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Walking in Essex

25 walks and a 96 mile 'across Essex' route

Guidebook to 25 day walks in the county of Essex. Ranging from 4 to 17 miles, the walks showcase the county's delightfully varied landscape. Also includes a full description of the 96 mile 'Across Essex' route, which incorporates the Essex Way and a traverse of Epping Forest on its way from Manor Park to Harwich.

Seasons

all four seasons can be enjoyed by the walker in Essex. With its mostly clay soils, it's a good idea to wear boots after prolonged rain

Centres

Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow, Saffron Walden, Southend. Easy access also from neighbouring counties (including Kent by the Dartford crossing) and east and north London

Difficulty

the walks are suitable for all abilities. Ascents are mostly short and rarely steep. Some longer walks of up to 18 miles are included for those seeking more of a challenge

Must See

the coast - unspoilt and barely known away from the famous resorts; an internationally important refuge for bird life. Green lanes - Essex has more than any county save Dorset. Wood and forest - Epping, Hatfield, Hainault and many others
ISBN
9781786310224
Availability
Published
Published
11 Apr 2019
Reprinted
13 Feb 2023
Edition
Second
Pages
208
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.25cm
Weight
240g
Overview

A guidebook to 25 day walks in Essex and a 155km (96 mile) long-distance route that follows the Essex Way from the fringes of London in the west to the port of Harwich in the east. With routes in the guidebook covering the whole of the county there’s something for beginner and experienced walkers alike.

The day walks are all circular, except for 3 linear routes, ranging from 7–29km (5–18 miles) in length and walkable in between 2 and 8 hours. The cross-Essex route consists of 11 stages of 8–23km (5–15 miles) in length, which take between 3 and 6 hours to walk.

  • 1:50,000 OS maps included for each walk
  • Transport, refreshment and accommodation information given for each stage of the cross-Essex walk
  • Information given on local history, geology and wildlife
  • Local points of interest are featured including Epping Forest, Constable’s Dedham Vale, Audley End
  • Easy access from London, Chelmsford and Colchester

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Peter Aylmer Cicerone author AYLMER

By Peter Aylmer

Peter Aylmer has climbed many hills and walked many long-distance paths all over Britain, and is equally at home in a tent or bothy in the Scottish Highlands as he is in a nature reserve hidden in some unconsidered London suburb.

Peter still relishes the surprise on people’s faces when he tells them that some of his favourite walking is in London and Essex. The secret is knowing where to look. This started early for Peter, visiting his uncle's farm in Essex; later, taking the tube out to Epping Forest after work so that he could walk back home through it. Now, as a walk leader for the Long Distance Walkers Association, he is still developing new routes through both town and country in southern England.

Peter spent his career in education, from teacher and politician to writer and editor at national level. He is now chair of trustees for the UK wing of an international aid charity.

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