Kelvedon Circular Walk

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 then several more lunch options 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.

Bus lines X20, 320 and 570 between them provide a daily and frequent service from Coggeshall to Colchester, Marks Tey, Braintree, Stansted Airport and Chelmsford stations.
Two Shortcuts – cutting out all or parts of an outer loop just before lunch – reduce the walk by 6.9 km and 84m ascent/descent or by 3.9 km and 49m ascent/descent respectively. They are rated 1/10 and 2/10 respectively.
An Extension to the listed Nunn’s Bridge over the Blackwater River just before Coggleshall and through the lightly wooded riverside meadows adds 2.5 kilometres.
An Extension to the Brockwell Meadows Nature Reserve

Kelvedon station, map reference TL 862 192, is 19 km north east of Chelmsford, 26m above sea level and in Essex. It is on the London Liverpool Street to Norwich Main Line. Journey times are from 48 minutes Mondays to Saturdays (two trains per hour), and from 51 minutes Sundays (hourly service).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.30 hours for the full walk, or 10.00 hours for a short walk option.

Mrs Salisbury's Famous Tea Rooms Bouchier's Barn, Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG (01376 233 001). The Tea Rooms are located 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. It offers morning coffee, light lunches and teas, with homemade cakes available all day.

Plenty of options in Coggeshall. Check the pdf for details.

The Bell Inn The Street, Feering, Essex, CO5 9QQ (01376 573 306). The Bell Inn is located 2.0 km from the end of the walk and is a 16th Century inn.
The Sun Inn 3 Feering Hill, Feering, Essex, CO5 9NH (01376 570 442). The Sun Inn is located 0.5 km from the end of the walk.
The Tavern on the River 182 High Street, Kelvedon, Essex, CO5 9JD (01376 570 293). The Tavern is located 0.4 km from the end of the walk on the banks of the Blackwater River.
OTTO Italian Restaurant 180A High Street, Kelvedon, Essex, CO5 9JD (01376 411 069). OTTO is located 0.4 km from the end of the walk.
Kelvedon King 201 High Street, Kelvedon, Essex, CO5 9JD (01376 570 565). The King is located 0.5 km from the end of the walk.

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

Jun-26 Thomas G