Take a stroll from the village of Little Totham to the nearby village of Tolleshunt Major, starting and finishing with the chance for a welcome, warming drink in a countryside pub | Words and photos: Laurie Page Public Rights of Way Team at Essex County Council
The Walk
1) From The Swan pub, cross the road and take the unmade road opposite (Green Lane). At the end of the lane, by Vine Farm, go straight on into a meadow. In the corner by the path junction, cross the footbridge and turn right.
Follow the path, which swings left in the field corner, around the field edge to the lane. Turn right along the lane. At the first bend, after ‘Blue Meadows’ take the footpath on the left. Follow along the field edge with a fence on the left. Just after the corner, where it bends right, go left through a gap in the hedge and over a footbridge. Continue into a little meadow and then a wide grass strip to the road.
2) Turn right along the lane. At the road junction go straight ahead onto a footpath. Proceed past houses into a field. You are then diverted left through a gap in the hedge into the next field. At the large oak go diagonally across the crop field.
At the end, cross another footbridge. The church comes into view. At the end of this field at the footpath junction, turn right along the edge of a large field with a hedge to the left. When you reach the gravel path go straight on. The path bends right, then left. Just after the telegraph wires, look out for a way-marker post at a path junction where you turn right across the crop field.
3) At the other side of the field, look to the left for a way-marker and a footbridge taking you into a large field. A little way along, look out for a gap in the hedge on the right where you cross a footbridge. At the end of this field cross a bridge and bear left into the next field with a hedge to the right.
Continue to the road. Take the footpath opposite through a kissing gate into a meadow. Keep alongside the hedge to the left and go right to the end of the field. In the corner, the other side of the corrugated shed, go through a wooden gate. Continue along the edge of a crop field, still with a hedge to your left.
Soon after the hedge bends right, look out for a narrow gap in the hedge on the left and follow the way-markers past wooden outbuildings. Then go through a gate and over a footbridge where you turn left and retrace your steps back to The Swan pub.
Ordnance Survey maps are available from all good booksellers and outdoor stores or visit the online shop www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/al
Distance: 3.1 miles (5km)
Starting point: The Swan car park in School Road (Sat Nav CM9 8LB) if you will be using the pub, or on School Road in front of the pub if not.
How to get there: From the B1022 between Tiptree and Maldon, turn off at Great Totham and follow the direction to Little Totham. The Swan pub is in the village centre at the junction of School Road and Post Office Lane.
Map: OS Explorer 183 Chelmsford
Refreshments: The Swan pub at the start of the walk.
Tourist information Centre: Maldon Tourist Information Centre, Coach Lane, Maldon CM9 4UH. Call 01621 856503.
Places of interest nearby: Maldon to the north has the 15th century Moot Hall, once a residence and used subsequently as a prison, police station, court and council chambers. All Saints Church in the High Street has a very unusual triangular tower and the Maeldune Centre contains the Plume Library. At the vibrant quay area on the River Blackwater you’ll find a collection of magnificent old Thames Barges. Promenade Park also has a large children’s play area and by the main gates you will find the Maldon Museum, with displays relating to Maldon’s history.
