Little Leighs - Essex Way - Great Waltham - Little Leighs

Brian and Anne Sandland

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Little Leighs - Essex Way - Chatham Green - River Chelmer - Great Waltham - Howe Street - Little Leighs

This is one of those walks which has great views and tracks almost all the way. Starting at the tiny settlement of Little Leighs, where you can use the church car park, you use a goodly stretch of the Essex Way. This is a long-distance path which rarely disappoints from the points of view of easy walking and excellence of views and this section is no exception! Passing through Chatham Green you arrive in Great Waltham at the River Chelmer. On the day we prepared this walk there were scores of large brown trout to be seen in the river. Passing the magnificent building known as Langley's, you can view a family's pet cemetery before crossing a deer-park which affords excellent views of the hall. Eventually leaving the Essex Way you walk north, then east on more field-paths, still with good views, until you eventually find yourself on a lane by Little Leighs Hall. A short stroll from here in a south-easterly direction brings you back to your start point.

England - East England - Essex - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, River, Wildlife

8/10/2019 - Martin Stimson

Did this walk yesterday with two dogs and clocked exactly 7 miles in 2 hrs 40 mins. The walk is easy to follow, largely level and takes in some interesting Essex Countryside. Well worth doing and one to repeat if you live in the area. A few cows in the field near Waltham didn't disturb us and we gave them a wide birth. The road crossing on the A130 is very busy and the speed is easy to misjudge. Please take care. The path is now popular with Ramblers and is quite well used so easy to follow. The Church seeks a donation for parking in their carpark which seems fair enough. At Waymark 18 its possible to do a detour (There and back) to the pub 'The Compasses' for a real ale and a bite to eat. This extends the route but makes a pleasant summers walk

10/15/2011 - Debbie Seton

We did this walk yesterday and were very lucky with the weather - warm sunshine with a cool breeze and the many lovely views were enhanced by bright blue skies. An enjoyable and fairly varied walk - not at all difficult. Quite a bit of field edge walking, which isn't that exciting at this time of year. A few of the local farmers had also ploughed up the footpaths, but signage was good throughout and it was clear where we should walk.

8/8/2009 - David Pereira and Jeni Chester

we done this walk again, as we enjoyed it recently, warm humid day, a bit muddy due to rain previous night, pleasant walk again, we fed the geese again at the pond at point 2, after the walk, near to the car park. nice flat walk.

6/19/2009 - David Pereira and Jeni Chester

Off road rambling. This was a really nice easy flatish walk. At point 7 by the bridge crossing the river Chelmer we saw large trout, and at next bridge a mini weir. Ideally situated at end of point 12 we stopped at the pleasant Green Man inn. The rest of the walk was pleasant, at the end we returned to the lake at point 2 and walked around the pond, fed the geese and saw some large carp, which ended this walk superbly.

12/30/2007 - Mark Southwell

Very good instructions - fields a bit gooey in December - very flat terrain quite a novelty for me but enjoyable all the same - Mark Southwell

10/29/2005 - Jim Rider

Had a great family walk. Easy to follow all directions and instructions although some legs are straight across cultivated fields. Took us 145 mins. There are a couple of pubs en route and lots of great views. New roads in the area do not affect the walk. Jim Rider