Length: 9.5 miles (15.2 km); 3/10
This walk takes advantage of the Greater Anglia hare fares offer to visit Audley Park and Saffron Walden. The route starting from Audley End is suggested to take in more of Audley Park. This is shown as the Short Walk option on the page for the main walk starting at Great Chesterford. The posted train doesn't stop at Great Chesterford, so if you want to do the full 17.5 km walk you will need to get the 0928 or 1028 train.
Travel: 0958 from Liverpool Street, arriving at Audley End 1050. Get a return to Audley End. You need to go on the Greater Anglia website to get the £10 Hare Fare.
Lunch: several options in Saffron Walden, see the main walk page.
Tea: the White Horse (01799-540002) on Belmont Hill, Newport, a traditional village pub 10-15 minutes before the station.
Shortening the walk: buses from Saffron Walden to Bishops Stortford stop at Audley End.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=swc.130.b
2 comments:
N=5
It seemed as though autumn had finally arrived, when five walkers alighted for the shorter walk, from Audley End to Newport. Rain was forecast for later in the day. Luckily, however, the sun did put in an appearance and we were able to enjoy a drink in the sunshine at lunchtime. We chose The King's Arms, as it had a nicer outside space.
The walk itself was enjoyable and undemanding, through rolling countryside and around the outskirts of Audley End estate. Saffron Walden is a fine town, with some interesting buildings. A 'Coffee and Music' event was just finishing at St Mary's Church as we arrived. I spotted a sculpture nearby, Children of Calais, https://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/2020/03/dorset-house-garden/
unveiled by Lord Dubs in 2019.
One of our group decided to go back from Audley End. This was a wise move, as it turned out...
Arriving into Newport at the end of the walk, we found that the intended tea stop did not open until 4. We were also too early for the half hourly train timetable.
However, heading towards a bakery/café, Dorrington, which was open till 4 pm, we spotted a bistro/café, Kappa House, which had opened three months earlier. This made a perfect afternoon tea stop, but it does shut at 3:30.
Refreshed, we headed, to our train, only to find that it and the train after were cancelled. It was then decided to catch a bus to Bishops Stortford, to pick up a train there. Luckily we realised that this would just be the same one we would be on, if we stayed in Newport. So we agreed to spend the 40 minutes waiting time in the White Horse, which was about to open.
This turned out to be a great plan, although our delay did mean that the rain found us.
A relaxing day, with a slightly stressful end!
Post a Comment