Pleshey, Essex Walk

On last Sunday 16th Gill and I did a 5.5 mile circular walk around the ancient village of Pleshey. Home to a famous medieval castle (now long gone) mentioned in Shakespeare's "Richard II". We have walked in the area a number of times but used this time a route from Country Walking magazine.

We saw near a lake, a much smaller bird repeatedly appear to attack and drive off a much larger Red Kite. I assume competition over food/territory?  

Mostly easy going, flat countryside, with a very muddy/clay final stretch. The weather was dry but overcast but there was still plenty of big Essex skies. We stopped for lunch outside the Great Waltham Guildhall. The former home of Sir William Wade who at the Tower of London interrogated (tortured?) Guy Fawkes over the Gunpowder plot.

Great Waltham is also known as the home of Elizabeth Lowys who was executed as a supposed "Witch" in 1565.

On the "listening bench" we sat upon for lunch, next to the war memorial, there was a QR code that you could use to download personal accounts by local residents of life in the village during World War 2, with reminisces of German bombing raids, the arrival of American servicemen and singing Italian prisoners of war. 

We drove from East London in around 50 minutes but you can use public transport via train to Cheltenham then bus 48 or X10. We stopped off on the way home for a drink at the George and Dragon pub in Wanstead. 

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).