17.7 km., 10.8 mile. (full walk: 23.7 km (14.7 mile)
Difficulty 3/10
This Essex walk passes impressive old cottages - thatched, timber-framed, pargetted, the works. Gently rolling hills, pretty villages, an old church and a friendly lunch pub. The 10.8 mile version using Shortcut 1 is suggested.
Trains Get the 10:25 Ely train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:38) to Audley End station, arriving 11:22.
Trains:return from Audley End at xx:47and xx:10. Get a return to Audley End. (Wendens Ambo’s station is named after the nearby stately home).
Lunch: The Axe and Compasses in Arkesden 01799 550272. Restored after a devastating fire, this pub re-opened last month. (The later Elmdon Dial, is still closed).
Anyone up for the 14 miler could visit the Red Cow in Chrishall tel:01763838792
Tea:
The Bell, Wendens Ambo (01799 540382) open to 6.
Walk Directions here Shortcut 1 recommended.
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Wendens Ambo Circular walk
North West Essex hills and pretty villages
History
This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.
| Date | Option | Post | # | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, | Sunday Walk: Wendens Ambo Circular | 4 | chilly start but sunny | |
| Sat, | Saturday Walk - Quiet Chalky Uplands of North West Essex - Wendens Ambo (Audley End station) Circular (Long or Short) | 5 | dry | |
| Sun, | Sunday Walk - Quiet Chalky Uplands of NW Essex: Wendens Ambo (Audley End station) Circular | 4 | grey | |
| Sun, | Sunday Walk: Essex hills, woods and villages | 1 | sun and cloud mix with humidity | |
| Sun, | a | Sunday Walk: Wendens Ambo Circular | ||
| Sat, | Wendens Ambo Circular walk | 5 | very hot and sunny | |
| Sun, | Sunday Walk - Quiet Chalky Uplands of NW Essex: Wendens Ambo (Audley End station) Circular | 10 | passing clouds with plenty of sunny breaks | |
| Sat, | a | Saturday Third Walk – The quiet chalky uplands of NW Essex | 9 | slightly damp start dry later with some sun |
| Sat, | Saturday Third Walk [Fully Revised] - North West Essex chalky uplands and pretty villages | 23 | Perfect sunny winters day | |
| Wed, | Midweek day walk - Wendens Ambo Circular | 15 | overcast to start then sunny | |
| Sun, | Wendens Ambo Circular (from Audley End) | 7 | ||
| Sun, | ? | Wendens Ambo Circular, omitting Elmdon | 10 | |
| Sun, | Wendens Ambo Circular (from Audley End) | 2 | ||
| Sun, | Wendens Ambo Circular (from Audley End) | |||
| Wed, | Wendens Ambo Circular (from Audley End) | |||
| Tue, | Sunday Walk - Quiet Chalky Uplands of NW Essex: Wendens Ambo (Audley End station) Circular |
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16-Oct-233 set off at the appointed time. A chilly start but sunny all day.
The Axe and Compasses has indeed been reborn. Maybe a bit too reborn. No longer the sleepy run-down pub I remember. They were fully booked and, according to the landlord, they are on Saturdays too. So no food at the inn. We had a drink anyway. A quick look in the church, then on to shortcut 1
Nearing Wendens, the others sped up to catch the 16:10. Poor Mr Tiger, who had thought it was at 16:17 anyway, just missed it.
While waiting on the platform, for a whole 37 minutes - thinking about how he could have been in the Bell - he encountered walker number 4 who, unbeknownst to everyone, had also done the walk.
The route then gently ascends to Chrishall, the dedicated lunch stop on the full walk, along field boundaries and green lanes. Chrishall village is close to Essex’ highest point and the approach offers fine views into the Hertfordshire plain and back down the wide ‘winding valley’ that gives Wendens Ambo its name. After lunch you follow the Icknield Way to Elmdon, with views north out across the Cambridgeshire plain to Cambridge, then alongside a high hedge with views off to your right into the winding valley back to Wendens Ambo.
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25-Mar-23
As told today: "about a handful", "never put my waterproof jacket on". So, let's say 5 dry
Length: 23.7 km (14.7 mi) or 17.5 km/10.9 mi
Ascent/Descent: 240 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 5 ¼ hours (both: full walk)
Toughness: 4 out of 10 or 3 out of 10
A slightly longer, more westerly route (25.7 km/16.0 mi) takes you over Essex’ highest point itself.
