Beeleigh and River Meadows Route - 2 hrs
This route is a bit of mix of the first two. After Beeleigh it follows the river along until Blue Mills Bridge and then returns through Woodham Walter. It should take you about 2 hours with steady trots and the occasional canter.
Leave Limebrook by the front gate and cross the A414
Proceed up the hill (bridleway) and through the woods at the top - t hese can get muddy
Once through the woods, carry on down the track passing the caravan site on your left and eventually coming to the road.
At the road turn right (caution - the turn is almost blind to oncoming traffic)
Stay on this road until you come to a T junction on your left signposted Beeleigh. You will go around several “S” bends and climb a steep hill towards the junction.
At the T junction turn left and continue down hill until the next left turn - some good views across Maldon and Langford can be had from here
At the next T junction, turn left and continue along the road. The fields on both sides are private, but the farmer does not object to cantering if there is stubble.
At the next T junction, turn right and continue down hill towards the river.
You will pass another T junction on your left and then pass a cattle farm also on your left (caution - there are sometimes large black silage rolls next to the road).
This lane then continues down hill and the fields flatten out to give you views of the river meadows on the right hand side.
After about 1 mile, you will come to a T junction on a left hand bend. If you want a look at the lock and bridge at Blue Mills, then turn right and walk around the next corner. Otherwise turn left and start heading up the hill towards Woodham Walter.
As you come up the hill you will approach a junction on your left which will take you back towards “The Cats” pub and then back to the bridleway home (should you need to !)
Continue up the hill towards Woodham Walter village.
Once in the village, there are several pubs which are horse friendly, the “Queen Victoria” and the “Bell”. Continue on the road until you reach the church.
At the church you have two options, you can turn left and cut off about 1 mile of hack or carry on up the hill.
If you turn left, continue down the road and this route will collect you soon.
So… you fancied the longer route. Continue up the hill, you will pass several large properties on the left and right and eventually reach a junction with the entrance to “The Warren golf club” on the right. Turn left and continue along the road, you will pass a farm shop selling apples on the left.
You will come to a cross roads, which is where the lazy ones who turned left at the church will appear.
Continue straight along the road, which will soon become an “S” bend. (Those who came from the church need to turn left at the cross roads !)
After the S bend, the road widens and some good hard trotting can be had on the hilly sections. If there is stubble in the fields left or right, these can be cantered upon.
You will see a “Slow Children” sign on your left. It’s a good idea to slow as it tends to stop the dogs from barking at the caravan site which will be on your right.
Just past the caravan site you will see a rather familiar bridleway on the right hand side
Cross the road onto the bridleway and retrace your steps through the woods back to the farm.
Leave Limebrook by the front gate and cross the A414
Proceed up the hill (bridleway) and through the woods at the top - t hese can get muddy
Once through the woods, carry on down the track passing the caravan site on your left and eventually coming to the road.
At the road turn right (caution - the turn is almost blind to oncoming traffic)
Stay on this road until you come to a T junction on your left signposted Beeleigh. You will go around several “S” bends and climb a steep hill towards the junction.
At the T junction turn left and continue down hill until the next left turn - some good views across Maldon and Langford can be had from here
At the next T junction, turn left and continue along the road. The fields on both sides are private, but the farmer does not object to cantering if there is stubble.
At the next T junction, turn right and continue down hill towards the river.
You will pass another T junction on your left and then pass a cattle farm also on your left (caution - there are sometimes large black silage rolls next to the road).
This lane then continues down hill and the fields flatten out to give you views of the river meadows on the right hand side.
After about 1 mile, you will come to a T junction on a left hand bend. If you want a look at the lock and bridge at Blue Mills, then turn right and walk around the next corner. Otherwise turn left and start heading up the hill towards Woodham Walter.
As you come up the hill you will approach a junction on your left which will take you back towards “The Cats” pub and then back to the bridleway home (should you need to !)
Continue up the hill towards Woodham Walter village.
Once in the village, there are several pubs which are horse friendly, the “Queen Victoria” and the “Bell”. Continue on the road until you reach the church.
At the church you have two options, you can turn left and cut off about 1 mile of hack or carry on up the hill.
If you turn left, continue down the road and this route will collect you soon.
So… you fancied the longer route. Continue up the hill, you will pass several large properties on the left and right and eventually reach a junction with the entrance to “The Warren golf club” on the right. Turn left and continue along the road, you will pass a farm shop selling apples on the left.
You will come to a cross roads, which is where the lazy ones who turned left at the church will appear.
Continue straight along the road, which will soon become an “S” bend. (Those who came from the church need to turn left at the cross roads !)
After the S bend, the road widens and some good hard trotting can be had on the hilly sections. If there is stubble in the fields left or right, these can be cantered upon.
You will see a “Slow Children” sign on your left. It’s a good idea to slow as it tends to stop the dogs from barking at the caravan site which will be on your right.
Just past the caravan site you will see a rather familiar bridleway on the right hand side
Cross the road onto the bridleway and retrace your steps through the woods back to the farm.
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