17.5 km 10.9 miles. Difficulty 4/10
A varied north Essex walk visiting historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the sorry remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:11), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05.
Return from Newport at xx:13. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Lunch: Bridge End Gardens (through which you enter Saffron Walden) would make a good picnic spot. The 8 Bells 01799 522790, adjacent to the gardens, is first in line. .There's also the Cross Keys Hotel (01799-522207) on the High Street and, on the way out of town, a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975). .There are several cafés in and around Market Place,
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk
Through rolling hills and river valleys to the historic market town of Saffron Walden and one of Britain's finest stately homes.
History
This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.
| Date | Option | Post | # | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 17-Mar-24 | Great Chesterford to Newport | 5 | heavier than drizzle but not quite rain | |
| Wed, 11-Oct-23 | b | Hare off to Essex this Wednesday: Audley End to Newport | 5 | |
| Sun, 25-Jun-23 | Great Chesterford to Newport | 3 | very warm | |
| Sun, 20-Mar-22 | Great Chesterford to Newport | 7 | sunny all day | |
| Sun, 17-Nov-19 | Great Chesterford to Audley End | 4 | ||
| Sat, 31-Aug-19 | Great Chesterford to Audley End - A Multi-pylon Essex extravaganza | 6 | lovely | |
| Wed, 06-Feb-19 | Rolling Essex Countryside and historic Saffron Walden: Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) | 17 | grey dry warm for the season | |
| Sun, 11-Mar-18 | Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) | 5 | ||
| Sat, 15-Apr-17 | – Saffron Walden and Audley End Park | 14 | dry with passing clouds | |
| Sun, 13-Mar-16 | 2: North Essex, a historic town and another stately pile. | 7 | sunny and mild perfect walking weather | |
| Sun, 09-Aug-15 | Sunday First Walk - Essex hills & valleys | |||
| Sun, 03-Nov-13 | Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk | 4 | ||
| Sun, 04-Nov-12 | a | Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk | ||
| Sat, 24-Mar-12 | Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk | |||
| Mon, 29-Aug-11 | Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk |
Sunday 17-Mar-24
Mr M Tiger
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Sun, 17-Mar-24
5 descended from the train in rain that was heavier than drizzle but not quite rain in the morning but turned into intermittent sun and dramatic skies in the late afternoon.
How wonderful not to be mudskating and so unexpected after the recent rain. In fact one brook had run dry. Luck ran out outside Newport rewarding the welly wearers and pole carriers.
5 lunched in the Cross Keys Hotel as the Eight Bells was fully booked and were most pleased with the food. A sightseeing trip round Saffron Walden followed with particular enjoyment of the Bridge End Gardens (did they really plant 11,000 yew seedlings in the 1980s?) and the Old Sun Inn (the pargetting is quite remarkable). 2 stayed on to walk the 1.5 km turf maze ending their day in Audley End. 3 obeyed the walk instructions and enjoyed a lovely afternoon walking the undulating hills as the shadows lengthened. A quick drink in the White Horse rounded off the day before catching the 1813.
Wednesday 11-Oct-23
Length: 9.5 miles (15.2 km); 3/10
This walk takes advantage of the Greater Anglia hare fares offer to visit Audley Park and Saffron Walden. The route starting from Audley End is suggested to take in more of Audley Park. This is shown as the Short Walk option on the page for the main walk starting at Great Chesterford. The posted train doesn't stop at Great Chesterford, so if you want to do the full 17.5 km walk you will need to get the 0928 or 1028 train.
Travel: 0958 from Liverpool Street, arriving at Audley End 1050. Get a return to Audley End. You need to go on the Greater Anglia website to get the £10 Hare Fare.
Lunch: several options in Saffron Walden, see the main walk page.
Tea: the White Horse (01799-540002) on Belmont Hill, Newport, a traditional village pub 10-15 minutes before the station.
Shortening the walk: buses from Saffron Walden to Bishops Stortford stop at Audley End.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=swc.130.b
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Wed, 11-Oct-23This comment has been removed by the author.
