting the RHS garden by car. Thoroughly recommended especially the Secret Garden cafe in Coggeshall . Don't miss it if you're free. I'm going from Rainham to Purfleet in the Thames estuary with a Footprints of London professional guide as part of the Totally Thames festival. Last week of my season ticket. They are doing Literary London next month. £45 fior the month and 70 walks to choose from!

  • Thomas G
    Sep-16

    10 walkers in initially sunny later overcast conditions. 9 off the train, 1 encountered later in Coggeshall waiting for a bus to Chelmsford, apparently off a later train. A fine day for a walk that benefits more than most from dry conditions on the ground. Rolling hillocks, tranquil riverside stretches and picturesque old buildings. 2 opted for the short walk, once we all got to Coggeshall, 2 walked the standard long walk, 4 investigated a new extension in Coggeshall along the Essex Way initially and then back along the Blackwater river, which was quite nice, so will be added to the route as an option. 1 had said he'd walk 'the much shorter 16.3 km version', but then was found sitting at the table at the lunch stop on the long walk, Bouchier's Barn at Marks Hall Arboretum, without being able to explain how he got there, and BEFORE anyone else... The one downside of that lunch place is: no booze. So a pub stop at the Woolpack Inn was kind of mandatory. Another swift one at the Sun Inn in Feering, close to the end. 18.24 train for the tailenders.

  • Jane from Kew
    Sep-16

    Tptally enchanting morning walk to Coggleshall off later train . Had to leave early after buying plants to get back for energetic Scottish country dancing in evening.jfk