Epping to Ingatestone via Chipping Ongar walk

This walk leads through the mildly undulating area to the east of the northerly end of Epping Forest, initially through the Roding River catchment area, later that of the River Wid. It is an area dotted with ancient woods, historic villages, old churches, plentiful pubs and inns and large manor houses, reflecting the wealth generated by the richness of the soil and the existence of important trading routes leading through it.
The outstanding historic features and buildings are Chipping Ongar’s Motte-and-Double-Bailey, Greensted’s oldest wooden church in the world and Blackmore’s former priory church with its rare wooden bell tower.
The first half of the walk follows the Essex Way and shadows the now closed stretch of the Central Line from Epping to Ongar. This continues the route of two other SWC Walks along the line (SWC 241 and 197).
The second half of the walk broadly follows the St. Peter’s Way to near Ingatestone.
The route passes through many woods and with the subsoil being London Clay, some mud can be expected after rain. There are also a handful of arable field crossings, all along usually well-cleared paths though.

Hourly buses to/from Chipping Ongar and Blackmore enable half-length walks or early finishes.
Plenty of pubs and cafés en route enable flexible start times.

Combine the first half of this walk with #SWC.197 Loughton to Epping, for a 26.9 km/16.7 mi walk. Lunch would be in Coopersale at the Theydon Oak or earlier in Epping via a diversion along the High Street.
Finish immediately upon reaching Chipping Ongar, without a loop through the village and past the impressive Motte & Baileys site, and take the bus back to Epping or on to Brentwood (Crossrail), from the Banson’s Lane or Rail Station stops respectively (12.3 km/7.6 mi with 109m ascent; 1/10 rating).
Finish in Chipping Ongar Village or at Ongar Rail Station and take the bus back to Epping or on to Brentwood (Crossrail), from the Banson’s Lane or Rail Station stops respectively. This cuts 13.5 km and 90m ascent (1/10 rating). Both these short routes loop past all the lunch/tea stops in Chipping Ongar and past the impressive Motte & Baileys site, but in different directions.
Start the walk in Chipping Ongar, using bus lines 420 from Epping or 21 from Brentwood to get there.
Bus Lines 61/61A/61C connect Blackmore (19.6 km/12.3 mi into the walk) to Brentwood Station (Crossrail): hourly Mon-Sat.

Epping Underground Station is the north eastern terminus of the Central Line and in Zone 6, with a journey time of 35 minutes from Liverpool Street.
Ongar bus stations are served by several lines, with the 420 (Ongar – Epping – Harlow) linking back to Epping (at least hourly on weekdays, hourly on Saturdays, two-hourly on Sundays; journey time 23 minutes) and the 21 on to Brentwood (Crossrail, hourly Mon-Sat; journey time 25 minutes).
Ingatestone is on the Great Eastern Main Line from Liverpool Street to Norwich (half-hourly service, hourly on Sundays); journey time 29 minutes.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Start the walk no later than 10.00 hours.

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Jan-23 PeterB Thomas G