Wakes Colne, Fordstreet and Chappel

Passing through woodland to higher ground beyond Bretts Farm there are extensive views over the Colne valley to the south. The walk then follows an ancient sunken lane past grassy horse paddocks as it descends to the village of Fordstreet.

Then follows the most delightful stretch: past a wall with a variety of flowers growing in it (the real meaning of wallflowers) and on past a tree and shrub nursery leading to a fine track beside the River Colne. Here you will see water lilies, skylarks, cormorants, and a variety of waterfowl. In the distance, the 32-arch Chappel Viaduct is etched tall against the sky.

Heading back towards the start, the walk passes through flax country — a rippling expanse of blue in summer. A shrub-lined path leads under the viaduct past a well-stocked duck pond to a fine group of houses and the Church of St Barnabas, built here to serve the people who, in days past, found the trek to church in Great Tey too far.

Allow time at the end of the walk to visit the East Anglia Railway Museum and its excellent bookshop. The line operates steam-hauled passenger trains on the Gainsborough Line. The museum points out this is a working railway and visitors should not walk along or beside the track.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.