Monthly Archives: May 2011

Walks And Walking – Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Hertfordshire Walking Route

Walks And Walking Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Hertfordshire Walking Route

Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve comprises of four woods: Bencroft, Broxbourne, Hoddesdonpark and Wormley and all offer perfect forest walking routes. All of the woods are ancient, although recent research suggests the area was Roman (or pre-Roman) agricultural land that was abandoned then re-colonised by trees.

Here are some photos from the walk: Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail

There are no shortage of signposts in Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Hertfordshire

There are no shortage of signposts in Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Hertfordshire

The area’s animal life includes badgers, weasels, grass snakes and Muntjac deer; and the woods are also home to woodpeckers, woodcock, tree creepers, hawfinches, buzzards and sparrowhawks. Twenty-seven species of butterfly have been recorded at the site, including grizzled skippers, white admirals and purple hairstreaks.

Our walk today started at the car park at Bencroft Wood East on White Stubbs Lane where we headed down the track just to the left of the Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve (NNR) Trail information board. We then turned left at the main track where we found the signs for The Hertfordshire Way and the Broxbourne NNR pinned to each waymarker. There are plenty of well maintained signposts, bridleways, waymarkers and tracks on this walk which made it very easy to follow.

So, continuing to follow The Hertfordshire Way and Broxbourne Woods NNR signs we walked through the woodland forest until we reached the pathway on our left just before the road which led slightly uphill until we reach White Stubbs Lane where we turned right and walked a short distance to find the signpost on our left on to The Hertfordshire Way (THW) which crosses meadows and several kissing gates following the natural pathway we diagonally crossed the field and through a gap in the hedges where we found a small fenced in pond housing a multitude of geese, ducks and turkeys!

We then turned right on to the road and walked a short distance before turning left back in to meadows to continue along THW and the NNR signs ending up by yet another kissing gate which headed down to a footbridge and dense woodland. We then turned right by a signpost which had 9 options on it and along THW and NNR through a dense pine forest which zig zags, turns and bends until we reach a t-junction of paths where we turned left and up and along the neighbouring Danemead Wood on our right. Entering Danemead Nature Reserve we continued along the main pathway crossing a ford and continued along this track before turning left at the end and up and around to our right until we reached a gate and sign for Hoddesdon Park Wood by Lord Street.

Here we turned left past the East Herts Equestrian Centre and past the pub at Goose Green and a small car park before we found the next NNR and public footpath on our left and through a kissing gate and across meadows at Highfield Farm. We continued to follow the grassy track that kept the forest on our left hand side until we reached a small road past some large farm buildings where we then turned left at the fork to cross more meadows. Following the obvious pathway we then reached Bourne Orchard on our left before entering the Celtic Harmony Camp which is…. basically, just a field. After we found a myriad of signposts we turned left to cross meadowland until we reached the outskirts of Cowheath Wood and continued to follow the Broxbourne Woods NNR signs.

Celtic Harmony Camp Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Hertfordshire

Celtic Harmony Camp Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Hertfordshire

We then entered the dense pine and woodland forest  and crossed over another pathway to continue straight down until we found a fork in our path where we turned right until we then reached a footbridge and rejoin the original pathway from earlier back to the car park. Heading uphill through the meadow and kissing gate we crossed the road and entered Elysium House through meadows to turn right at White Stubbs Lane at the very welcome sign for The Woodman country pub and then right again back to the car park opposite Two Model Cottages.

We then drove the 2 minute journey to The Woodman which is a great pub serving local ale and sat in the garden reflecting on our 6 mile, 2 hour walk!

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers

Outdoor Clothing for UK Walking – Waterproof Jackets

Outdoor Clothing for UK Walking – Waterproof Jackets

For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

There are so many variations of outdoor clothing and waterproof jackets by The North Face and other leading brands that it is almost impossible to pin point one particular jacket that is best for UK walking. I will instead highlight the key components of a high quality windproof jacket and high performance waterproof jacket that should be the absolute staple of your walking wardrobe. It should also be lightweight and compact down enough to fit in to your rucksack so it is always at hand should there be a change in the weather.

Outdoor Clothing For UK Walking - The North Face Classic Waterproof Jacket

Outdoor Clothing For UK Walking - The North Face Classic Waterproof Jacket

Checklist of features…. always read the label!

–          Gore-Tex 2 Layer performance shell

–          Totally waterproof, breathable and seam sealed

–          Hem cinchcords and Velcro adjustable cuffs for a secure fit

–          Internal and hand pockets for maps and essentials storage

–          Chinguard to protect your face and a fully adjustable hood, packable within the collar

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Upshire Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Epping Forest Upshire Walking Route

This walking route starts at High Beach in the heart of Epping Forest and walks The Forest Way through to Upshire, Copped Hall and Copped Hall Gardens and then back to High Beach. This is a lovely walk where there is always the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Fallow Deer and Muntjac Deer which makes the walking even more enjoyable.

