Byrhtnoth’s Last Essex Visit
A 50-mile long distance footpath celebrating Byrhtnoth of Essex, a local tribal leader who died at the Battle of Maldon. The walk visits sites associated with Byrhtnoth. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TL 502 427
Distance: 50 miles (80 km)
Time: 18–24 hours
Duration: 3–5 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
176 Blackwater Estuary
183 Chelmsford and The Rodings
195 Braintree and Saffron Walden
209 Cambridge, Royston, Duxford and Linton
Summary
Byrhtnoth was the Ealdorman of Essex who died on 10 August 991 at the Battle of Maldon. He is the subject of an ancient poem and is commemorated with a statue. This walk follows sites in Essex associated with Byrhtnoth. The route begins in Great Chesterford and goes through or close to Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Rowney Corner (Howlett End), Rowney Woods, Thaxted, Pond Bay, Pollymill, Duton Hill, Great Easton, Bush Wood, the River Chelmer, Church End, Great Dunmow, Bumpsted Hill, Little Dunmow, Absol Park, Hartford End, Howe Street, Great Waltham, Langleys, Chatham Hall, Little Waltham, Little Waltham Meadows Nature Reserve, Croxton’s Mill, the Broomfield, Springfield Hall Park, and Chelmer Valley areas of Chelmsford, Chelmsford Cathedral, Sandford Mill Bridge, the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, Paper Mill Bridge, Ulting, and Maldon, before reaching the finish at the fateful Maldon Hill battlefield.