Difficulty 4/10
A varied north Essex walk to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the sorry remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10:03, Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05.
Return from Newport at xx:13. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Lunch: Plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. The 8 Bells 01799 522790, adjacent to Bridge End Garden, is recommended. (The gardens themselves would make a nice picnic spot). The walk route passes the Saffron Suite & Kitchen (01799-588882) and the Cross Keys Hotel (01799-522207) on the High Street.There are several cafés in and around Market Place, and, on the way out of town, a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975).
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
2 comments:
N=7 set off at a brisk pace (a bit too brisk for Mr Tiger, but, to give him credit, he kept up). Three more followed the same walk as far as Saffron Walden but they kept themselves separate.
It was w=sunny-all-day the scenery was pretty, and there was no mud.
In Saffron Walden, the 8 Bells was quickly dismissed as a lunch stop - too pricey. The group sped on to the Cross Keys but it was fully booked. So it was back to the Saffron Suite, where there was plenty of space. Those who ate were impressed by the quality. There was even praise for the nut roast.
The only fly in the ointment, more a big fat bluebottle than a fly, was the dismal choice of beverage. No cask beer and the cider had run out. Just Peroni and Guinness – extra cold Guinness, at that. :( Mr Tiger tried putting on a brave face but not very successfully. In fact, he wittered on about it all the way to Newport. It didn’t help that on touring the town after lunch, we passed at least one more pub, (the Kings Arms), a Tiptree teahouse and a micropub. Too late then, though.
Off we sped toward Newport without mishap - unless you count the ‘diversion’ round the tree-tunnel. This confused the lead walkers who shot off along the bottom of the field , not realising the diversion was only a few feet. More of a wobble than a diversion . Probably best to rewrite that bit.
Everyone enjoyed the walk, even grumpy old Mr Tiger who was still banging on about the beer.
Cohesion factor: 100%.
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