The Belchamps

Alan Rayner

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The name Belchamp St Paul comes from the French 'beau champs' meaning beautiful fields. It is still an attractive tree-lined village, surrounded by fields. The St Paul part of the name is because the parish was given to St Paul's Cathedral in the year 931 and remained largely ecclesiastical property until 1947. Up till 1971 the village had a relatively wide range of services, but since then the shops, post office and bus service have closed and now only two public houses, the Half Moon and Cherry Tree remain.

The walk largely attempts to follow the boundary of Belchamp St Paul parish. (Beating of the bounds of a parish was an old English custom for perpetuating the parish boundaries; this ceremony traditionally took place annually in May on Rogation Days, (the three days immediately preceding Ascension Day), when the priest, churchwardens and other parish officials perambulated the boundaries accompanied by boys who beat the boundary stones with boughs. As an aid to memory the urchins were sometimes beaten or bumped on the stones). It is however unknown as to whether this tradition was ever undertaken in Belchamp St Paul.

England - East England - Essex - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Wildlife
7/11/2019 - Sid Marks

Most of the paths on here are severely overgrown with marker posts missing.Had to re-route twice as they were impassable,which are,at waymark 5,the cross field path is no longer there.Carry on walking following the field edge,left,then left again until you reach the track on the right leading to the farm. At waymark 16 carry straight on to Gages Rd,turn left and follow the road to waymark 17. We parked in the Half Moon public house car park after asking the landlord.Exit the car park,turn left,and follow Gages Rd for 200 yards to the footpath at waymark 1. If anyone does this walk,be prepared for trekking through very long grass alot of the time.

1/13/2009 - Walkingworld Administrator

Actually Paul, you parked just where Alan suggests, but you are quite right, space is very limited.

1/12/2009 - Paul Woodgate

10 01 09 A good walk to start the year with; clouod cover didn't lift so everything stayed covered in frost, so got some lovely photographs. Very clear directions and plenty of variety in landscape. Only issue was parking; Belchamp St. paul appears to have no off-road parking at all - I parked opposite Community House and hoped no-one would object!