The Essex Coast - Manningtree to Great Oakley

The Stour Estuary from the Essex Way

This write up has now moved to https://griffmonster-walks.blogspot.com/2021/05/manningtree-to-greatoakley.html. The first stage of a weeks walking along the Essex Coast between Manningtree and Maldon. This first stage followed The Essex Way which pretty much follows the Stour estuary and would be the most convenient way to negotiate this section of coastal estuary. Although the footpath does not hug the coast throughout its route, it gives some good views of the estuary as well as pleasant woodland and field walking. It is well marked and well trod.

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Essex Coast Walk - Manningtree to Great Oakley

A day walk along the Essex Way

A fine piece of walking along the Essex Way to provide some glorious views of the Stour estuary before turning inland to avoid Harwich and Dovercourt. Estuary views, marsh, woodland and open fields make for a varied scene throughout the walk.

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Ouse Valley Way - Oakley to Carlton

A 13 mile North Bedfordshire walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Oakley and Carlton taking in the charming villages of Pavenham, Sharnbrook, and Odell.

Although the Ouse Valley Way does not actually go into Oakley, there is a convenient bus stop here that links the two ends to this walk. The bus stop is a mile or so from the river, from where there is a footpath which joins the official route at Stevington and then winds its way through the rolling Bedfordshire countryside. There's plenty to see and explore along the route with medieval river bridges, the Holywell at Stevington, the ghostly tales of Odell and the picturesque villages of Pavenham, Radwell, Sharnbrook, and Harrold. Although many of the villages pubs have finally closed their doors for good in recent years, there are still convenient refreshment stops on route.

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The Essex Coast - Great Oakley to Walton-on-the-Naze

A 10 mile along the Essex Coast from Great Oakley to Walton-on-the-Naze

The walk follows the edge of the marshes in front of Skipper Island and Horsey Island and the Naze with little views of the open sea. The route is predominantly defence banks that border the creeks and springs that meander through the marshland. There is plenty to see from the wild life to the decaying hulls of wrecked boats that sit disregarded on the mud banks.

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The Essex Coast - Manningtree to Maldon

 

The Essex Coastline is arguably the longest of any British county when you take into account all the estuaries that need to be navigated. The total distance can be in excess of 300 miles and encompasses seaside towns, wild and remote marshes and pleasant country paths. There is currently no official footpath around the Essex Coast although there is currently negotiation taking place for the instating of the England Coast Path through the county. This guide provides a coastal route that can presently be used. With the assistance of Peter Catons book 'Essex Coast Walk' and the appropriate OS maps, one can make up a route of ones choice and this is a fine way to explore this part of the British coastline. Our path started along the Essex Way and then used recognised public footpaths and sea defences where possible. When all else failed we had to resort to road, but thankfully there was not too much road walking.

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North Norfolk Railway Beer Festival 2012

The 11th North Norfolk Railway beer festival

Once again the North Norfolk Railway came up with another outstanding beer festival. Over 100 ales plus ciders were on offer in the perfect surroundings of a working steam railway together with live music. Carriages on platform 2 gave ample seating and cover for the few times when rain began to fall and a bbq in a wagon offered hotdogs and burgers. In my opinion the best beer festival around!

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Eye to Hoxne Circular Walk

A 10 mile walk around the Suffolk villages of Eye and Hoxne

Hoxne is said to be where St Edmund was Martyred by the Viking invaders in the 9th century. The village is full of reminders of the gruesome event including the cross which marks the place of the oak tree his assailants tied him to, beat him, fired arrows at and eventually beheaded and the bridge he reputedly hid trying to escape his captors.

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Ouse Valley Way - Houghton to St Ives Circular Walk

A 5.5 mile circular walk from Houghton to St Ives using the Ouse Valley Way

A simple and easy riverside walk following the course of the River Ouse. The walk uses the Ouse Valley Way to St Ives, returning via the picturesque Hemingford villages, full of thatched cottages and olde worlde charm. There's plenty of pubs, there's river locks, there's the iconic mill at Houghton which makes this a well worthwhile wander. Make a whole day of it and take in the sights and sounds and, of course, the quintessential English pubs.

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