Newport, Widdington and Debden
Today was a great success: we were five: me, Norma, Jo W., Sue Shaw and Stephen (who hadn’t had enough time to recce, but was back in time for walk)The weather was perfect again. We had time to visit the medieval Prior's Hall Barn at Widdington. The Barn reminded us of the one we saw in Bradford-on-Avon. We had a lovely lunch at the Plough in Debden, consisting of several starters and some desserts! We looked in on churches (but not in Newport). The countryside was looking gorgeous, with flowers, butterflies, birds, cornfields, green lanes, woods, valleys (but dried up streams). It’s such a good time of year for walking, so I’m glad we did it. By looking in at the occasional pub, we kept abreast of the sporting news… Joy P»
By train: 8.42am from Liverpool Street Station arrives Newport 9.57am. Return trains: 13 past the hour.
By car: M11 to Junction 9, then B1383 to Newport.
Route and features, a.m. (5.28 miles): past chalk pit to Waldegraves Farm, past Cabbage Wood and Park Wood, Widdington Village, Prior’s Hall Barn (medieval), Swaynes Hall, Mole Hall, Rook End Lane, Brockton’s Plantation. P.m. (3.73 miles): Debden's 13th-century church, Debden Hall and Park with lake, Brick House Farm, St Mary’s Church Newport, Monk’s Barn, Waterloo House, back to Newport Station. Terrain: gently undulating, with green lanes, large fields, hedges and woods.
White Hart PH, Debden (website says: Saffron Walden). We can phone through our menu choices on the morning. No muddy boots, but dogs allowed.