Take the 09.57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10.03, Tottenham Hale [Victoria Line] 10.10), arriving Audley End at 11.00.
Return trains: at xx.10 and xx.47. Buy an Audley End return.
This is a relaxing walk in the quiet chalky uplands of north-west Essex, on the borders of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, very much off the beaten track, and with gently rolling hills, plenty of woods and copses as well as some pretty villages. Right from the start the walk takes you past picturesque thatched cottages with ample examples of pargeting, a decorative medieval plastering technique, and on through some farmland to the early lunch stop in Arkesden, one of the prettiest villages in Essex with one of the best pubs and loveliest churches.
The route then gently ascends to Chrishall, the dedicated lunch stop on the full walk, along field boundaries and green lanes. Chrishall village is close to Essex’ highest point and the approach offers fine views into the Hertfordshire plain and back down the wide ‘winding valley’ that gives Wendens Ambo its name. After lunch you follow the Icknield Way to Elmdon, with views north out across the Cambridgeshire plain to Cambridge, then alongside a high hedge with views off to your right into the winding valley back to Wendens Ambo.
Lunch: The Axe & Compasses in Arkesden (4.9 km/3.0 mi, food from 12.00) for the short walk or The Red Cow in Chrishall (13.1 km/8.2 mi, food to 15.30).
Tea: The Bell Inn, 10 minutes from the station.
For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.116
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27-Jun-21
4 , which is in fact a massive upturn in numbers compared to previous Sunday postings of this walk. Under grey skies we walked all day, until the clouds eventually broke up to reveal blue skies, but that was while we were waiting for the return train at Audley End station. Then, after an hour on the train, at Liverpool Street, it was all hands to the zippers of the waterproof jacket: three seasons in a day!
The walk: an orgy of greens, with loads of cereal fields swaying in the breeze, and lots of people out and about everywhere. The church in Arkesden was visited, one keen walker chose the extended version and was cajoled by the walk author into 'volunteering' to check the text for that stretch, while he text-checked the main walk (all for one and one for all). Two then turned right to follow the shortcut, and walk author and keen walker reunited in Chrishall.
The Red Lion has indeed turned plans into reality: the formerly half-fallen down historic barn next to the pub has been turned into a top-notch rooms annexe, a large outdoor area had been Covid-secure designed and the menu looked (and was) more appetising than ever. Chrishall had its annual Scarecrow Festival on today, so we had already admired some of the scarecrows en route and could then watch the punters walk past with their scoring sheets.
All that investment by The Red Lion of course means only bad news for the ex-Elmdon Dial, which by now should have been back as The Maltings. But it isn't. Money must have run out at some point during the eternal refurb, as plenty of new double glazing windows are in place, but many other important bits are obviously still missing. What a shame.
Us two just about missed the 18.10, so the (faster) 18.47 it then was, which meant we could roast a little in that short window of sunshine.
Length: 17.5km (10.8 miles) or 23.7km (14.7 miles)
Toughness: 3/10 or 5/10
10:18 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:40) arriving at Audley End at 11:34.
Semi-fast return trains direct to Liverpool Street are at xx:47 (journey time 67 mins). Or take the stopping service at xx:10 (journey time 74 mins).
This is a peaceful walk through rolling hills, woods and pretty villages in north-west Essex on the Cambridgeshire borders. With a rather late start you’ll probably prefer to choose the early lunch stop after just 3 miles, The Axe & Compasses (01799 550272) at Arkesden, even if you plan to do the full walk. The later pub, The Red Cow in Chrishall after 8 miles, could be a welcome second refreshment stop before resuming the walk. If doing the shorter walk, the villages of Chrishall and Elmdon are omitted.
You will need to download the walk directions.
T=swc.116
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07-Jul-19
Well this was a first for me but 1 today, even with sun and cloud mix with humidity . I suppose the thought of swimming and climbing a cliff on the coast was far more alluring for others. I can’t understand why. The miles of following field boundary after field boundary after field boundary was exquisite.