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Wed, 11-Oct-23
5
It seemed as though autumn had finally arrived, when five walkers alighted for the shorter walk, from Audley End to Newport. Rain was forecast for later in the day. Luckily, however, the sun did put in an appearance and we were able to enjoy a drink in the sunshine at lunchtime. We chose The King's Arms, as it had a nicer outside space.
The walk itself was enjoyable and undemanding, through rolling countryside and around the outskirts of Audley End estate. Saffron Walden is a fine town, with some interesting buildings. A 'Coffee and Music' event was just finishing at St Mary's Church as we arrived. I spotted a sculpture nearby, Children of Calais, https://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/2020/03/dorset-house-garden/
unveiled by Lord Dubs in 2019.
One of our group decided to go back from Audley End. This was a wise move, as it turned out...
Arriving into Newport at the end of the walk, we found that the intended tea stop did not open until 4. We were also too early for the half hourly train timetable.
However, heading towards a bakery/café, Dorrington, which was open till 4 pm, we spotted a bistro/café, Kappa House, which had opened three months earlier. This made a perfect afternoon tea stop, but it does shut at 3:30.
Refreshed, we headed, to our train, only to find that it and the train after were cancelled. It was then decided to catch a bus to Bishops Stortford, to pick up a train there. Luckily we realised that this would just be the same one we would be on, if we stayed in Newport. So we agreed to spend the 40 minutes waiting time in the White Horse, which was about to open.
This turned out to be a great plan, although our delay did mean that the rain found us.
A relaxing day, with a slightly stressful end!
Sunday 25-Jun-23
Mr M Tiger
17.5 km 10.9 miles Difficulty 4/10
A varied north Essex walk to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the sorry remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
Get the 9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:11), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05.( Tottenham Hale connects with the Victoria Line).
Return from Newport at xx:13. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Lunch: Plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. Bridge End Garden would make a nice picnic spot. Then, first up, the 8 Bells 01799 522790, the recommended stop (though it was deemed 'pricey' last time).
Later, the Saffron Suite & Kitchen (01799-588882). A hit last time. The food is said to be good but Mr Tiger was disappointed by the lack of cider or real ale.
There’s also the Cross Keys Hotel (01799-522207) and, further along, a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975), and there are several cafés in and around Market Place.
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse, about ten minutes before Newport station.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
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Sun, 25-Jun-23A bit late to be telling you but you may be able to knock a quid or two off the fare with this offer
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/harefares?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnMWkBhDLARIsAHBOftqqJr3pSqw6H2r3HywNQPqyQk-m4dqTn-OORQaZrVQpoGlSMOPLtL8aArPkEALw_wcB
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Mon, 26-Jun-23
Congratulations to the ticket office at Tottenham Hale for offering me - unprompted - the special fare from Liverpool Street to Cambridge - cheaper than the CDR to Great Chesterford even with Freedom Pass and Senior Rail Card.
Three of us alighted from the train at Great Chesterford and proceeded with the walk to Newport on a very warm day. We stopped for our picnic lunch in Saffron Walden and looked around the town and Bridge End Gardens. There were lots of interesting houses in the towns and villages. The walk was mainly in open countryside along the side of fields without much shade.
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Mon, 26-Jun-23
3 very warm
Sunday 20-Mar-22
Mr M Tiger
17.5 km 10.9 miles
Difficulty 4/10
A varied north Essex walk to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the sorry remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10:03, Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05.
Return from Newport at xx:13. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Difficulty 4/10
A varied north Essex walk to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the sorry remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10:03, Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05.
Return from Newport at xx:13. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Lunch: Plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. The 8 Bells 01799 522790, adjacent to Bridge End Garden, is recommended. (The gardens themselves would make a nice picnic spot). The walk route passes the Saffron Suite & Kitchen (01799-588882) and the Cross Keys Hotel (01799-522207) on the High Street.There are several cafés in and around Market Place, and, on the way out of town, a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975).
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
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Mon, 21-Mar-22
7 set off at a brisk pace (a bit too brisk for Mr Tiger, but, to give him credit, he kept up). Three more followed the same walk as far as Saffron Walden but they kept themselves separate.
It was sunny all day the scenery was pretty, and there was no mud.
