Birdbrook walks

Discover the start of the river Stour, Constable's country

Discover the start of Constable's river Stour.

See where the racehorses train and enjoy the panorama of the Cambridgeshire countryside from some of it’s higher points.

A lovely walk around the Cambridgeshire border.

An impressive Jacobean House, a colourful park and a cute pub are a few of the things you can discover during the Audley End Walk. Follow me in Essex for a walk through history, perfect for a stroll with friends, family and our four-legged companions.

A circular walk around the small Essex town of Great Dunmow.
With plenty of historic buildings, a fine 13th century church, some great pubs and a fantastic Indian Restaurant this provides any visitor a taste of this ancient town. The walk is simple and easy and one cannot visit Dunmow without discovering the interesting history of the Dunmow Fitch which is the main feature to this walk.

A circular walk in a comparatively unspoiled part of mid Essex, between Chelmsford and Braintree. It is particularly suited to being a winter walk as most of the route is on quiet country lanes, surfaced bridleways and grassy field paths, thus avoiding the worst of the Essex mud. It is a good walk for any time of year though, with fine views across open countryside and is, for the most part, devoid of traffic noise.

Reviewed and updated April 2024

A picturesque walk (public paths) along the famous river that gave its name to Cambridge. Enjoy seeing the rowers racing in their fragile boats, the cox shouting at them, and the coach biking along the path.

A pleasant stroll in the Essex countryside along field paths, secluded lanes and a stretch of river bank. Along the way there is an 18th century former priory, a canal lock (and tearoom), the delightfully named World's End Cottage, a ford and the Parish Church of St. Andrew.

Pleasant stroll in the Essex countryside at Hatfield Peverel along field paths, secluded lanes and a quiet stretch of the river bank.

A point to point walk from Foxton Station to Shepreth Station with a nice woody interlude through the Wimbish Estate.

For those 3 easy walks, you will visit the 3 stations composing the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership.

From Foxton Railway Station you can take in the sights of Foxton - the Dovecot, Foxton Wood, St Laurence Church and the White Horse Pub.

An easy stroll in the countryside near Wickham Bishops, departing close to the redundant St Peter's church, passing beneath the last wooden railway viaduct in the country and then along the meandering banks of the River Blackwater. The return passes through woodland and has some excellent views across the Essex countryside. This is an all-seasons walk but is particularly good in spring and autumn.

Checked and updated May 2022

You will enjoy the scenery south of Cambridge along the Cam river, and the picturesque village of Grantchester.

See all the sights of Shepreth : Docwras Manor Garden, the Crossing House Garden, Shepreth L-Moor (SSSI), Shepreth Church, The Plough, The Teacake and Shepreth Wildlife Park.

A point to point walk from Shepreth Station to Meldreth Station passing through the village of Melbourn.

Easy walk starting at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve parking. The walk is along the waterways.

A circular walk from Histon to Girton and beyond. Through woods, across fields and on a variety of tracks and roads.

A surprisingly rural walk on the outskirts of Cambridge, seeing the Histon and Oakington parish churches and an ancient oak. Occasional glimpses of guided buses hurtling along.

A circular walk that circumnavigates the village of Little Baddow. Beginning in Lingwood Common, the route follows bridleways, footpaths, the river towpath and quiet country lanes. A good walk for any time of year, but not after spells of prolonged rain when the towpath, especially, can become something of a quagmire. Walking it in spring is highly recommended as Blake's Wood is nationally known for its display of bluebells.

Checked & updated: August 2021

This walk, close to the ancient village of Woodham Walter, offers a nature reserve, arable fields, woodland and The Wilderness. The route is along bridleways and footpaths for the most part, with a couple of short sections on country lanes. There are only two cross-field paths so it's a good winter walk but, like any Essex hike, it can be muddy after rain.

Explore Hylands Estate following this path through the park.

3 village circular walk through Howegreen, Great Baddow, and Sandon

Along pavements, footpaths and bridleways and across fields.

A largely rural walk through three villages near Cambridge with interesting churches. One section passes an old airfield being developed as the new town of Northstowe.

An Essex walk that explores the salt marshes between the village of Tollesbury and the River Blackwater. Tollesbury has much of interest inclusing a bustling marina, restored sail lofts and a preserved lightship.

Two villages and atmospheric fenland droves around the White Cross Farm.

Along the Great Ouse to a historic pumphouse and a popular riverside pub.

A river and fenland walk to the stunning cathedral city.

A circular walk from Purleigh that passes close to three excellent pubs using footpaths, bridleways, byways and short sections of country lanes. It joins St Peter's Way here and there, follows a disused railway track and goes through vineyards before meeting a WW1 airfield. A walk for all seasons, although sections can be muddy after rain.

Please see the Useful Information section for important information regarding the aerodrome.

Reviewed & updated 26/5/21

We divert off the Essex Way to take in some of the histories of this old town. Rejoin the Essex Way for a short distance, before leaving it for one last time. Then follow St Peters Way thru' High Ongar & most of the way to Blackmore. We follow St Peter's Way for over a mile to Fryerning then thru' the village & across fields to Mountnessing. A short walk thru' a housing estate & industrial estate to enter Hutton Nature Reserve to soon finish at Hutton Village.

If you are looking at this walk, it is likely that you want to leave the city for a breath of fresh air. And you can … without leaving it! So, take your Oyster card (or contactless card) and jump on the Central Line with me for a walk through Epping Forest!

From Epping Station, we follow the Essex Way for our whole route. Thru' fields and an ancient track to Coopersale Street, then across fields to Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve. Cross over the M11 and go in a straight line towards Toot Hill. Thru' Toot Hill village and fields to Greensted and onto Chipping Ongar. Two videos at YouTube, one by John Rogers and a second by voxley19, both cover this whole walk.

This quiet circular walk uses a section of Epping Forest Centenary Walk close to Ambresbury Banks (remains of banks) before you follow a path in Birch Wood with lovely views over Deer Sanctuary and its wildlife!

This circular walk close to Loughton Camp provides a good way to discover Little Monk Wood, Baldwins Pond and less used paths along Loughton Brook enjoying this peaceful area.