Fallow Deer Epping Forest Walking Routes

Fallow Deer Epping Forest Walking Routes

Strapping our little man safely in to the child carrier and lacing up our walking boots we were ready for the next 7 miles and just over 2 hours of forest walking.The child carrier has been such a blessing and you can watch our short video from today here: Littlelife child carrier.

Starting out at Pillow Mound in High Beach opposite the Epping Forest Centres and the Kings Head pub we headed past the tea hut to find The Forest Way path on our left by the small car park. Continuing on this pathway we crossed 2 roads enetring Woodredon Farm and past Woodredeon House on our left.

The Forest Way then crosses over the M25 motorway which always surprises me how such an ugly noisy (but essential!) road can split the beautiful Epping Forest.

With Oxleys Wood on our left we then pass a small area of housing before entering the road at Upshire where we turned right along the road which then bends round to the right with the Upshire Village sign on our left. Continuing down the road for a short while we then turned left in to the woodland in to Burgess Farm up to Copped Hall Green on our right.

Upshire Village Sign Epping Forest Walking Route

Upshire Village Sign Epping Forest Walking Route

The track then bends round to the right at Lodge Farm stables and then continues in to Copped Hall Gardens and then we continued straight until we reached a junction at The White House where we turned right almost walking back on ourselves and then we turned left shortly after through Copped Hall with The Slevage on our right. At the M25 crossing we turned right along the track to the tunnel and crossed the M25 and out the otherside to the path that then started to bend round to our left.

We then reached the entrance to Warren Lodge and Warren Wood where we turned right to follow the road down past a crossing and straight down to the Epping Road B1393 at Long Running. Here we turned right to the roundabaout where we then turned right to the fork in the road where we turned left and down through Sunshine Plain to a T-juntion where we turned left to walk around the bend in the road and back to High Beach.

The wildlife was in abundance today and we saw Fallow Deer, English Longhorn cattle, grouse, partridge, Lots and lots of rabbits and squirrels, ducks, ducklings and even a turtle!

Here are some photos from the walk: Epping Forest Upshire Walks

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers

Walks And Walking – Deacon Hill Hertfordshire Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Deacon Hill Hertfordshire Walking Route

The chalk downs in Hertfordshire offers excellent walking. This circular walking route includes a steep climb up to Deacon Hill for a wonderful 360 view of the chalk downs and then tracks around beautiful green lanes and field paths.

Here are some photos from the walk: Deacon Hill Photographs

Climbing Deacon Hill Hertfordshire Icknield Way Chalk Downs

Climbing Deacon Hill Hertfordshire Icknield Way Chalk Downs

We parked in the village of Pirton and popped Tedi in his child carrier before heading to St Marys Churchyard turning left in to Crabtree Lane followed by the Great Green by the Motte and Bailey pub where we crossed Hitchin Road on to Icknield Way. We climbed steadily between fields to pass Tingley Wood and then forked left to join the road where we turned right before turning left at a lay-by on to green lane still on Ickfield Way. At the gate we turned right to detour up to Deacon Hill and enjoyed the views and had a good look round, mainly to catch our breath and take some photos and a short video of the 360 degree views.

360 Degree View From Deacon Hill Chalk Downs Hertfordshire Icknield Way

Walking back down to rejoin the path which continues down to Telegraph Hill where we took a very sharp left opposite the Telegraph Hill notice board by the waymarker on to a wide gravel path leading to open fields taking the second track on our left we headed in to woodland by the waymaker. This lead us out by Little Offley and through two buildings on to a track straight ahead and now heading towards Welbury House. We then turned left at the house and past the entrance to New Welbury Farm and Park View Stables going right at the waymaker which took us in to a copse.

We then crossed the stables yard to folow the path uphill to a kissing gate and then walked across the meadow to the road and continued straight before turning left at the belt of trees and then right at the Chiltern Way extension. We then crossed the field turning right after a gate in to pasture land with the sight of High Down House ahead. Following the natural path through another gate we turned left by the hedge and then right along another one back on to Hitchin Road.

All that was left was to cross Walnut Tree Road and turn left through the kissing gate in to more pasture land to walk diagonally right to the church and castle at Pirton some two and a half hours and nearly 7 miles later.

