Route from Langford.
Distance - approximately 14 miles long route, 11 miles short walk.
Largely flat, no significant ascents or descents.
Maps - OS Landranger 168.
Starting point - Onag Farm, Langford TL 840084
Takes in about half of the Maldon Millenium Walk with minor diversions.
This walk can commencein Maldon but there are no watering holes outside Maldon convenient to the route except at Heybridge or Mill Beach
Take the road beside the Museum of Power on the B1019 just before its junction with the B1018 in Langford.
Follow the road through a field, beware the speed bumps - they are fierce.
Park near the bridge and lock, just past a sign "Onag Farm".
Walk back up the road to the B1019 and turn right to pass Millhouse Hotel.
Cross the road and enter the churchyard which you cross diagonally passing behind the Western Apse and exiting onto the B1018.
Turn left and walk along the grassy path on the left hand side passing Langford Hall Farm on your left.
Near the brow of the bridge cross the road and continue along the right side.
Turn right at the concrete track marked "Red Lodge".
Go round the gate and continue along the track, passing a fishing lake on your right.
Cross the stream between two lakes by a bridge into Langdon Park.
Continue just North of East ignoring the track to the right (South).
As the track turns North towards Langford Grove turn right at the junction and continue Eastwards.
As the track ends go down the driveway and exit onto a minor road.
Cross the road onto the track to Furzeland Farm.
Go down the left side of the barn, then pass behind the barn to the fence, which you follow across the field.
When the fence stops continue between the two fields and passhtrought he hedgerow with the oak on your right, continue with the lake on your right.
Pass under a power line and at the end of the lake strike across the field to the end of the fence on the far side.
At the track turn left towards Poplar Grove Farm.
Pass through the gate and continue down the drive towards Broad Green.and the B1022.
Cross the road and turn right (South) towards Maldon.
After Honey Cottage turn left down a track marked as a public footpath.
Initially the hedgerow is on your right, the the track winds left and right through a field until it passes through another hedgerow and you continue along the track with a hedge on your right. Eventually this track turns North towards Sains Hall.
At this point you can choos the long or the short route.
The long route is 10 miles from Langford to Heybridge Basin and 14 miles in toal.
The short route is 7 miles from Langford to Heybridge Basin and 11 miles in total.
Short route.
For the short route when the track turns North continue Eastwards with the hedge on your right, there is a way marker at this point.
Near the end of the field is a gap in the hedge with a bridge across a stream. Cross the field on the other side on a bearing of 140 degrees (Southeastish) towards some trees and a cottage (hidden) at the left end of the hedgerow opposite.
Turn left at the hedgerow with the cottage on your right.
There is a gap in the hedge by an iron gate. It is narrow and hidden, pass between the gate and the way marker and exit onto a minor road. This gap is actually ona bearing of 135 degrees from the bridge, but for an unknown reason the path does not strike directly to it.
At the minor road turn left (even though the picture is a view to the right).
After a short while turn right at a junction and continue South towards the B1026.
You will rejoin the long route at Chigborough Farm.
Long route.
For the long route continue North on the track past Sains Hall for about a mile.
At the junction with a minor road turn right.
Shortly after a 90 degree left hand bend and just before a tiny bridge turn right onto a farm track marked as a public footpath and continue a little South of East past Sheepcoates Farm.
Go through the barn (yes through) and the gate on the other side.
Pass to the right of the breeze-block barn and continue on the track pasing a pylon on your right.
Cross the minor road just slightly to the right of straight on and continue between two fields towards Little Totham Farm.
Where the track forks go right, cross the concrete bridge and keep the pond on your right.
Turn right at the barn and follow the track, keeping the barns on your left.
At the minor road turn right.
Just before the right hand bend cross the ditch on the left via a small bridge.
Continue with the hedgerow on your right.
Just before the dead tree, cross the ditch on a small bridge and turn left, keeping the hedgerow on your left.
At the minor road turn right towards Little London Farm.
Continue South towards Chappel Farm ignoring Blind Lane (no sign) and footpath on the left.
Shortly after Chappel Farm Gatehouse turn right. You will have a gravel pit with a high bank on your left and a hedge on your right.
At Rook Hall pass between the barns then turn left past the Hall. Follow the track to the right where you see the fishing lake.
At the minor road turn left (this is where the short route rejoins) passing Chigborough Lodge Restaurant on your right. You can walk through the fisheries on the right down to the B1026 or stay on the road for approximately half a mile.
At the B1026 turn left and cross the road.
At the Mill Beach PH cross the car park with the pub on your right. Go past the trellis work to the sea wall and turn right.
Follow the winding coastal path until you get to Heybridge Basin and the lock. There is a choice of pubs, a tea room and a gallery, all open all day.
Cross the lock and follow the path South and then Northwest into Maldon. Eventually the path meets a crossroads. To the left is a metal gate, to the right is a road. Go straight on.
The path comes to the road, go left then left again along the footpath.
At the B1022 turn left and go past the Heybridge Inn on your left and St Andrew's Church on your right.
At the roundabout go left (marked Maldon A12, A414), go straight on at the next roundabout and again at the next.
Cross the road at the Welcome PH and walk by the river with the pub on your right.
At the foot and cycle turn left, there will be post office vans on your right and a river on your left. The path passes behind Tecos car park where the path turns right.
Walk towards the bridge, just before the bridge crosses the canal duck under the fence and go down to the towpath where you turn left.
Pass under the A414 and continue along the towpath in a Northwesterly direction. You will pass a golf course on your left and eventually come to a lock.
At the lock cross the bridge and return to your vehicle.
Free to print for personal use, not for printing and distribution without prior permission of the author.
© 2005 Peter Martin pete@tomatin.cix.co.uk