Essex Way: Stagden Cross to Pleshey

The Essex Way is a long distance walk from Manor Park, Newham to Harwich, a distance of 96 miles (you can also start the walk from Epping). Gill and I have been walking in stages along the route (off and on) for a couple of years.

Yesterday, we started off from our previous finishing point at Stagden Cross and walked along the Essex Way to Pleshey then self guided back to the start point by a different route. Just over 6.5 miles

The weather was glorious and the countryside was empty. We saw 2 other walkers during the whole trip. The Essex Way has lots of ancient green lanes as well as paths through open fields under big skies. 

Pleshey is a medieval village with a ruined castle (visit by appointment only) thatched cottages with beautiful flowers and the remains of a defensive moat and embankment around almost the entire village.  Its pub, "The Leather Bottle" was serving take away roast dinners for £10 each. 

The route is well maintained and sign posted but best to get a map or guidebook (or for £2 per month download the ordinary survey app to your smart phone).