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers

 

Walks And Walking: Criccieth Castle Walking Route

Walks And Walking: Criccieth Castle Walking Route

If you are looking for a good area for walking routes then walking in Wales is great for all types of walks. In the Spring of 2010 I walked around the Criccieth Castle walking route which included Cardigan Bay, Afon Dwyfor and Llanystumdwy.

For more photos of this walk and the surrounding areas please click here: Walking In Wales

Criccieth Castle, Cardigan Bay, Afon Dwyfor, Wales

Criccieth Castle, Cardigan Bay, Afon Dwyfor, Wales

Starting off my walk at the Criccieth Castle car park I headed straight down to the sea which is now on my left hand side. Walking for a short while the road turns inwards and around Cefn Castell in the middle of Cardigan Bay where I then turned left to rejoin the path by the sea.

The path then descended to the beach at Ynysgain, an area of the National Trust, where I then turned inland by Afon Dwyfor and maintained my route through a gate and stile to another gate and then I turned right at the gate and stile walking up to reach the railway line passing through several gates and stiles to Aberkin with Afon Dwfor on my left as I reached the village of Lllanystumdwy.

At the church on the bend of the river I continued straight on passed the Lloyd George Museum on my right to a long farm lane with plenty of sheep to keep me company. Halfway along the lane was a wonderful viewpoint where I took a photo of the castle and at the end of the lane I turned right to head downwards along the road back to the sea front.

I then turned left back to the castle car park after a lovely spring stroll covering about 5 miles and taking just over 2 hours.

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers in my online walking shop

Walks And Walking – Summer Walks In Suffolk – Walking Routes

Walks And Walking – Summer Walks In Suffolk – Walking Routes

If you are looking for a good area for walking routes then walking in Suffolk is great for all types of walks. I recently walked around the South Suffolk walking route including Southwold, Walberswick, Dunwich and Aldeburgh.

Walking The Shingle Beach At Dunwich To Walberswick April 2011

Walking The Shingle Beach At Dunwich To Walberswick April 2011

Southwold

The history of Southwold dates back to the Doomsday Book as a fishing port and receiving its own town charter from King Henry VII in 1489. Over the centuries a shingle bar engulfed the harbour mouth swept in from the North Sea which prevented the town from becoming a major port.

A fire devastated a large portion of the town in 1659 severely damaging the 12th Century St Edmunds Church whereby, even today, these spaces have never been built on and give Southwold its unique charm. Gun Hill, the green directly above the sea wall to the far right of the pier, includes the 6 18-pounder cannons to commemorate the Battle of Sole Bay in 1672 with Southwold Museum housing a worthwhile collection.

Here is the walk I completed in Southwold: Summer Walks In Suffolk: Walberswick And Southwold

Walberswick

Walberswick is just the other side of Southwold Harbour and is where we stayed for this holiday. The ruins at the top of the village, the 15th Century St Andrews Church depict how big the area used to be but, in the main, the area is now a very good and well maintained heath and marshland. It offers a wide and varied habitat for wildlife and birds. In 1953 the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated with its ornate metalwork village sign by the green and since then the area has attracted many famous celebrities.

However, the village is actually more famous for the annual crabbing competition held every August; The British Open Crabbing Championship.

Here is the walk I completed in Walberswick: Summer Walks In Suffolk: Walberswick

Dunwich

Over 1,500 years ago Dunwich was the capital of East Anglia but the harbour and virtually all of the town has been engulfed and reclaimed by the sea due to coastal erosion. In 1286 a sea surge hit the East Anglian Coastline, again in 1328 and 1347, resulting in 400 homes, 8 churches, 5 houses of religious orders, 3 chapels and 2 hospitals destroying its main export industry of wool and grain and ceasing the import of fish, furs and timber from the Icelandic and Baltic region.

Dunwich actually dates back as far as the 7th Century when St Felix of Burgundy founded the See of East Anglia, referenced again in the Doomsday Book in 1806 and although Dunwich is no more than a village it is still referred to as a town. A popular legend in the area is that at certain tides you can hear the sound of church bells ringing from below the sea waves.

Here is the walk I completed in Dunwich: Summer Walks In Suffolk: Dunwich

Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh is a delightful seaside town located on the River Alde and has been made famous by one man, Benjamin Britten, who founded the Aldeburgh Festival of Arts in 1948.

In medieval times Aldeburgh was a busy fishing port housing the shipbuilding industries of the time. As the harbour silted up and the shingle bars evaded the coastline the area went in to decline but has now been reinvented as a weekend seaside town serving excellent fish and chips, quaint fishing huts and all very child friendly. The surrounding marshes make for interesting walking and the nature reserve offers good sightings of birds and wildlife.

