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Saffron Trail Stage 3 – Great Dunmow to Great Waltham

Type: Walk

Duration: 8h - 1d

Facilities

Routes

Length of route (miles) - 10

About

The third stretch of the Saffron Trail is 10 miles long. It starts from Great Dunmow and finishes at Great Waltham. This part of the trail is shaped by the geography of the Chelmer and Ter, and the wildlife that thrives in wet river valleys.

The Saffron Trail stretches 70 miles in total from Saffron Walden to Southend, passing through five county districts: Uttlesford, Chelmsford, Rochford, Castle Point and Southend.

This part of the trail leaves from the River Chelmer, Great Dunmow, before winding down to the Uttlesford arm of the Flitch Way. The best time to walk the Flitch is in late August and September when wild plums, greengage and cherries are ripe – albeit the birds take the cherries quick. There’s a magical atmosphere about Langley’s Deer Park. Woodland and watery dells pepper shallow grass, hills, and grazing stock. It feels like the outline of a manicured park that has been seduced by a wilder nature.

Highlights of this stretch include the fishponds and water channels around Leez Priory. Merlins and kestrels can be seen hunting for vowels and small birds. Keep a lookout for the wild cherry trees.

Please see below some of the highlights between Great Dunmow and Great Waltham.

Content provided by Stephen Neale

Facilities

Accessibility

Disabled toilets - Dunmow Library; White Hart Way, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1FS

Catering

On-site catering - There is 24hr catering in Great Dunmow and limited catering along others part of the trail
On-site light refreshments - There is 24hr catering in Great Dunmow and limited catering along others part of the trail
Picnic site - All along the trail

Parking

Free Parking - Limited off-street parking around Great Dunmow and other villages and towns along the trail.
Parking with charge - Public car parks in Great Dunmow. Chequers Lane Car Park, Chequers Ln, Great Dunmow, CM6 1EQ

Property Facilities

Public toilets - White Street Car Park, Great Dunmow, Essex

Routes

Accessibility of route - Urban parts of trail around the towns and villages of Great Dunmow are suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs. Other parts of the trail are not suitable. The terrain is generally flat but can get very muddy in winter. There are some steps and stiles.
Countryside - Yes but some urban
Length of route (miles) - 10
Linear Route
Long Distance Path
Typical duration of route - 1 day (8 hours)

Suitability

Dog Owners - Suitable for dogs but must be kept on leads most of the time
Families

Map & Directions

Map Link

Click here to view map

START/END– Great Dunmow, River Chelmer
Flitch Way – pick wild plums along the Way. Occasional wooden benches provide restful views over the Ter River valley
Chelmer Footbridge – tramp into Felsted following the Holy Cross church spire on the skyline
River Ter Fish Ponds – nibble on nettle tops along the river valley into Leez Priory. Monks once cultivated for fish suppers in these ponds.
Lodge Lake – inhale the scent of pollen and power while walking the avenue of lime trees from the Leez Priory lakes. Worthy of the minor detour through grounds once owned and graced by the notorious Richard Rich – one of the most powerful and controversial men of his day.
Langley’s Deer Park – Look for deer. Best in late afternoon. Feel the history of this important crossing place at the point where two trails cross: the Saffron Trail and the Essex Way.
St Mary and St Lawrence Church – touch the tomb known as the Everard Monument. Built in 1611 by Sir Anthony Everard for his wife Anne, he died in 1614. Their sideways lying effigies are spookily real. The histories of the church and the Everards are available onsite.
START/END:– St Mary and St Lawrence Great Waltham Church Great Waltham, Chelmsford Rd, Chelmsford, CM3 1AR