Walks from Witham

A good-surfaced route between two historic Essex market towns, following the River Brain and a branch line through countryside, with farm tracks and wide grassed field edges and a delightful old tree-and-ditch-lined lane. Good even in winter with no deep mud; a few stiles and bridges to climb. Follows the Essex Way through old Cressing. A church cafe at Black Notley is open most days for lunch; Cressing also has a few amenities if you divert into the village.

Time: 4h–8h

Lunch: A church cafe and a few small shops at Black Notley, and amenities at Cressing, both a short detour.

Warnings: Two short no-pavement sections on the B1018 where the road is 50mph; locals use the field edges or grass verge. A footpath near Tye Green can flood.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.

Great views. A route through farmland and fields with great views, on clear, easy-to-follow paths, becoming built-up and residential near the towns. Muddy and wet underfoot near the canal in winter, some footpath sections become very overgrown with brambles and nettles and narrowing to a foot wide. An alternative is to join the canal towpath at Paper Mill Lock to avoid the section through Boreham (though the towpath can be muddy in winter).

Time: 5h30–10h30

1 lunch spot: Paper Mill Lock Tearooms

Warnings: A section of footpath near the property Latney's (south of the A12 west of Witham) can be heavily overgrown with brambles; further sections towards Wickham Bishops and Witham can be very overgrown with nettles and brambles and at times unmaintained where the path disappears; muddy near the canal in winter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.