Here is the walk I completed in Aldeburgh: Summer Walks In Suffolk: Aldeburgh

 

Craghoppers Superlite Shock Absorber Walking Poles

Craghoppers Superlite Shock Absorber Walking Poles

I use Craghoppers Superlite Shock Absorber Walking Poles for the majority of walking routes as I find they are perfect for all types of walks. Each walking pole is made of aircraft grade aluminium and extends to 60cm to 125cm so perfect all all heights and are extremely lightweight at only 265g.

For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

Walking with my Craghoppers Walking Poles Walberswick Suffolk April 2011

Walking with my Craghoppers Walking Poles Walberswick Suffolk April 2011

Each shock absorbing pole has a composite cork and ligh foam grip handle with an adjustable padded strap and a narrow profile 3 section design which easily twists in to a lockable position.I mainly use these poles for when the ground is a little unstable for better balance over rockier terrains, steep declining tracks or walking across shingle banks or loose stone underfoot.

They have also been very handy for an improved traction on wet hill walks as the bottom of the pole can be removed to reveal a spike. That way the pole doesn’t slip, it digs straight in to the soil and achieves good balance.Craghoppers have considerable technical know how and have designed an amazingly light yet superbly strong walking pole that takes the strain out of any trek.

The cork and foam grip handle means it doesn’t chafe my hands and the adjustable strap enables me to comfortably secure them when climbing over stiles and crossing fords. They are really well suited to outdoor and Nordic walking.

Craghoppers Superlite Shock Absorber Walking Poles

Craghoppers Superlite Shock Absorber Walking Poles

About Craghoppers:

Craghoppers started to make outdoor clothes specifically designed for the harsh outdoor elements back in 1965. A group of adventurers in West Yorkshire were planning to climb Everest and wanted top notch outdoor clothing to withstand the harshest of conditions, so they researched and designed fabrics that would protect them from the extreme cold. All their preparation paid off as they successfully reached the summit of Everest. This was the birth of Craghoppers.

Summer Walks in Suffolk – Dunwich circular walking route

Summer Walks In Suffolk

Dunwich Circular Walking Route

Another glorious but windy day in Suffolk where my walk started from outside our front door in Walberswick. I packed up my rucksack with plenty of water as I find the bracing sea air makes you quite thirsty and the first 45 minutes of the walk was going to be across the shingle to the tea rooms at Dunwich by the spacious car park.

Walking Poles are an absolute essential on the shingle as they give you greater stability and help you maintain a steady pace. They also take your mind off the fact you have a very long and straight blustery coastal beach walk ahead. It still didn’t deter me from wearing my walking shorts and a sturdy pair of walking boots for the 8 miles ahead of me on this circular walk around the beaches, marshes and heaths.

Sandlings Walk Bridleway Signpost Dunwich Suffolk May 2011

Sandlings Walk Bridleway Signpost Dunwich Suffolk May 2011

For more photographs of this walk click here: Summer Walks in Suffolk – Dunwich circular walking route.

The irony of this walk is that Dunwich was made famous by once being the largest medieval town in England but now it has all been lost to the sea. The cliffs have suffered from extremely bad erosion from the North Sea and it’s winds.

At the Anchor pub in Walberswick there is a footpath sign that I followed until I reach the beach where I turned right and braved the shingle for 45 minutes until I reached the car park at Dunwich. Walking up to the road I turned left and just after the fork I turned left on to a footpath that climbs around to the Dunwich Greyfriars 13th Century Friary ruins following the field edge until turning left at the end and then bearing left following the cliff edge and the roar of the seas below. I then skirted around Greyfriars Wood and walked underneath a quaint footbridge to a pathway between houses that then lead to the road and a sign shortly after in the trees for Dairy House.

Here I turned left and walked along the obvious pathway and signposts through the main part of Greyfriars Wood until I reached the road where I turned left and walked past 2 caravan sites on my left. At the end of this road I entered the Dunwich National Trust area where I turned left before enetering the track to the car park. This followed the edge of the cliffs to the National Trust’s Coastguard Cottages and kept left around them to the small garden and view of the Sizewell Nuclear Power Station.

Turning right to find the Heath Barn Field Centre I followed the signpost for a short while before turning right up a sandy path that climbs up gradually through Dunwich Heath. Keeping on Sandlings Walk I followed the obvious pathway in a northerly direction until I reached a crossing of paths at Mount Pleasant where I continued in a northerly direction crossing a road until I reached Sandy Lane Farm where I turned right to walk down a wide shaded path. This lead me to the main Dunwich road with St James’s Church on my right.