In Saffron Walden, the 8 Bells was quickly dismissed as a lunch stop - too pricey. The group sped on to the Cross Keys but it was fully booked. So it was back to the Saffron Suite, where there was plenty of space. Those who ate were impressed by the quality. There was even praise for the nut roast.
The only fly in the ointment, more a big fat bluebottle than a fly, was the dismal choice of beverage. No cask beer and the cider had run out. Just Peroni and Guinness – extra cold Guinness, at that. :( Mr Tiger tried putting on a brave face but not very successfully. In fact, he wittered on about it all the way to Newport. It didn’t help that on touring the town after lunch, we passed at least one more pub, (the Kings Arms), a Tiptree teahouse and a micropub. Too late then, though.
Off we sped toward Newport without mishap - unless you count the ‘diversion’ round the tree-tunnel. This confused the lead walkers who shot off along the bottom of the field , not realising the diversion was only a few feet. More of a wobble than a diversion . Probably best to rewrite that bit.
Everyone enjoyed the walk, even grumpy old Mr Tiger who was still banging on about the beer.
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Mon, 21-Mar-22
Cohesion factor: 100%.
Sunday 17-Nov-19
Mr M Tiger
SWC walk 130
14.25 km 8.9 miles, finishing at Audley End
Difficulty 4/10
A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you through the parkland of Audley End then, mindful of the dwindling daylight, follows the shorter ending to Audley End station.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:10.
Return from Audley End at xx:10 and xx:47.
Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Lunch: There's plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. The 8 Bells 01799 522790 is recommended.
Here's a couple more:-
The Cross Keys (01799-522207) and a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975)
Tea:
You pass the Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) on the way to Audley End station, alternatively, continue past the station turn-off to find The Bell (01799-540382), an attractive country pub. Both come recommended.
Audley End The gardens, stables. and service wing are open to visit 10-4 (£13:50 unless an English Heritage member). The house itself is closed at present.
Additional travel info:
If anyone is up for the whole 11.7 miles to Newport, trains leave there at xx:13.
Any Weary Willies wanting to finish early could take the two-hourly 132 bus from Saffron Walden to Great Chesterford station at 13:05, 15:05 17:05. (Unfortunately, once there, there's a 45 minute wait for the xx:04 to London).
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
14.25 km 8.9 miles, finishing at Audley End
Difficulty 4/10
A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you through the parkland of Audley End then, mindful of the dwindling daylight, follows the shorter ending to Audley End station.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:10.
Return from Audley End at xx:10 and xx:47.
Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Lunch: There's plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. The 8 Bells 01799 522790 is recommended.
Here's a couple more:-
The Cross Keys (01799-522207) and a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975)
Tea:
You pass the Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) on the way to Audley End station, alternatively, continue past the station turn-off to find The Bell (01799-540382), an attractive country pub. Both come recommended.
Audley End The gardens, stables. and service wing are open to visit 10-4 (£13:50 unless an English Heritage member). The house itself is closed at present.
Additional travel info:
If anyone is up for the whole 11.7 miles to Newport, trains leave there at xx:13.
Any Weary Willies wanting to finish early could take the two-hourly 132 bus from Saffron Walden to Great Chesterford station at 13:05, 15:05 17:05. (Unfortunately, once there, there's a 45 minute wait for the xx:04 to London).
Walk Directions here
T=swc.130
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Mon, 18-Nov-19
My extensive network of spies has informed me that there were 4 on this walk.
Numbers might have been higher had there not been a broken rail on the Central Line.
So far, none of my agents have reported on the weather.
Saturday 31-Aug-19
And now for something completely different in deepest Essex with (to the best of my knowledge) no dead parrots, lumberjack songs or flying circuses.
Alight at Great Chesterford at 10:35 am.
The afternoon section passes the parkland of Audley End House (English Heritage) before arriving at Audley End Station .
