Walks & Countryside
Quiet lanes, big skies and proper Essex wanders
North Essex is made for wandering. This is a landscape of quiet lanes, open fields, ancient woods and gently rolling countryside, where a walk can take you from a peaceful village green to a hidden woodland path or a far-reaching view beneath big Essex skies. Whether you are looking for a short stroll, a longer countryside ramble or a scenic route to explore by bike, there is plenty here to slow you down and draw you in. Little Hales Wood and Shadwell Wood offer a sense of seclusion and natural beauty, while the Flitch Way provides one of the area’s best-loved routes for walking, cycling and easy-going exploration. This part of the county also proudly formed part of the route of the 2014 Tour de France, adding another layer to its appeal for cyclists and lovers of the open road. From woodland tracks and bridleways to winding rural lanes and village-to-village walks, North Essex is full of rewarding ways to get outside and explore.
The Flitch Way
The Flitch Way is one of North Essex’s best-loved routes for walkers, cyclists and riders, following a former railway line for 15 peaceful miles through the Essex countryside between Braintree and Bishop’s Stortford. With access points around Braintree, Rayne and Great Dunmow, it is easy to join for anything from a short stroll to a longer day out. The route is flat, traffic-free and wonderfully calm, making it ideal for families, gentle walks and easy cycling beneath big skies and through quiet rural scenery. Part of its charm lies in its history: this was once a working railway line, opened in the 19th century and later closed before being transformed into the green corridor enjoyed today. Old station buildings, stretches of straight track and the lingering feel of the railway past give the Flitch Way a character all of its own, blending peace, heritage and countryside in one memorable route.
Ride a Taste of the 2014 Tour de France in North Essex
For cyclists who fancy riding a memorable stretch of the 2014 Tour de France route, North Essex offers a brilliant mix of quiet country lanes, postcard villages, and rewarding café or pub stops along the way. Stage 3 passed through this part of Essex on its way from Cambridge to London, and it still makes for a wonderfully scenic day in the saddle.
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A route rich in atmosphere
A popular section to explore is the ride between Saffron Walden and Finchingfield, taking in some of the beautiful villages and rolling countryside that helped make this stage so distinctive. Starting in Saffron Walden, cyclists can enjoy the character of this historic market town before heading out onto lanes edged by hedgerows, open fields, and big Essex skies.
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From there, the route can weave through villages such as Radwinter and Wethersfield, where the roads feel calmer, the scenery opens out, and the pace of the ride becomes part of the pleasure. These are the kinds of lanes that invite riders to settle into a rhythm, enjoy the views, and imagine the excitement that swept through the area when the Tour came racing by.
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Finchingfield and beyond
A highlight for many riders is Finchingfield, often described as one of England’s most picturesque villages. Its village green, duck pond, and historic buildings make it an ideal place to pause, catch your breath, and soak up the atmosphere. It is easy to picture this as one of the most memorable stops on a leisurely cycling route inspired by the Tour.
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Beyond the ride itself, part of the appeal is the chance to turn a cycling outing into a full day experience. Along the way, riders can stop off at country pubs, village cafés, and tearooms, making time for coffee, lunch, or a well-earned slice of cake before getting back in the saddle.
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Why cyclists will love it
This is not just about following a famous sporting route. It is about enjoying North Essex at handlebar height: winding lanes, attractive villages, gentle climbs, open countryside, and plenty of places to pause. For anyone inspired by the 2014 Tour de France, this stretch offers the chance to combine a sense of occasion with the simple pleasures of a great countryside ride.
Woodland Escapes in North Essex
For anyone looking to slow the pace and spend time outdoors, Shadwell Wood, Little Hales Wood, and Hatfield Forestmake a wonderful trio to explore. All within around a 30-40 minute drive of each other, they offer three very different ways to enjoy North Essex’s woodland landscapes, whether you are after a gentle walk, a quiet moment in nature, or a full day out.
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Shadwell Wood
Shadwell Wood is a lovely choice for walkers who enjoy peaceful woodland paths and a sense of being tucked away in the countryside. It is the sort of place that feels calm and unspoilt, where the changing seasons bring fresh colour and character to every visit. Ideal for a quiet stroll, it offers that simple pleasure of birdsong, trees overhead, and time to switch off from the rush of everyday life.
Little Hales Wood
Nearby, Little Hales Wood has its own appeal, with a similarly tranquil atmosphere and a strong sense of natural beauty. It is a rewarding place for those who enjoy discovering lesser-known corners of North Essex, where woodland walks feel relaxed and uncrowded. Whether you visit for a short wander or combine it with other countryside stops, it is a lovely place to reconnect with nature.
Castle Camps Millennium Wood
another peaceful woodland stop within easy reach of this part of North Essex. Planted to mark the turn of the millennium, it is a younger woodland with a quiet, open feel, making it ideal for a gentle walk and a moment to enjoy the surrounding countryside. It adds another easy nature stop to the area, perfect for visitors who like to combine simple walks, fresh air, and lesser-known green spaces.
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Hatfield Forest
For a larger and more established woodland destination, Hatfield Forest offers a different kind of experience. With its ancient trees, wide open spaces, lakeside views, and network of walking routes, it is ideal for visitors who want more to explore. Families, walkers, and nature lovers can all enjoy time here, whether that means a longer walk, a picnic, or simply taking in the beauty of one of the region’s most special green spaces.
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Four woodland stops, one easy day out
Together, these three spots make a brilliant woodland-themed day out in North Essex. Because they are all within easy reach of one another, they can be enjoyed as individual visits or combined into a wider countryside itinerary. From quiet hidden woods to one of the area’s best-loved forest landscapes, they show just how much variety North Essex has to offer for anyone drawn to trees, trails, and time outdoors.
The Saffron Trail
For walkers wanting to experience North Essex at a gentler pace, the Saffron Trail offers a wonderful way to explore the landscape, history and character of the area. Stretching between Saffron Walden and Chelmsford, this long-distance footpath passes through quiet villages, open countryside, farmland and woodland, revealing a slower, more peaceful side of Essex along the way.
In the North Essex section of the route, walkers can enjoy beautiful rural scenery, historic churches, traditional villages and a strong sense of connection to the county’s past. It is the kind of walk that rewards curiosity, whether you choose to tackle a longer stretch or simply enjoy a shorter section as part of a day out. With changing views across the seasons and plenty of opportunities to stop in nearby towns and villages, the Saffron Trail is ideal for those who enjoy walking as a way to truly discover a place.
Know a Great Walk We Should Include?
If you know a beautiful footpath, favourite circular walk, bridleway or countryside route in North Essex that deserves to be shared, we would love to hear about it. Whether it is a peaceful woodland trail, a village-to-village walk or a local route with wonderful views, send your suggestions to discovernorthessex@gmail.com and help us uncover even more of the area’s best walks.