Saturday 23 June 2018
Saturday Walk - Wickford to Battlesbridge
Wickford to Battlesbridge T=swc.157
Length: 21.6 km (13.4 mi) 4 out of 10 (Longer option to South Woodham Ferrers 16 miles)
This surprisingly diverse and rural walk avoids industrial and suburban features often associated with walking in Essex, but instead leads through plenty of rolling grassy fields, quiet lanes and a smattering of woods, before heading through the enchanting - Wildlife Trust run - Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve. After a short stretch along the reservoir itself it then heads for the lunch pub: The Old Windmill in South Hanningfield. The afternoon route leads through more grassy fields, valleys and wooded strips, before following the tidal River Crouch into Battlesbridge.
Given the long daylight hours, there is the option of a longer ending to South Woodham Ferrers, which is 16 miles (" extremely tranquil and very coastal in character. It is especially attractive at low tide") (4pm today).
Trains: Get the 0955 Southend train to Wickford 1031 from Liverpool Street (Stratford 1002). Return trains are Battlebridge xx20 xx50 change at Wickford (5 minutes) for platform 3 xx31 xx51 to London. Return to Battlebridge or SWF if contemplating the longer walk. (SWF is xx16 & xx46)
Lunch: The recommended lunch stop is the Old Windmill Inn (01268 712 280) in South Hanningfield (5.7 miles/9.2 km into the walk).
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2 comments:
Apologies to the lady SWC regular I met at the station this morning. I got on the wrong Southend-bound train, only discovering my error too late. I didn't actually leave the station on a train,so I'm christening it the 'Liverpool Street Station Circular', a not especially valuable addition to the SWC menu. Wonderfully helpful staff at ticket office. Note - You can get a full refund if you claim within an hour. Hope the Wickford walk went well.
n=10 walkers on this w=warm-sunny day. The pre-lunch section of the walk was very enjoyable and The Old Windmill was a pleasant surprise with an interesting menu and large garden. Unfortunately the afternoon section was very flat with the overgrown paths that seem a regular feature of Essex walks. All did the standard Battlesbridge ending and most had refreshments in the garden of The Hawk Inn near the station where a local band was playing.
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