Manningtree circular, Sat 7 June

Trains: Depart London Liverpool Street @ 09.30 – arrive Manningtree @ 10,25 [fast train to Norwich but will stop at Stratford, 09.37]. Please buy a return ticket to Manningtree. [NB: there’ll be some TFL tube line closures this weekend, so please check your route to the station on tfl.gov.uk]. Return trains times from Manningtree are 20 and 51 mins past the hour. Drop out: There are no buses on Saturdays from or to Manningtree station, but there is one bus (81/81A) departing at 13.19 or 14.35 from Dedham to Colchester Railway station, with a short walk from the bus stop to the station.

The Walk – approx. 9 miles

Morning: generally easy terrain but soon after arrival a short uphill to Lawford Church, then across fields and along the upper level of Dedham Vale with one short steep downhill and a couple of stiles. NB: We’ll have to cross the railway track – extra attention and care needed.

Afternoon: Mainly on the flat, except for an elongated uphill before getting to East Bergholt where we’ll look at the church and the bell cage before making our way to Flatford Mill where we’ll stop for refreshments (tea/cakes/ice cream etc) before making our way back to Manningtree station. The walk from Flatford to Manningtree station is approx. 40-45 minutes at a steady pace.

NB: Alas, the weather forecast indicates some rain, so come prepared for wet conditions.

Lunch in Dedham: NB: I won’t be making any reservations as there are two pubs and two nice tearooms within a couple of minutes from each other, so people can choose where they want to hang out over lunch. Dedham is a lovely county town and the church is worth looking inside. For picnickers there are benches along the playing field behind the church and also within the church yard.

The Marlborough – https://www.themarlboroughdedham.co.uk/our-menus/

The Sun Inn – https://www.thesuninndedham.com/menus/mainmenu/

The Essex Rose tearoom – serves light lunches/cakes

Arts & Craft Centre tearoom – serves light lunches/cakes [you can also find a great selection of gifts and hand-crafted items over three floors]

Please be prepared for a long day as I do not wish to have to rush this walk. If we just miss a return train, you can pick up more refreshments at Manningtree station.

Happy walking, Sigrid