Footpath Walks Around Coggeshall
Free footpath leaflets showing these walks and all the other footpaths in the parish are available at the Council Office and at the Tourist Point within the museum. The leaflets are provided jointly by the Parish Council and the Parish Paths Partnership of Essex County Council. Look out for the details of the organised walks. Notices are on the official noticeboards and at other locations around Coggeshall.
Blue Walk is a country walk but with the town always in sight. Most of the walk is
on the Essex way. The posts are colour-coded. This walk begins from the car park.
Leave by Church Street and then take the narrow way-marked passage opposite Vane
Lane and cross the Recreation Ground. Turn left and then a little way along turn
right onto the Essex Way. Stop and admire the abbot’s lodgings and the guest house
as you pass through the grounds of the 12th century Cistercian abbey. You will
pass the massive Grange Barn, one of the oldest in Europe, which was built by the
monks of Coggeshall abbey. Later you will cross the footbridge made in 1896 by
local blacksmith and public rights of way campaigner Dick Nunn. Stop to enjoy the
public gardens, one dedicated to the Doubleday family and the other created to
celebrate the new millennium.
This walk is approximately 3 miles. Allow 1 1/2 hours.
Red Walk The posts for this walk are colour-coded. Leave the car park via
Stoneham Street and Tilkey Road until the first marker post at the meadow.
At any time of year this is a picturesque walk across fields and through
woodland but it is particularly recommended in May during the bluebell
season. Practically the only house you will see after leaving the town
is the Cradle House. Here you will actually walk on the outskirts of
its garden. Refreshments are available at Marks Hall visitors centre
(weekends only in the Winter months).
This walk is approximately 4 miles. Allow 11/2 to 2 hours.