I do jest, but the first half of the walk was very enjoyable, even if just in my own company. The churches were interesting, especially the Cutte memorial. They were worth the visit, and a bit of a reprieve from the humidity. The road walking wasn’t too bad but the last few miles through the fields was a bit of a slough.
I picnicked so I can’t comment on the pubs but I would personally would recommend getting an earlier train and lunching at the second pub. The first one was too early, even with the later train.
Just one note on the directions and that is that the Harcamlow way is now signed, which must have happened since the last walk check. It does make that section a bit easier.
A nice walk overall.
Gently rolling hills, impressive old cottages, pretty villages (particularly in spring - it's spring, right?), thatch, pargeting, an old church and a friendly lunch pub.
The full walk is a bit long for the time of year so the short cut is recommended.
Trains: Get the 10:13 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street to Audley End station, arriving 11:22. (The station is named after the local stately home).
Get a return to Audley End. Trains return from there at xx:47 and xx:10.
Lunch: The Axe and Compasses in Arkesden 01799 550272.
If any Billy or Milly Whizzes are up for the full 14.7 mile circuit, their pub would be The Red Cow, Chrishall, 01763 838 792
Tea: There are two pubs in Wendens Ambo , the CAMRA-recognised Bell, slightly off your route to the station and, further away, the Fighting Cocks, past the station turnoff and across the main road. Directions to both in the text.
Directions are here
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Walk not possible due to overhead power supply being cut by a fallen tree. Trains were only running as far as Broxbourne. Route was changed due to unrelated engineering work resulting in much slower speed. As a bonus this afforded passengers a slow drive-by viewing of the new Tottenham Hotspurs stadium which looks most impressive.
I saw no other walkers and did the Cheshunt to Broxbourne walk in bright sunshine with just a few showers.
Distance: 23.7 km (14.7 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Catch the 09:28 from London Liverpool Street, arrives 10:30. T=swc.116
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The shorter version of the walk is 10.8 miles long. However the lunch pub is reached after 3 miles. Doing the walk in reverse, one would reach the the pub after 7.8 miles, though they stop serving food at 14.00 hrs.
Perhaps an early and leisurely lunch is appropriate for those wishing to do the shorter version in what promises to be sultry conditions?
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01-Jul-18
5 off the 9:28. One stayed on the station to “change his socks” and was not seen again – at least not by me. I suspect this “wrong-way-Johnny” followed the map in reverse. Then I dropped back to change the battery in my camera. Not a euphemism. It was saying it was "exhausted" – it was a little too early for me to feel the same but I never caught the others up. The day was very hot and sunny and by the time I reached Duddenhoe End, after a refreshment stop at the Axe and Compasses, I was beginning to empathise with my camera and doubted the wisdom of the full 14.5 mile walk. Realising the version that turned round at Elmsdon was no longer in the directions, I took the short cut. (I regretted this decision later cos once I reached cruise mode I could have kept going, like that battery-related bunny). Note that there is a substantial climb involved in the shortcut. But once you’re up on the ridge, it’s plain sailing. A bit too plain. On return, I made a point of visiting the Bell – a first for me -and disgraced myself by asking for the cold fizzy cider rather than the warm still cider they proffered. It was hot – OK? They have a big garden out the back. Nice day out.
For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.116
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12-Nov-17
passing clouds with plenty of sunny breaks , combined with a fierce breeze. Almost all of the 10 had not walked this route before. 6 opted for the main walk, 4 for the short version, so we split in Arkesden (one of the many pretty villages en route), with one set going to the pub, the rest to the church (one of three very beautiful churches en route), and then on. Although we didn't walk through any woods, we still got our fill of autumn colours, along the many tree-lined tracks and lanes. Combine that with the sound of the wind in the trees and of the boots on the leaves...perfect.
We had one moment of apprehension when The Red Cow was jam-packed, fully booked and w/o any room to squeeze into. So, an outside table it was gonna have to be, but stoically we ordered food anyway and waited with our drinks in hand near the bar, hoping that a table might become available as and when the food would be ready. And so it came to be. It was a longish wait, but the fare was very tasty as always in this well-run pub. And not particularly expensive either.
On with views into Cambridgeshire and back to the rim of the Wenden valley just in time for the best of the sunset: flaming red clouds and a burning horizon, that stayed with us for a while and we then just about reached Wendens Ambo before darkness. 2 headed straight for the station, 4 to The Bell Inn, where we met 2 of the short walkers. 17.47 train for the last of us.