If you wish to visit Audley End and you are not a member of English Heritage then the cost is £18.50. The house is open from midday to five and the stables, service wing and gardens are open from 10 am to six. You can get all the gen here
T=swc.130
Length 8.7 miles (14 km) Toughness 2 out of 10
Getting there
Catch the 9:28 am Cambridge North train from London Liverpool Street (advertised at platform 3 at the time of writing) or board at Tottenham Hale 9:40 am.Alight at Great Chesterford at 10:35 am.
Getting back
Catch a train from Audley End station. Through trains depart at 19 minutes and 40 minutes past the hour and call at Tottenham Hale then Liverpool Street.Tickets
Buy a cheap day return to Great ChesterfordOverview
This short jaunt arrives into Saffron Walden for lunch with opportunities to visit Fry Art Gallery , St. Mary's Church and the town's Museum .The afternoon section passes the parkland of Audley End House (English Heritage) before arriving at Audley End Station .
If you wish to visit Audley End and you are not a member of English Heritage then the cost is £18.50. The house is open from midday to five and the stables, service wing and gardens are open from 10 am to six. You can get all the gen here
T=swc.130
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Sun, 01-Sep-19
6 of us on this walk in this gentle arable area of the country. The weather was lovely
Such a gentle walk that nothing of note happened throughout the walk which I found very agreeable - ideal for rumination and quiet chat.
Three of us lunched at 8 Bells (one was severely disappointed with his burger, too dry to swallow. My father would have said ‘I would rather be shot than poisoned).
One with an English Heritage pass visited Audley End but us non members were somewhat parsimonious and walked on to Wendens Ambo for tea at the Fighting Cocks before catching the slow and wonderful for sleeping train back to the smoke.
Greta walk - thanks all
Wednesday 06-Feb-19
Length: 18.5 km (11.5 mi), Ascent/Descent: 174/153 m [shorter ending at Audley End]
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 hours, Toughness: 3 out of 10
Take the 10.28 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale [Victoria Line] 10.40), arrives Great Chesterford 11.35.
Return trains from Newport (Essex) : xx.13, xx.43. Buy a Great Chesterford return.
Most Essex walks feature lines of pylons marching across enormous crop fields and this one is no exception. On the plus side, most of the farmland walking is along wide grassy field edges and there are pleasant interludes through small woods and river valleys to add variety.
The centrepiece of the walk is the historic market town of Saffron Walden. Originally called Chipping Walden, the town acquired its present name in the Middle Ages when it became the centre for the saffron crocus industry; the yellow pigment was used in cloth-making, food-colouring and medicine. The north-west corner of the town has retained many attractive medieval buildings with fine examples of pargeting, the East Anglian craft of decorating external plaster walls. You enter the town through the elegant Bridge End Garden and after lunch you could visit the Fry Art Gallery of works by local artists and the impressive church of St Mary the Virgin, the largest parish church in Essex. If you have time for a longer tour of the town you can see a notable Museum of local and natural history, the Norman ruins of Walden Castle and the largest surviving historic Turf Labyrinth in England.
Immediately after leaving the town the walk route goes through the spacious parkland surrounding Audley End. The house was adapted from the buildings of a Benedictine monastery (Walden Abbey) and since the Dissolution there have been many alterations by a succession of owners. Now one of Britain's finest stately homes, the mansion mostly dates from the 18thC, with interior rooms designed by Robert Adam and parkland landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown.
From Audley End the Main Walk route follows part of the Harcamlow Way, a long-distance walk linking Harlow and Cambridge; Newport is the crossover point of this unusual figure-of-eight walk. This large village acquired its (rather confusing) name at a time when “port” meant a town with market privileges.
Lunch: 5 pubs in Saffron Walden (8 km/5 mi), recommended is The Eight Bells (food to 15.00).
Tea: The White Horse in Newport, 10 mins from the station (open all day).
For walk directions, map, photos, height profile and gpx/kml files click here . T=swc.130
For walk directions, map, photos, height profile and gpx/kml files click here . T=swc.130
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Wed, 06-Feb-19
The ground is getting a bit muddier, finally, this late in winter, although only one stretch was really annoying (it was a long one though: an ascending, newly made up with chalky clayey topsoil, farm track). We saw snowdrops practically everywhere, especially around the Audley End estate, in some places together with Winter Aconites (don't ask, just google it), which made for a nice picture. We saw a muntjac (we think), and lots of geese (Brent/Canada/Barnacle, who knows?). The landscape was mildly rolling, the sky grey, the views far enough and the temperature mild. And Saffron Walden as impressive as ever.
