You are here: Routes > Essex Way Stage 3 - Pleshey to Terling

Essex Way Stage 3 - Pleshey to Terling

Type: Walk

Grade: Easy to Moderate

Duration: 1d

Facilities

Routes

Length of route (miles) - 14

About

The third stretch of the Essex Way is 14 miles long and starts from Pleshey and finishes at Terling. This part of the trail is shaped almost entirely by the River Ter, and its river valley.

The Essex Way stretches 82 miles in total from Epping Station to Harwich Old Lighthouse. This section weaves east through the historic village of Great Waltham before turning north-east via Chatham Green, the popular Hyde Hall, and then Liberty Hall. At Little Leighs the path turns south-east along the Ter River into the village that gives the valley its name.

The highlights are the Witches Stone, the Windmill at Flack Green and spending some time around the ford at Terling. Keep an ear out for the ‘plop’ sound of water voles around the riverside. Please see below for some of the other highlights between Pleshey and Terling.

Content provided by Stephen Neale

Facilities

Catering

On-site catering - There is some catering in Pleshey, Great Waltham, Great Leighs, Terling, and limited catering along others part of the trail.
On-site light refreshments - There is some catering in Pleshey, Great Waltham, Great Leighs, Terling, and limited catering along others part of the trail.
Picnic site - All along the trail

Parking

Free Parking - Limited off-street parking around Pleshey, Great Waltham, Great Leighs, Terling, and other sections along the trail.

Routes

Accessibility of route - Urban parts of trail around the villages of Pleshey, Great Waltham, Great Leighs, Terling, 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) - 14
Long Distance Path
Typical duration of route - 1 day (8hrs)
Woodland - Some tree cover at intervals along the trail

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:– Pleshey, The St, Chelmsford CM3 1HG
Walthambury Brook – look for flint nodules and stones along the edges of the crop field and brook
St Mary and St Lawrence Great Waltham 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.
Langley Deer Park – tramp the crossroad trail where Essex’s two most important way marked trails – the Saffron Trail and Essex Way – meet.
Little Leighs Lake – look out for bats around the edge of the lake and trees – only at dawn and dusk.
St John’s Church, Little Leighs – find England’s only surviving wooden effigy of a priest. Made of oak, the life-sized, 13th century figure is above a tomb by the north wall. At the priest's feet are a lamb and a lion with mane. Contact the church beforehand to be sure of access.
The Witches Stone – touch the stone that may once have sealed the grave of an unfortunate woman, of Great Leighs, dubbed the ‘Witch of Scrapfaggots Green’. Folklore or fact, the story likely dates back to the 16th century and a woman, Elizabeth Brooke, who was condemned to death. The stone (pictured), real or not, is a 3-minute detour from the path on Main Road, Great Leighs.
River Ter Ford – watch sticklebacks dart around the shallows of the river. The River flows through the middle of Terling village
START/END:– Owl’s Hill, Terling, CM3 2PW