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12-Nov-17
Just uploaded the video to this walk so a shame that I couldn't do it before you went!
There's still an issue (on top of the bridge one mentioned in the text) with the 'extended' version of this walk, which I didn't do (like you), but was noticeable at Chrishall church; the path up from the B1039 was 'closed' a few weeks ago, for no apparent reason. Did you notice that today?
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12-Nov-17
Hi amib, it's been a long time...
That bridge issue is the reason for the path closure: the bridge over the stream at the bottom of the path by the B road has been broken since at least early 2016 when I wrote the text. And the drop down to the stream is too steep and high to contemplate going through it w/o a bridge. Essex may find some money some day to replace it.
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13-Nov-17
Certainly has Thomas! The old hip's on the mend now though and almost back to 'normal', so I'm following in your footsteps once again.
Thanks for the info and hope to see you on Dec 7th ;-)
Length: 17.2 km (10.7 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:28 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:40*), arriving Audley End at 11:30. If you miss this, the next train (at 10:58) is faster and you'd only be 20 minutes behind the main group.
Direct trains back from Audley End are at 19 (fast) & 40 minutes past the hour. If you just miss one of these and a Stansted Airport train shows up a few minutes later, you could take this and change there for a fast train to Liverpool Street: an Audley End ticket is valid on this route.
This gentle walk through the Essex countryside was fully revised at the start of 2016, acquiring a comprehensive set of directions and a full description of its features. Its new author took the opportunity to add a characteristic extension or two but carelessly left behind this shorter version, compounding his error by describing its lunch stop as one of the best pubs in one of the prettiest villages in Essex (and with one of its loveliest churches too). That sounds good enough for me. The revised Main Walk had its début in February so here's a chance for more leisurely types to try this Short Walk.
The ‘pretty village’ is Arkesden which you'll reach in just over an hour, hence the late train. The Axe & Compasses here is the only pub on the Short Walk route, so given its reputation you might want to call them when you set out and reserve a table. At the end of the walk a short detour will take you to the highly-rated Bell Inn in Wendens Ambo, but if you're in a hurry it looks as though you could grab a drink at the station kiosk.
[Anyone who would like to try the longer Main Walk should take the train an hour earlier. The lunch stop is in a different village but you might bump into the others towards the end, or at the tea stop.]
You'll need to print the directions from this pdf document.
* The National Rail site has now been updated to confirm that the weekend engineering works on this line are only on the Sunday, so Saturday's trains will be calling at Tottenham Hale as advertised. T=swc.116.a
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22-Sep-16
Coincidentally, I've led the full version of this walk yesterday for The Ramblers. What can I report? Perfect walk for a sunny day: all streams and ponds dry, the (few) field crossings a doddle, The Red Cow in Chrishall as good as always, the Elmdon Dial still not re-opened, the station kiosk indeed providing for great hot drinks (they have a proper barista coffee machine), chilled chocolate bars, booze etc.. Not sure about their opening hours on Saturday though. Slack walk research, I'd say...
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9 for this walk (2 on the early train doing the full walk, 7 on the later) slightly damp start dry later with some sun Not bad at all and nothing like the grim forecast. Wicken Water was bone dry.
The Axe and Compasses didn't disappoint. The walk has been tweaked since map days and I find the tweaks easier to follow. Never saw the others again after Arkesden. The 17:19 was delayed so me and a long walker got the 17:25Stansted Express and changed at the airport for London.
I think I like this walk more every time I do it. The big wide views, the pretty cottages....
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02-Oct-16
3 who took it easy did the 10 mile walk whilst at least 5 of stronger stuff did the 14 mile
Length: 23.7 km (14.7 mi) [longer and shorter walk possible, see below]
The recommended lunch options are The Axe & Compasses in Arkesden (4.9 km/3.0 mi) for the short walk or The Red Cow in Chrishall (13.1 km/8.2 mi) [a table has been booked]. For tea it’s either The Bell Inn, 10 minutes from the station, or The Fighting Cocks, 5 minutes beyond the station.
For walk directions click here. Due to server trouble, Grandmaster David C had to create this link for us to the gpx files (one each for main walk, extension and shortcut).
