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Home> Walks> England> Essex> Essex Way: White Notley to Coggeshall

Essex Way: White Notley to Coggeshall

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Walk directions

While apparently out in the middle of nowhere, the proximity of the route to the railway makes a good start and/or finishing point for this section of the Essex Way. Just downhill from the railway station is a track leading off to the northeast, which takes the walker through the farmstead of Fambridge Hall, where the ancient timber barns are worthy of a few minutes’ contemplation.

Beyond this farm, the track turns right and passes under the railway track, through a delightful old egg-shaped and echoing tunnel, and then continues to the Braintree–Witham road. A few hundred yards up this road, the route regains the fields and leads to Cressing Church.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Field footpaths, riverside paths, tracks, some road
  Landscape  - Fields, river, gravel workings, ancient market town of Coggeshall
  Dog friendliness  - There is one short section of busy road and livestock in fields
  Parking  - On street in White Notley
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Essex Dog-friendly walks in Essex
About the walk
Starting on the outskirts of London beside a far outpost of the London Underground network, the Essex Way winds through peaceful rural scenery in a northeasterly direction, connecting briefly with civilization at the market towns of Ongar and Coggeshall before arriving at Dedham Vale and Dedham in...
Read more
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About the area
Essex is full of pleasant surprises. It has the largest coastline of any county in England, with its fair share of castles, royal connections and scenic valleys.
Explore Essex
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
The Lion Inn
★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Quality underpins everything at this inn...."
  • Rooms 23
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Bed & Breakfast
Motts Cottage
★★★★
award
"Everything for an overnight stay..."
Hotel
County Hotel
★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Soundly appointed, comfortable rooms in a popular and stylish hotel..."
  • Family rooms: 3
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
The Lion Inn
The Lion Inn offers stylish and comfortable accommodation; well-equipped with TVs, free WiFi and full air-conditioning, it appeals to leisure and business guests alike. Many rooms benef...
★★★★    Rating
Motts Cottage
Guest accommodation at Motts Cottage is a large, spacious en suite room in a garden annexe, within walking distance of a pub. The ancient Flitch Town of Great Dunmow, with excellent res...
★★★★    Rating
County Hotel
Established in 1928 in the grounds of the Old Rainsford Manor, County Hotel is just three minutes from the rail and bus stations, and 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre. the property...
★★★★    Rating
Wakes Hall Lodges
Wakes Hall is comprised of luxury 1 and 2-bedroom single-storey lodges completed in 2013 to a high specification, including en-suite facilities to each bedroom (wet rooms), fully fitted...
★★★★★    Rating
Osea Leisure Park
Things have changed considerably at Osea Leisure Park, overlooking the Blackwater Estuary, since the 1930s when pea-pickers camped in fields here. Today, you can choose from luxury lodg...
★★★★★    Rating
Osea Meadows
From safari tents to a hook-up pitch, Osea Meadows offers a wide range of glamping and camping options. With access to excellent coastal and inland walks for both walkers and cyclists, ...
★★★★★    Rating
Pontlands Park
Pontlands Park is a Victorian country-house hotel situated in a peaceful rural location amid attractive landscaped grounds. The stylishly furnished bedrooms are generally quite spacious...
★★★    Rating
Potters Resorts Five Lakes
Set in 320 acres of glorious Essex countryside, Potters Resorts offers all-inclusive short breaks designed for adults, throughout the year. The perfect place to relax and unwind with an...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The House by Hilly Gant
   AA Rosette Award
The Noble Goose
   AA Rosette Award
The Lion Inn
The Lion
Places to eat nearby
The House by Hilly Gant
   AA Rosette Award
The Noble Goose
   AA Rosette Award
The Lion Inn
The Lion
Galvin Green Man
   AA Rosette Award
Pig & Whistle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Samphire Restaurant at The County Hotel
The Three Horseshoes
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
2hrs 40min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Flat


Distance:
7.4 miles (11.9kms)

Ascent:
0ft (0m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Essex
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Essex Way: White Notley to Coggeshall

Recommended by
Walk details
2hrs 40min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Flat
Distance:
7.4 miles (11.9kms)
Ascent:
0ft (0m)
Walk directions

While apparently out in the middle of nowhere, the proximity of the route to the railway makes a good start and/or finishing point for this section of the Essex Way. Just downhill from the railway station is a track leading off to the northeast, which takes the walker through the farmstead of Fambridge Hall, where the ancient timber barns are worthy of a few minutes’ contemplation.
1 of 6

Beyond this farm, the track turns right and passes under the railway track, through a delightful old egg-shaped and echoing tunnel, and then continues to the Braintree–Witham road. A few hundred yards up this road, the route regains the fields and leads to Cressing Church.
2 of 6

