There are many great walks short or long distance you can explore, directly from Farm Cottage.
(Farm Cottage: Lat 51.92445n / Long 1.18525e)
Try our personally recommended 4.94 Mile walk which transverses open scenic farmland, Two RSPB woodlands and the banks of the
River Stour, with picturesque views across to Suffolk and which also joins up with the 'Essex Way'..
Copperas Bay views across the Stour to Suffolk.
Walkers notes:
Remember the Country code.
Close any gates you open, no littering, keep to designated paths, do not destroy or damage indigenes plants, tree's or crops. Be respectful to other peoples property, keep away from and do not feed any Livestock. No lighting fires or camping without the land owners prior permission. Dog's must be kept under control at all times, some Woodlands do not allow Dog's.
What should I take?
Sensible, good fitting walking shoes or boots, a lightweight rain mack, bottled water, field glasses, digital camera, local map 1:25 000 scale, compass, pen & note book.
Our Recommended Farm Cottage Walk No.1 - 4.94 Miles.
From Farm Cottage (with care) cross the A120 and join the Public Footpath directly opposite to the North.
1. Turn left following the Footpath sign to your North West
2. Turn North following the Footpath sign
3. Turn right and cross the bridge, then continue to your left (North)
4. Upon reaching the Road near Stourwood Landscapes, turn right (East) until you reach the concrete Footpath sign on your left, follow the Footpath heading North into the woods. Follow the yellow marker Footpath sticks to your North East..
5. When you reach the 'T' junction there are two sign posts, 'To hides' right, 'to car park' back the way you came, Turn LEFT (West) and follow the path until you reach the Woodcutters Cottage.
6.At the Woodcutters Cottage turn right (North) and follow the left path marked 'To the Estuary'. Which will take you NW.
7. At the edge of the woods go over the style and across open Farmland, heading West, the Railway lines and the river are running parallel to your right. Continue until you reach the Railway Bridge (No.1062 65-20) Go over the bridge.
8. Once over the bridge you enter a Meadow, this is a great viewpoint (you are 25 metres above Sea level) and a good spot to stop for a minuet for a drink or something to eat, and use your field-glasses. The Estuary is laid out before you with the Suffolk shoreline. Directly ahead is the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook you can see the clock tower, looking left to right you can see the Villages of Harkstead, Arwarton and Shotley, then the cranes at Felixstowe over the other side of the River Orwell.
Moving on follow the path back alongside the Railway lines heading East until you reach the edge of the Woods, here turn left (North) and follow the path down the side of the Meadow heading towards the River. Past the 'DEFRA' sign board.
9. At the bottom of the meadow by the river turn right (East) you have now joined up with the 'Essex Way' go through the metal turn-style and through the bottom of the private gardens along the river and out through the second set of metal turn-styles back into another meadow. Follow the river ( Copperas Bay) until you reach the woods (Stour Estuary Nature Reserve).
10. Cross the wooden bridge and a notice board about the woods and map is on your left. Follow the path (marked with the Essex Way Poppies) to the right leaving the river behind you, over the timber bridge, continue on the path climbs and swings from the East to the SE. Just ahead to the right, there is a carved bench just off the main path.
11. A little further up is a wooden style, climb over and across the next Railway bridge (1064 66-13) you are now entering the edge of Copperas Wood Nature Reserve. This path runs along the edge of the 14 Hectare woods which mainly consists of Sweet Chestnut & Hornbeam Coppice trees, this wood has recorded over 100 bird spices including all 3 Woodpecker spices, Nightingale's, Pipistrelle Bats' and the Speckled Wood Butterfly. Follow the perimeter path until you reach the Road.
12. At the Road turn left (East) and with care follow the road for about 100yds, you rejoin the Footpath on the right heading South. About 100yds up this farmland path to your left you can see the Village of Ramsey, the Windmill and Church.
13. Continue past the Radio mast. Cross the field in front of you following the yellow FP signs, keeping the Windmill to your left. Farm Cottage can now be seen in the distance at your 3 O'clock position. Go over the Style and turn RIGHT, you are now leaving the Essex Way which runs to your left down towards the Windmill and Ramsey Village. Cross the second Style and continue heading West with the Windmill directly behind you, Farm Cottage is now at your 10 O'clock position.
14. Over the 3rd Style continue heading West running parallel with the A120 on your left. You are now crossing between open fields, continue to follow the yellow Footpath markers.
15. The yellow Footpath marker now turns 90 degrees left heading South with Farm Cottage directly ahead of you, climb up the hill and rejoin the first leg of this walk. Take care crossing back over the A120 to return at Farm Cottage. You have just covered around 4.94 Miles and enjoyed some of the best North Essex Countryside and Nature Reserves.
"Many thanks to Rob Hinge from Holland for doing this walk (31st August 2009) and for his corrections" - Andy.
Farm
Cottage viewed from map point No.2
The Durrant
family at map point No.8
September
2009 Map point No.10
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Walk No.2 Farm Cottage to Gt.Oakley
Click on image to enlarge.
This walk take around one hour there and back to Farm Cottage B&B
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