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.

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.

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.

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.

6

warm to hot and humid

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.

This walk sounds excellent . I may go.

Jane

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

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 :(

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.

Sorry Marion

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

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...

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.

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.

This comment has been removed by the author.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

Hi,

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

There will be at least one more.

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

Yes! We are going!

Morning! We will wait for you in Kelvedon station

See you there!

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

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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