About half the group lunched at the 8 Bells, and we had the magnificent 16th century ex-barn dining room almost to ourselves (it is always fully booked on weekends). The leader ("The SWC does NOT have leaders." Ed.) then stealthily made that group of diners walk off-route, up to Norman Castle and Turf Maze, and on we went. Audley End (closed for the winter) was quiet and peaceful as never before, the miniature railway was closed as well, and then 4 split off to end at Audley End station, claiming early appointments back in the Smoke.
The remaining 4 of this group then met 3 of the picnickers on the platform at Newport, just in time for the 17.13.
grey dry warm for the season .
16 off the train, 1 an hour later, he walked in from Audley End station to the lunch pub in a roundabout way, i.e. 17, which incidentally seems to be a record attendance for this particular walk!
Sunday 11-Mar-18
Mr M Tiger
SWC Walk 130
18.75 km 11.7 miles
(or 14.25 km 8.9 miles finishing at Audley End)
Difficulty 4/10
A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to Saffron Walden. There you'll find half timbered buildings, an impressive church, remains of a Norman castle, an ancient turf labyrinth, and Bridge End Gardens. The afternoon goes through the parkland of Audley End and continues along the Harcamlow Way to Newport. It is possible to shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station.
Trains:
9:43 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 9:50, Seven Sisters 9:57), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05). Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Return from Newport at xx:13.
Or from Audley End at xx:10 and xx:47.
Lunch:
It's Mothers Day today, which is sometimes a problem (see below), but at least there's plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. The 8 Bells (01799-522790) is recommended. You also have the Saffron Hotel (01799-522676), The Cross Keys (01799-522207) and a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975).
Tea, Newport:
You pass the 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Tea, Audley End:
The Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) is on the way to Audley End station. You could also continue past the station turn-off then go down to the left to find The Bell (01799-540382). Both come recommended.
Audley End House is closed in winter but the gardens, stables, and service wing are open (£10.80 unless you're an English Heritage member).
Walk Directions here
You can shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station. The route there involves a teensy bit of road walking.
For an even earlier finish, a 132 bus will whisk you from Saffron Walden to Great Chesterford at 13:05, 15:05, 17:05. Unfortunately, once whisked, there's a 45 minute wait for the train. (Just as well I did a whisk assessment).
T=swc.130
18.75 km 11.7 miles
(or 14.25 km 8.9 miles finishing at Audley End)
Difficulty 4/10
A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to Saffron Walden. There you'll find half timbered buildings, an impressive church, remains of a Norman castle, an ancient turf labyrinth, and Bridge End Gardens. The afternoon goes through the parkland of Audley End and continues along the Harcamlow Way to Newport. It is possible to shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station.
Trains:
9:43 Cambridge North train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 9:50, Seven Sisters 9:57), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05). Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Return from Newport at xx:13.
Or from Audley End at xx:10 and xx:47.
Lunch:
It's Mothers Day today, which is sometimes a problem (see below), but at least there's plenty of choice in Saffron Walden. The 8 Bells (01799-522790) is recommended. You also have the Saffron Hotel (01799-522676), The Cross Keys (01799-522207) and a Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975).
Tea, Newport:
You pass the 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
Tea, Audley End:
The Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) is on the way to Audley End station. You could also continue past the station turn-off then go down to the left to find The Bell (01799-540382). Both come recommended.
Audley End House is closed in winter but the gardens, stables, and service wing are open (£10.80 unless you're an English Heritage member).
Walk Directions here
You can shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station. The route there involves a teensy bit of road walking.
For an even earlier finish, a 132 bus will whisk you from Saffron Walden to Great Chesterford at 13:05, 15:05, 17:05. Unfortunately, once whisked, there's a 45 minute wait for the train. (Just as well I did a whisk assessment).
