The Westerly Walk

Main Features of the Walk
 
  • A riverside walk with views across the water meadows
  • Employs footpaths that are generally quieter than those to the east of the village.
  • A chance to see historic Langham  Church.
Outline Route
 		 The walk starts in the centre of Dedham and progresses westwards along the south bank of the River Stour.  After a visit to Langham Church, the route follows a southerly course  back to the centre of Dedham village.
Approximate Distance
 		 About 6 miles.
Approx. Completion Time
 		 About 3 hours
Toilet Provisions
 		 There are public toilets in Dedham.
Suggested Car Parking
 		 At the public car park in Mill Lane, Dedham
Eating and Drinking
 		 There are several pubs etc. in Dedham village and also in Stratford St. Mary (which lies about 1/2 mile north of the route, close to the A12 trunk road).  Also the walk passes through the car park of "Milsoms", a "gastro pub".
 
Shortcuts The "Directions" listed below relate to the route that is shown on the map in yellow highlight.  If you want a shorter walk than is suggested,  potential shortcuts have been shown in blue highlight on the map. 

Directions

  Distance from start (miles)    
The walk starts from the Dedham car park.  Walk up Mill Lane, towards the centre of the village.
 		 0
Be prepared to meet inquisitive locals!
 
At the T-junction (with the War Memorial opposite) turn right (west), up the High Street.  After about 1/4 mile turn right (north west) down the footpath just before you reach the Assembly Rooms (village hall).
 		 0.2
Follow this path for about 3/4 mile.  It becomes wooded, and bears left, emerging in the car park of "Milsoms", a gastro pub. 1
Bear left to leave the car park, and when you reach the main road, turn right (west) to continue the full walk.  

If you want a shorter walk, then take the footpath which is marked in blue on the map, and join the main walk at the point shown in italics below.
 

  

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey® on
   behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office©
Crown copyright 1999. All rights reserved.
Licence number 100047627.
Cross the bridge over the A12 trunk road and bear left up Gun Hill.  This road used to be the A12, and Gun Hill was notorious for numerous serious accidents.
 		  
After about 100 yards turn right (west), at the elaborate wrought iron gates, on to a woodland track.
 		  
Follow this track to a T-junction close to Langham Church.  Consider making a short detour to visit the church and to see the view to the north over the valley.
 		 1.7
Langham Church
At the T-junction turn left (south).
 		  
After 200 yards, at the T-junction turn left (east)
 		  
After 1/4 mile, at the T-junction turn right (south)
 		  
 Watch out for the traffic on this road!  After 100 yards, turn left (south east) into Coles Oak Lane, and cross over the A12. 

Pass the point where the short cut from Milsoms (detailed above) rejoins the main walk.
 

 2.5

 

(2.75)
Turn right (south) into Monks Lane. 

If you wish to take a short cut, then turn left (east) on to the footpath (marked in blue on the map at the top of these directions) that runs along the south bank of the stream that is crossed at the bottom of the hill
 		 3
 
Otherwise, continue along Monks Lane until Lamb Corner (named after a pub that used to be located here) is reached.
 		  
At Lamb Corner proceed straight ahead (south) up the slight hill, Ardleigh Road.
 		 3.7
After 200 yards take the first road on the left  (east) "Long Road West"
.		 4
After 1/4 mile turn left (north) onto a farm track, "Mays Lane".  Follow this track past the farm houses.  At this stage the track narrows, and you should keep to the right until you reach the corner of a field, at which stage you can enjoy the view shown on the right.
 		 4.5
 
Follow the path through a gate to the left, and then keep to the edge of the pasture until you reach the farm buildings by the road.

It is at this point that the shortcut from Monks Lane rejoins the main walk.

 4.7
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey® on
   behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office©
Crown copyright 1999. All rights reserved.
Licence number 100047627.

 
Leave the farm by the path that runs eastwards from the farmyard, along the north side of the barn (see accompanying map).  
Follow this path, which runs along the edge of fields, until you reach an elaborate stile with a bridge over a ditch.  5.2
Go over the stile, and continue ahead on the footpath that leads through paddocks that often contain livestock.  On the way you will pass the pictured oak tree.  It was almost certainly around when Matthew Hopkins (the "Witchfinder General") who was a Manningtree resident, practised his grim activities to rid the area of witches in the mid-seventeenth century.  It is  claimed (contentiously!) that the scene of the last English witch burning was in the garden of the Sun Inn, Dedham.
 		  
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey® on
   behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office©
Crown copyright 1999. All rights reserved.
Licence number 100047627.
 
Continue until you reach the cricket field, and at this point turn right (east) along the edge of the field.  When you reach the cricket pavilion turn left (north) and this runs into the centre of Dedham.
 		 5.5
Total mileage for the full walk:  5.75
   
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