Braintree to Witham
A station-to-station walk
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.
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.
Credits
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Reverse direction: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.