T=swc.130
Saturday 15-Apr-17
Extra Walk 130 – Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex)
Length: 18.5 km (11.5 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:28 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:40), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:35. Buy a return to Great Chesterford.
Trains back from Newport are hourly at 43 minutes past. If you do the shorter afternoon to Audley End, direct trains back from there are at 19 (fast) & 40 minutes past the hour (you could also take a Stansted Airport train and change there for a fast train to Liverpool Street).
This gentle walk through the Essex countryside has had regular Sunday postings but its only previous Saturday outing was five years ago. Its two main features are the historic market town of Saffron Walden (well worth ambling around at lunchtime), swiftly followed by the parkland and mansion at Audley End. If you want to get your money's worth with a fairly long visit to the (English Heritage) house and gardens you can cut the walk short afterwards by diverting to Audley End station, although much of this ending is along roads.
There are many places for refreshment in Saffron Walden (plus a nice picnic spot in Bridge End Garden), but I've never made it past the first pub you come to (the Eight Bells) so can't comment on the alternatives. At the end of the full walk Newport doesn't have that much to offer but there's a friendly pub on the way to the station.
You'll need to print the directions from the Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk page. T=swc.130
Length: 18.5 km (11.5 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:28 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:40), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:35. Buy a return to Great Chesterford.
Trains back from Newport are hourly at 43 minutes past. If you do the shorter afternoon to Audley End, direct trains back from there are at 19 (fast) & 40 minutes past the hour (you could also take a Stansted Airport train and change there for a fast train to Liverpool Street).
This gentle walk through the Essex countryside has had regular Sunday postings but its only previous Saturday outing was five years ago. Its two main features are the historic market town of Saffron Walden (well worth ambling around at lunchtime), swiftly followed by the parkland and mansion at Audley End. If you want to get your money's worth with a fairly long visit to the (English Heritage) house and gardens you can cut the walk short afterwards by diverting to Audley End station, although much of this ending is along roads.
There are many places for refreshment in Saffron Walden (plus a nice picnic spot in Bridge End Garden), but I've never made it past the first pub you come to (the Eight Bells) so can't comment on the alternatives. At the end of the full walk Newport doesn't have that much to offer but there's a friendly pub on the way to the station.
You'll need to print the directions from the Great Chesterford to Newport (Essex) Walk page. T=swc.130
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Thu, 13-Apr-17
I expect to do this walk
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Thu, 13-Apr-17
same here (always up for a good Essex walk)
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Sat, 15-Apr-17
Despite announcements, not a bluebell-free walk: Rosy Grove had quite a few of them.
Else we had rolling fields, almost Tuscan in appearance this time of year, sans growth. Not one field crossing though, just grassy boundaries, tracks between belts of trees and farm tracks. Plenty of waterways, scattered woods, and lovely Saffron Walden, pargeted houses galore, one lovely lunch pub and one impressive stately pile (Audley End) incl. its parkland. And a miniature steam train just passing when we did walk past Audley End.
14 walkers, most lunching in the 8 Bells, to some mixed reports: some had great food, others weren't quite so sure. Great interior in any case.
About half of the 14 took the shortcut option to Audley End Station, the others (bar 1) were found on the 17.43.
The weather was dry with passing clouds . And with a lengthy tour through Bridge End Garden and the optional tourist route through Saffron Walden, it even scraped past the magical 20 km-mark! What's not to like?
Sunday 13-Mar-16
Great Chesterford to Newport SWC Walk 130
18.75 km 11.7 miles (or 14.25 km 8.9 miles finishing at Audley End)
Difficulty 4/10
A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you through the parkland of Audley End then continues along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10:03, Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Return from Newport at xx:13
Return from Audley End station at xx:10 and xx:47
Lunch: Plenty of choice in Saffron Walden The 8 Bells 01799 522790 is recommended
Here's a few others:- The Saffron Hotel (01799-522676), The Cross Keys (01799-522207) and a JD Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975)
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
If finishing at Audley End station, you pass the Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) on the way there. You could also continue past the station turn-off to find The Bell (01799-540382), an attractive country pub in the village of Wendens Ambo. Both come recommended.
