Showing posts with label Walking in Essex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walking in Essex. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2024

Havering-atte-Bower 4.5 mile circular walk


Another late post. This is a nice little 4.5 mile circular walk in East London with some great views of London and lovely countryside despite being so near to built up areas. Some rolling countryside and woods but nothing difficult. 

Started at Bedford Park with coffee (and hot sausage roll with brown sauce) at the modern cafe/visitor centre. 

Weather wasn't great, a bit wet and muddy but rain had stopped. Saw a large herd of wild deer outside park. 

Highlight of walk was the massive "Wellingtonia Redwood" trees (see above) in the former Royal hunting ground now called Havering Country Park. 

There is a deer park in Bedford Park where people fed the deer carrots (contrary to signs) through the fence. Walled garden was closed which was a shame. 

Since it was St Patricks Day we stopped off for a drink (and a pint of guinness for me) at the Orange Tree pub beer garden. 

Check out "Walking in Essex" by Peter Aylmer and Facebook link other photos. See map of route below.



Saturday, December 05, 2020

Post 2nd Lockdown circular walk around Little Baddow, Essex

 

Off message and hat tip to "Walking in Essex" by Peter Aylmer but today Gill and I went for a lovely 5 mile walk around Little Baddow, Essex, which is around 45 minutes drive from Forest Gate. The full walk is 10 miles but we split it in two. 

This is one of the hilliest parts of Essex and there are many stunning landscape views but also everywhere, there was wonderful Essex big skies vista. The mostly blue skies and sunshine helped. 

We saw onroute one muntjac deer, grey squirrels and many pheasants, 

There was a slight problem that the River Chelmer was flooded (ses collage) so we had to make detours but with membership of OS Maps online you can find out where you are via your smartphone and see what alternative routes you can use. 

It was sad to read in our guidebook that Lady Alice Mildmay (of Little Baddow Hall see top left) haunts a bridge we crossed where she killed herself in 1615 "to escape her husbands unkindness". 

Apparently also that Baddow Manor used to belong to Scottish King (or rebel)  "Robert the Bruce"