I then turned left for a short while before turning right at the Bridge Nurseries and Cafe which then set me on course for the final stage of the walk which was to follow the pthways with least resistance across the edge of Dunwich Forest and then Dunwich Marshes with the sea on my right hand side at all times and heading in a northerly direction.

The pathways then start to slowly bend right towards the beach and after passing the caravan park on my left I found the pathway where I first started the walk and ended up back on the road by the Anchor pub some 3 hours later. Time for lunch!

Summer Walks In Suffolk – Aldeburgh Walking Route

Suffolk Walking Routes

A Circular Walking Route In Aldeburgh…

It was really windy today and quite chilly despite the gloriously sunny day. Tedi was in his child carrier so I thought I would soon warm up. Wearing walking shorts was an error of judgement and I only had a thin wind proof jacket on so the beginning of the walk was a little cold to start with. Underfoot was quite bumpy across the marshes and my North Face Boots were put to good use.

Aldeburgh Marshes and The River Alde May 2011
Aldeburgh Marshes and The River Alde May 2011

Driving in to Aldeburgh from Walberswick we headed straight down through the village to the very end of the road before it becomes gravel to the car park, early in the morning to avoid the crowds. There is plenty of free parking but we decided to pay and display and get a safe spot for the car. It gets very busy in Aldeburgh and people are likely to park so close you’ll need a can opener to get back in to your car!

Aldeburgh Marshes in the wind May 2011
Aldeburgh Marshes in the wind May 2011
Aldeburgh Marshes May 2011
Aldeburgh Marshes May 2011

Walking left out of the car park we walked up the gravel road until we reached the first footpath signpost, just before Slaughden Quay,  taking us right in to Aldeburgh Marshes. We then followed the raised banks alongside the River Alde heading leftbefore bending right about 2 miles later. We pass through a few gates until we reached steps going down to our right that we climbed down to reach the open fields.

Following the obvious track gently bending round to our left we entered the farm land at Hall Farm Shop before walking through the garden centre at the front and on to Saxmundham Road, A1094. Crossing over we turned right to the roundabout taking the second turning down Church Farm Lane to reach the footpath on our left. We continued down the footpath until we found an entrance to the caravan park on our right.

We continued straight up to the permissive path and continued walking up this lane until we reached a sign for the North Warren Nature Reserve on our right.Walking across the reserve we could see the coastline in front of us. There were plenty of walkers and twitchers in Aldeburgh by this time so plenty of “Hellos” and “Good Mornings” were exchanged. Reaching the tarmac path we turned left by the shingle beach where we saw the Scallop Sculpture Memorial which was erected in 2003 to celebrate the life of Aldeburgh resident English composer Benjamin Britten.

Timber Framed Moot Hall May 2011
Timber Framed Moot Hall May 2011

Passing the timber framed Moot Hall, the lifeboat station and then back to the car park our walk was complete at just under 6 miles and 2 hours. The rest of our day was spent enjoying Adnams beer and a hearty crab sandwich at the Cross Keys pub.

 

Summer Walks In Suffolk – Walberswick And Southwold

Summer Walks In Suffolk

Walberswick to Southwold Circular Walking Route

Starting off our journey from Walberswick Green we made our way to the Walberswick side of Southwold Harbour which is a short walk from the Bell Inn. A fine establishment that we would be returning to on our way back! This was more of a relaxing stroll rather than a good walk so it was flip flops, walking shorts and a windproof jacket.

It was one of those days that was really hot when the wind wasn’t blasting in your face!! When we reached the harbour we turned left along the banks of the water to find a bridge further along. Here we crossed the bridge and continued straight on until we reached a signpost taking us over the common to Southwold.

For the rest of the day’s photographs please click here: Walberswick and Southwold Photos

The signpost to Walberswick from Southwold Aprill 2011

The signpost to Walberswick from Southwold

The common is actually a golf course and once through we had a very clear view of the water tower. We reached the road where all the cars park up for the day and turned left heading towards the church and then turned right until we reached Southwold Square where we had a meander around the shops before reaching the beach. We turned left at the Sailors Reading Rooms and then past a great view of the lighthouse on our left towards the pier.

Southwold Pier April 2011

Southwold Pier April 2011

A quick shufty up and down the pier and we made our way back to the sea wall and walked all the way along passed the canons and lawns until the concrete turned to sand, where we turned right to get back down to the road. We then continued to walk along the road until we reached Southwold Harbour where we had a very short wait to get on board the ferry to take us back to Walberswick and the Bell Inn some 3 hours later and about 4 or so miles, it was a lovely day, very windy, and a very relaxing walk.

Southwold Harbour Ferry April 2011

Southwold Harbour Ferry