Finchingfield - Howe Woods - Little London - Howe Street

Brian and Anne Sandland

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Finchingfield is 54 miles from London, but seems in the back of beyond. At the time of William the Conqueror it was known as Phincingfelda and was given to the Knight Roger Bigod. The church with its crown-like bell-tower dates from Norman times. It stands on a hill above the village green with its pond and stream surrounded by an incredibly varied and beautiful arrangement of cottages and other buildings. You will see much thatch and pargetting. There is also a windmill on a road leading off the green. One thatched cottage along this road is known as the Round House and another as the Pepperpot. Dodie Smith (writer of 101 Dalmatians) used to live just outside the village. Lucien Pissarro, son of the better-known Camille, also stayed nearby to paint, following in his father's footsteps. Spains Hall, dating from Elizabethan times, was more recently owned by a family named Ruggles. A member of this family, involved in prison reform, founded the Borstal system. You will pass two moated farmhouses during the course of your walk.

England - East England - Essex - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Pub, River, Stately Home, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland
6/22/2020 - Sid Marks

Re-walked after 10 years. Finchingfield is so beautiful. Really do like this walk. Couple of updates. At waymark 1,the footpath is before the house named Molen, not after. Waymark 2 needs to be altered as the route has slightly changed. It should read as follows. The path soon becomes enclosed. Follow it to a gate,go through,pass through a small field to another gate. Go through,then immediately over a footbridge. Do not pass through the hedge gap on the left, but keep straight on with a hedge and ditch on your left to another gate. Go through here and follow the path to a road, with a white painted thatched cottage on the right. Turn left on the road.

8/17/2010 - Sid Marks

Enjoyed this walk, Finchingfield is lovely. Just a few pointers about the walk: At waymark 2, the stiles have been removed leaving an open gap. At waymark 7, the path in the corner leading to the deep dry ditch, is badly overgrown with thistles and stinging nettles. At waymark 12, there is about a mile of road walking. Enjoy the walk.

4/22/2007 - Robin Philpott

I did this walk on 22/4/07, a lovely sunny day after 3 weeks of dry weather. It's clear that this walk would be very boggy for long stretches after rain. Still a lovely walk, though, as with any by Brian and Anne. Note that neither of the 2 stiles referred to in waymark 2 exist any longer - both are just gaps in the hedge and the signs for the two groves in waymark 5 have disappeared.

11/18/2004 - Walkingworld Administrator

Please note this walk has now been rerouted to take into account David's comment regarding the footpath between waymarks 9 and 10. The route now follows public rights of way throughout.

11/14/2004 - David Niblett

4 of us enjoyed this one.. lots of deer. The step between 9 and 10 does not follow a public footpath though and as there was grouse shooting in progress we had to go up to Belcumber hall to cross over to the Cornish hall area.

4/7/2002 - David Harris

Very pleasant walk, a bit boggy in places - would be wise take wellies (Tesco bags!).We throughly enjoyed it though.