Although now a sleepy hamlet, Cressing has an interesting history and is certainly worth a visit. From Cressing, follow the route as it crosses over fields and next to Egypt Farm. Turn right and make your way cautiously along a road beset by speeding cars and turn left after 250yd (229m) onto a footpath. The route zig-zags over very flat land through a number of fields and can be difficult to follow along this stretch, but make sure that your first right turn is immediately after a high hedge rather than before it as the waymarker appears to suggest. You should eventually emerge at a small road, within sight and sound of large gravel workings up ahead.
3 of 6

The path proceeds down the left-hand side of a lake to join the entrance track to these gravel workings, which leads to another road east of Bradwell Hall.
4 of 6

After following this road to the east for a few hundred yards, the path is signposted off to the left, descending to the tree-lined banks of the River Blackwater past an alpaca farm. Then follows a pleasant stretch along the side of the river for 0.5 miles (800m), to more gravel out of the slight valley towards Curd Hall Farm, where it joins the farm drive and proceeds once again parallel with the river for almost a mile (1.6km), eventually emerging by Grange Farm.
5 of 6
Grange Barn is the oldest surviving timber-framed barn in Europe and dates to the mid-12th century. It was originally part of the Cistercian Monastery of Coggeshall, and was restored to its present glory in the 1980s. It is now a National Trust property. From here, about 0.25 miles (400m) south of Coggeshall, the walker has a number of options. It is possible to skirt the town centre and rejoin the footpath on the easternmost side of town. Alternatively, continue eastwards across the road from the barn to the remains of the abbey itself, founded by King Stephen and given over to the Cistercian order in 1148. The abbey is of particular architectural interest because of the widespread use of brick in the 12th and early 13th centuries. Continue east across the river and then take the footpath north, eventually reaching Coggeshall town church.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Field footpaths, riverside paths, tracks, some road
  Landscape - Fields, river, gravel workings, ancient market town of Coggeshall
  Dog friendliness - There is one short section of busy road and livestock in fields
  Parking - On street in White Notley
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Essex Dog-friendly walks in Essex
About the walk
Starting on the outskirts of London beside a far outpost of the London Underground network, the Essex Way winds through peaceful rural scenery in a northeasterly direction, connecting briefly with civilization at the market towns of Ongar and Coggeshall before arriving at Dedham Vale and Dedham in...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Essex
Essex is full of pleasant surprises. It has the largest coastline of any county in England, with its fair share of castles, royal connections and scenic valleys.
Explore Essex

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
The Lion Inn
★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Quality underpins everything at this inn...."
  • Rooms 23
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Bed & Breakfast
Motts Cottage
★★★★
award
"Everything for an overnight stay..."
Hotel
County Hotel
★★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"Soundly appointed, comfortable rooms in a popular and stylish hotel..."
  • Family rooms: 3
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
The Lion Inn
The Lion Inn offers stylish and comfortable accommodation; well-equipped with TVs, free WiFi and full air-conditioning, it appeals to leisure and business guests alike. Many rooms benef...
★★★★    Rating
Motts Cottage
Guest accommodation at Motts Cottage is a large, spacious en suite room in a garden annexe, within walking distance of a pub. The ancient Flitch Town of Great Dunmow, with excellent res...
★★★★    Rating
County Hotel
Established in 1928 in the grounds of the Old Rainsford Manor, County Hotel is just three minutes from the rail and bus stations, and 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre. the property...
★★★★    Rating
Wakes Hall Lodges
Wakes Hall is comprised of luxury 1 and 2-bedroom single-storey lodges completed in 2013 to a high specification, including en-suite facilities to each bedroom (wet rooms), fully fitted...
★★★★★    Rating
Osea Leisure Park
Things have changed considerably at Osea Leisure Park, overlooking the Blackwater Estuary, since the 1930s when pea-pickers camped in fields here. Today, you can choose from luxury lodg...
★★★★★    Rating
Osea Meadows
From safari tents to a hook-up pitch, Osea Meadows offers a wide range of glamping and camping options. With access to excellent coastal and inland walks for both walkers and cyclists, ...
★★★★★    Rating
Pontlands Park
Pontlands Park is a Victorian country-house hotel situated in a peaceful rural location amid attractive landscaped grounds. The stylishly furnished bedrooms are generally quite spacious...
★★★    Rating
Potters Resorts Five Lakes
Set in 320 acres of glorious Essex countryside, Potters Resorts offers all-inclusive short breaks designed for adults, throughout the year. The perfect place to relax and unwind with an...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The House by Hilly Gant
   AA Rosette Award
The Noble Goose
   AA Rosette Award
The Lion Inn
The Lion
Places to eat nearby
The House by Hilly Gant
   AA Rosette Award
The Noble Goose
   AA Rosette Award
The Lion Inn
The Lion
Galvin Green Man
   AA Rosette Award
Pig & Whistle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Samphire Restaurant at The County Hotel
The Three Horseshoes
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby