About

This walk explores the high plateau of north east Essex.  It offers sweeping views across the valleys of the River Colne and Roman River before passing underneath the imposing Chappel viaduct.  The walk ends at the beautifully restored Chappel Station, home of the East Anglia Railway Museum. 

Directions

1. From Sudbury branch platform, cross the track into the station car park, walk up the approach road, and turn left downhill past a row of bungalows.

2. Where the road turns sharp left at the bottom of the hill carry straight on over a stile and into a small meadow. Cross a small bridge into a paddock and on the far side cross a stile onto open arable land.

3. Turn right along the field edge and follow this until you reach a small farmhouse (Hodgkin’s) and the road.

4. Turn left into the road and then right a short distance down a signposted track. Where this gives out, press on along the field edge and through a gap in the hedge. Turn right along the field edge, where the footpaths meet turn right across the footbridge.

5. Turn left and head towards a large farmhouse set in trees and turn right into a small lane (opposite the old rectory). Follow this past a group of cottages, take the sign-posted path left immediately after the last cottage and cross a large arable field. At the far end of the field turn right into a lane and walk into Aldham. 

6. At the crossroads, carry straight on past the little flint built church of St Catherine’s and St Margaret’s and pass out of the village. Where the road bears right, take a sign-posted footpath to your left (past a hidden orchard on your left). This leads into an avenue of poplars. Where these end, turn left and then very shortly right over a bridge, and pass down the field, keeping the tall hedge to your right.

7. You will see a pill-box on your right: carry straight on down-hill towards the houses and bear left along their boundary with the field to the road.Turn right and walk into Ford Street.

8. At the main road turn left until reaching a sign-posted path on your left (Colne Valley Path and Essex Way) which is between Riverdale Cottage and Bridge House, just before the road crosses the river Colne. Follow this path through a small farmyard past a clipped hedge to the river bank, and pass along the river past a garden centre. Continue into open arable land and take the path straight on down the valley floor, following the river. 

9. Continue along the field edge until reaching a plank bridge and stile at the river’s edge. Cross into a meadow 
alongside the river. Follow the river past a brick bridge. Go through the gate to the left of the pillbox and walk down the edge of the meadow towards Pope’s Hall. You are now following the Colne Valley Path.

10. Go through a gate into a field and, keeping the hedge to your right, walk on towards the viaduct. Where the field boundary turns right towards the river, press straight ahead across the field towards the right of Pope’s Hall and 
Holly Cottages.

11. At the corner of the field turn left around the edge of the gardens into a narrow lane and go to the end of Holly Cottage 
property. Turn right and follow the Colne Valley Path/Margery Allingham Walk/Fair Maid Walk/Miller’s Drift Walk signs across the field. The viaduct will be slightly to your right.

12. At the edge of this field turn sharp left into the hedge over a bridge, then turn right once more heading towards the viaduct, down a leafy path at the foot of the embankment. This brings you out at the foot of the viaduct. Under the viaduct the path emerges onto the village green at 
Chappel.

13. Head towards the church spire by going left under the viaduct. At the road turn right into the village, towards and past The Swan pub. Go through the village and across the Colne, pass straight over the crossroads and walk uphill to Chappel Station and the East Anglia Railway 
Museum.