Wivman one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Wivman here.

5*? I know I’m sorry, I can’t help reflecting that any walk in our wonderful countryside is truly fulfilling provided you are walking in the moment. It may not be a spectacular Cumbrian fell but standing still in a ‘bleak’ Essex field with a riven grey sky, to close your eyes and listen to the beautiful song of half a dozen skylark is definitely fulfilling.

Route: I walked this route in March (20/03/23 Monday). I added the section from Colchester North Station (mainline) so including the excellent Wivenhoe Trail to start with. This makes the route a mainline station to mainline station should anyone want the convenience from further afield though as WivmanOne (route originator) has shown the original route is well supported with public transport. I concur with the comment about the flooded quarry path (photo below) and the suggested solution works well on a weekday too, there being no traffic during my visit. I changed the route only once more at the busy Colchester to Elmstead road. Rather than follow the wide verge, with caution cross the main road into Tye Road (use pavement on left for 100m away from main road). Continue past Tye Green new housing development on your right until road forks left and take ‘old road’ with public footpath sign straight on. The footpath circumnavigates an old orchard on right and eventually joins with Wivmanone’s route at Church Road. The remaining route was followed as described and thoroughly enjoyable. As with many Essex walks the contrast of setting is what stands out. Dropping into the tight, ‘hilly’ (all things relative) tree lined Essex Way section is a far cry from the vastness of pan flat forty acre rapeseed fields. Look carefully for Buzzards, Kite, Kestrel, Oystercatcher and unusually Water Rail.

Comfort: Walking to Wivenhoe there is a public toilet by the playing fields and station (8km approx). Walk into Elmstead Market, there must be a pub with a loo surely? (14km approx). Last stop Manningtree (28km approx). Thoroughly recommend the friendliest pint in the Crown (South Street).

Walked from Wivenhoe to Manningtree.
Impressions- Crucially found the route was easy to follow and went by a sensible route. Big open bleak Essex fields for much of the way. Last stretch between Lawford and Manningtree was nice. Not many stopping points. Historic church at Little Bromley hall was a nice place to rest. A couple of issues with accessing parts of the route at the moment (26/09/2021), but relatively easy to work around (see below).

Access issues-
footpath across Wivenhoe quarry to Keelars lane was completely flooded by the quarry lake. Easy to follow the quarry road out though without significant deviation and that cut out a portion of Keelars lane as well. Did this on a weekend so not sure if there is significant quarry traffic in the week.
The following section of the B1027 is a fast moving road which needs to be crossed. There is a substantial although very choppy grass verge to walk on.
Footpath from Bromley Cross (Hall Road to Carringtons Road) was completely overgrown and inaccessible. Had to jump ditch and fence and follow the field edge alongside the path.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.