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24-Feb-16
Intend going.
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25-Feb-16
This comment has been removed by the author.
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25-Feb-16
This comment has been removed by the author.
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25-Feb-16
pdf and gpx files now linked up, see you on the walk.
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Intend coming with both neighbours. Cannot download gpx file (never was able, no doubt due to me, not you). Is there any chance to provide a link to a KML file? No problem if not. Have maps as well.
Feel for David with web problems, we are suffering daily outages, lasting hours, at Somerset House this week, no printing etc so disruptive.
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26-Feb-16Its not you, it's me :)
Links to the files are there now.
Andrew
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SWC 116
10.28 train 6 of us
Surprisingly pleasant weather though a bit of a wind
Lots of snow drops and daffodils and lots and lots of fields that one said reminded them of Waiting for Godot
The villages were pretty and the pub in Arkansas was excellent with good food and very friendly service - so good that we even left them a tip
We met 5 of the walkers from the earlier train at the station and
they were so clean of mud that it looked like they had hardly walked any distance at all ? ? ?
That said we were devoid of any mud splatter on our gaiters and no clods on our boots.
This is only my second time with the group and I was priveldged to meet Monsieur Tigra who apparently is rarely seen - oh and we saw birds of prey and were sorely frightened by a canon going off in a field that made our bones rattle as the shock wave went through.
Wendens Ambo Circular
Book 3* Walk 116 *online only
Brief Description
Suggested Lunch stop
Suggested Tea stop
Maps
Return train times
There are other trains to and from Audley End via Stansted Airport, but these may well be more expensive.
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09-Feb-16
we'll be fine
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Thank you Thomas for leading us today. The short cut route passes near a fab fishing lake with bird life. ideal for picnic. Very scenic and a much nicer route than anything else seen in the morning.
If you are re-writng the route could I suggest taking a look at the stately home of Audley End- the foremost Elizabethan manor house run by English Heritage lived in by Queen Elizabeth I? Also Saffron Walden -Essex's foremost village for pubs and medieval buildings-a jewel in the crown of Essex fine villages which outshines the countryside of large fields and featureless vegetation in winter.
I left Jane's purse at the station booking office.
Warning to fellow walkers. If you use a rucksack similar to other walkers check before putting your valuables inside. it was only discovered after the owner looked inside to retrieve a banana and found a wallet purse with money and train tickets! We need to exchange phone numbers and make sure we answer our mobiles otherwise Jane's purse would be in East London now.
Hope the longer walkers enjoyed the Bell pub which only opens after 5pm
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11-Feb-16
The Great Newport to Chesterfield walk goes through Audley End and Saffron Walden, Marion
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11-Feb-16
15 overcast to start then sunny
14 walkers off the train, 1 materialising out of thin air at the lunch pub. How she always does it, we'll never know...
Quite a good attendance for a harmless map lead Essex walk with minimal directions onethinks, especially when considering some Wednesday regulars were said to have gone on a different walk of the 'via Clapham Junction'-variety.
Well, we were rewarded with the perfect weather for the rolling uplands of Northern Essex, incl. some pretty perfect villages with loads of beautiful old buildings, and a very cosy pub serving excellent food with East Med influences (downside: it comes very early in the walk).
No problems with the route finding, but there may be room for a tweak or two to the route, and maybe a longer alternative routing further West, where there are more pubs to chose from, more conveniently spaced throughout the day.
Order taking at the Axe & Compasses was a bit slow in fairness, while food delivery was very fast, so that some people were already eating before everyone else had placed orders.
Inevitably that prompted the sandwichers to move on (well...the sun had just come out). Later three walkers took the shortcut, the rest stayed together and arrived back at Wendens just as the sky turned red. Most settled in at The Bell for a drink or two. The final two standing then ended up at the SuperTuscan in Spitalfields upon return to the Smoke for some more refreshments.
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11-Feb-16
Thank you very much Marion for re connecting me with my wallet.It would have been a long walk back to London from Wenders Ambo .jfk
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11-Feb-16
Aha, all's well that ends well. I would particularly like to express my thanks to John, who had the common sense to bring a torch, and thereby sparing me the inconvenience of falling headlong into a ditch after a wobbly return to the station from the Bell Inn. It really was a 'grand day out'.
For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.116