Arboretum, Air Planes & Architecture

A circular walk of approximately 10.5 Miles on pretty much flat terrain. It is an eclectic mix of landscapes from a mix of pretty architecture period building filled streets at the beginning, to attractive rural countryside, passing alongside a local airfield before heading into a beautiful country park estate with lakes, an Arboretum and walled gardens*

(*Please note there is an entrance fee of £9 pp into the Country Park Grounds and it isn't a National Trust Park) 

We will start (and finish) in the pretty small market town of Coggeshall, which is a bit of a hidden historical gem in North Essex. A local market town which has been in existence here since 1256 and there are an abundance of lovely period architecture buildings (300 listed ones in fact according to wikipedia).

From Coggeshall we will head out into some of the attractive rural countryside that North Essex has to offer. Our route will then take us past the Earls Colne Airfield where the plane enthusiasts may want to get photos of some small light aircraft normally parked up and if we're really lucky maybe even see one land/take off!  There is an Essex Air Ambulance base here too.

A short walk from here will take us through some lovely woods into the Marks Hall Country Estate. Originally these were the grounds of a large 17th Century House. Sadly this was demolished in the 1950's but the grounds are now a big visitor attraction within a beautiful heritage landscape that extends to over 2,200 acres. We will spend some time here on a designated walk taking us past the 2 impressive formal lakes, through the pretty & well stocked walled gardens which the gardeners amongst you will appreciate. It's then onto more woodland including impressively filled Arboretum featuring trees from across the globe and an 800 year old American Oak with an impressive 27ft Girth....

Whilst here there will be time for a well earned break at the cafe for coffee and cake before we head out again into countryside back into Coggeshall. We will finish the walk with a traditional OutdoorLads walk finale pint at one of fine old drinking establishments here!

Is it dog friendly?  Whilst our 4 legged friends are welcome for the majority of the walk, they are not permitted in the arboretum in the Marks Hall Estate. Dog owners would therefore have wait outside the estate cafe with their 4 legged friend before being joined again by the group after their walk section around the estate grounds itself. Otherwise, please note and abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and be prepared couple of stiles on the rest of the walk. Please also remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.

New Members - I would like to warmly welcome any newbies looking perhaps to try this as their first Outdoor Lads event. You may find this link useful https://www.outdoorlads.com/my-first-event or if you have If you have any questions then feel free to message me. 

Travel to Coggeshall  Sadly there is no train station in Coggeshall. However, for those unable to come by car and looking to come from London, it is possible to get there by train and then bus. Mainline trains go from Liverpool Street to Marks Tey village which is about 4.5 miles from Coggeshall. From Marks Tey (by the station) there is a bus service to Coggeshall centre (Market Hill stop) and the journey is around 15 minutes

https://www.essexbus.info/pdf/FESX_70.pdf

At time of publishing this event - the below schedule would work for coming from London  via Current Train & Bus Timetables: 

From London Outbound - Catch 08:36 from Liverpool Street - Arrives Marks Tey Station 09:31 - Get Bus from Marks Tey Station at 09:53 to Coggeshall - Arrives 10.07am (walk commences 10.30am)

Return Home - See same link above for times, but the bus and train times tie in quite well again for the return bus from Coggeshall to Marks Tey station for the train back to Liverpool Street. 

Please double check yourself prior to booking and of course this is assuming both these modes of public transport are operating correctly on the day! 

 Photo credits: All photos taken by Andy Gent. Permission given to OutdoorLads to reuse

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