Audley End The gardens, stables and service wing are open to visit 10-4 (cost £9.90 unless an English Heritage member). The house itself is currently closed.
Walk Directions here
It is possible to shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station. The route there involves a bit of road walking.
T=swc.130
18.75 km 11.7 miles (or 14.25 km 8.9 miles finishing at Audley End)
Difficulty 4/10
A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you through the parkland of Audley End then continues along the Harcamlow Way to Newport.
Trains:
9:57 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10:03, Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Return from Newport at xx:13
Return from Audley End station at xx:10 and xx:47
Lunch: Plenty of choice in Saffron Walden The 8 Bells 01799 522790 is recommended
Here's a few others:- The Saffron Hotel (01799-522676), The Cross Keys (01799-522207) and a JD Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975)
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
If finishing at Audley End station, you pass the Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) on the way there. You could also continue past the station turn-off to find The Bell (01799-540382), an attractive country pub in the village of Wendens Ambo. Both come recommended.
Audley End The gardens, stables and service wing are open to visit 10-4 (cost £9.90 unless an English Heritage member). The house itself is currently closed.
Walk Directions here
It is possible to shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station. The route there involves a bit of road walking.
T=swc.130
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Tue, 15-Mar-16
7 on this walk including 2 newcomers. Weather sunny and mild perfect walking weather .
Lovely quiet walk in rolling countryside in glorious weather. Excellent lunch in quaint Saffron Walden where I and a.n.other basked in a warm suntrap in a small garden by the beautiful church which we all later visited. A fine Essex walk in excellent company made for a perfect day out
Sunday 09-Aug-15
Extra Walk 130 – Great Chesterford to Newport
Length: 18.8km (11.7 miles) Toughness: 4/10
09:57 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:10) arriving at Great Chesterford at 11:05
Return trains from Newport (Essex) to Liverpool Street are at xx:13 (journey time 1 hour 01 minute). Buy an off-peak day return to Great Chesterford.
A pleasant walk through rolling hills and river valleys. As with most Essex walks it has its fair share of enormous crop fields, interspersed with small woods and river valleys. There is much of interest in the historic market town of Saffron Walden, where you stop for lunch, and Audley End (English Heritage) is one of Britain’s finest stately homes.
If you want to spend time looking round Saffron Walden or visiting Audley End, you could shorten the walk by 4.5km by walking along roads to Audley End Station (return trains are at xx:10 and xx:47[semi-fast]).
Full information about the walk and its shorter options, as well as the walk directions, can be found on the SWC Walk 130 page .
Length: 18.8km (11.7 miles) Toughness: 4/10
09:57 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Tottenham Hale 10:10) arriving at Great Chesterford at 11:05
Return trains from Newport (Essex) to Liverpool Street are at xx:13 (journey time 1 hour 01 minute). Buy an off-peak day return to Great Chesterford.
A pleasant walk through rolling hills and river valleys. As with most Essex walks it has its fair share of enormous crop fields, interspersed with small woods and river valleys. There is much of interest in the historic market town of Saffron Walden, where you stop for lunch, and Audley End (English Heritage) is one of Britain’s finest stately homes.
If you want to spend time looking round Saffron Walden or visiting Audley End, you could shorten the walk by 4.5km by walking along roads to Audley End Station (return trains are at xx:10 and xx:47[semi-fast]).
Full information about the walk and its shorter options, as well as the walk directions, can be found on the SWC Walk 130 page .
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Mon, 17-Aug-15
As no-one else has reported on this my memory is that there were 6 of us. At lunchtime 1 went to the pub, 2 had their sandwiches in the attractive Bridge End Garden, 1 walked around looking for a café (not easy on a Sunday)and 1 had disappeared. I didn't see any of the others again so don't know if like me they all carried on to Newport or whether any finished at Audley End.
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Mon, 17-Aug-15
As no-one else has reported on this my memory is that there were 6 of us. At lunchtime 1 went to the pub, 2 had their sandwiches in the attractive Bridge End Garden, 1 walked around looking for a café (not easy on a Sunday)and 1 had disappeared. I didn't see any of the others again so don't know if like me they all carried on to Newport or whether any finished at Audley End.