This simple walk is ideal for winter conditions because it uses mostly remote country lanes and hard surfaces, from Copford Green to the village of Easthorpe and back.Words and pictures by Laurie Page of The Public Rights of Way Team at Essex County Council
1. From the pub, proceed to the road junction where there is a triangular green. Turn left into Church Road where there is a pavement for the first part of the lane, but very little traffic uses this road. At the T-junction at the end, go through the little white gate opposite which is a path leading to the church of St Michaels and All Angels and open to the public. Leave the church via the path from the main entrance. Go through the little church car park and go left at the track and bear left again at the next road junction. Proceed down the narrow lane (Aldercar Road) with large oak trees either side to the end at the T-junction.
2. Turn right and at the next road junction shortly after, take the road to the right to Copford and Marks Tey, but watch out for traffic. The road bends right then left and at Claypit Cottage, take the turning left to Easthorpe and Messing. Continue for about half a mile to the end of the road. Turn left at the road junction and follow the road round to the right into Easthorpe, passing some pretty cottages. There is not much traffic but you need to take care because there is no verge in places. Continue on towards the village. Just before the road junction by the church of St Mary the Virgin, look out for a bridleway on the right.
3. Take this bridleway, which is a concrete surface, for some distance. It bends one way and then the other before reaching Little Britchards Farm. As you approach the farm, the bridleway deviates left just before the garage and runs alongside the hedge to your right. The path then swings right around the back of the property and then veers left away from it shortly after. At the end of the field it swings right again. Follow the track along the field boundary for about a third-of-a-mile, staying on the main track. The bridleway then bends right between hedges and then runs between the residences. Here you bear left, taking you to the road.
Turn left into Rectory Road. Continue for over a third-of-a-mile until you reach the triangular green where you started. Go left to take you back to the pub and your parking place.
