Footpaths in Ashingdon Parish
PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY :
There are many public footpaths in Ashingdon Parish, in and around the villages of Ashingdon and South Fambridge. They are mostly rural, all very calm, tranquil, pleasant routes with beautiful sites and views and they vary in nature from riverside, open fields, meadow-side, green lanes, leafy “tunnels” and woods, and they run through every type of terrain including flat, undulating and hilly landscapes.
Those off-road routes include public footpaths, a few public bridleways and byways.
Footpaths are marked with a yellow arrow and are for walkers.
Bridleways are marked with a blue arrow and are for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists.
Byways are marked with a red arrow and are for walkers, horse-riders, cyclists, horse-drawn and motorised vehicles.
A footpath, a bridleway or a byway is a Public Right of Way. It is a “highway” and in that respect it has most of the same rights and protections as any other highway or public road. Many of the same laws apply to footpaths and bridleways, as they do to public roads, although, there are a few different laws. It is often said that “once a highway, always a highway”, meaning that any public route, whether a road, a byway, a bridleway or a footpath is a public right of way or highway that cannot ever be closed, obstructed, taken away, deviated, damaged or spoilt, except if the law or public health demands it.
Many of Ashingdon’s footpath and bridleway routes lead into neighbouring parishes.
Some of the footpaths form our parish boundary with a neighbouring parish. In some of those, the boundary runs along the centreline of the path, in others it may be one side or the other, and in some, the boundary changes from the centre to one side or the other quite frequently.
On a few footpaths, there are 2 footpath numbers for the same path. Sometimes this is because the same path has a different number along its length for Ashingdon and for the neighbouring parish, because the path is the boundary or it crosses the boundary. Sometimes the first stretch of the path in Ashingdon has one number, then where it crosses the parish boundary, its continuation in another parish has another number.
Ashingdon Public Rights of Way Map
Ashingdon Parish Council hopes to produce and issue a printed full colour fold-out map in the near future to list, show and describe all of the Public Rights of Way in The Parish.
The Coastal Path
The very broad, tidal River Crouch is one of the most prominent geographic features of Ashingdon Parish and South Fambridge village in particular. Our Footpath 12 is 4.1 km (2.55 miles), so a walk along both stretches end to end is 8.2 km (5.1 miles) long. Longer walks can be made by continuing east through Canewdon's FP5 and FP7 and returning by road along Lark Hill Road and Canewdon Road to rejoin many other routes. In the other direction, by going west along Footpath 12, it leads to a footpath in Hullbridge to The Dome where one can return by road along Lower Road, where other routes can be taken along Granville Road or Clarendon Road and beyond.
Circular Walking Routes
There are about 8 to 10 circular routes that can be walked through the Parish of Ashingdon, including the village of South Fambridge. They range from about 1 mile (1.6 km) up to 5.5 miles (8.8 km).
(Details on these circular routes will be added soon).
The Roach Valley Way
The "Roach Valley Way" is a 23 miles long circular country walk, 2.25 miles (3.5 km) of which passes through the Parish of Ashingdon. This beautiful rural route can be started in Hockley Woods and Great Bull Wood. It then runs into Ashingdon Parish in White Hart Lane just after the railway bridge, then along FP7, FP4, The Chase, Ashingdon Road, Church Road, FP5, FP19, then along Canewdon Road beyond our boundary at Hyde Wood Lane into Canewdon where it turns north to Upper Raypits and the River Crouch, along the sea wall, through the Lower Raypits Nature Reserve to Lion Wharf, south to Paglesham Churchend, southwest to Stannets Creek, then past Barton Hall, along the River Roach sea wall, past Stambridge Mills, through Rochford Town, along Hall Road, through the Ashingdon Youth Football Club grounds, through the Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, past The Lawn, The Scrubs, Gusted Hall and back through Hockley Woods. An Essex County Council booklet called "The Roach Valley Way" with descriptions, photos and information about the entire route can be bought from the Essex County Council Community Action Team. Tel. 0845 603 7631. Publication Reference ISBN 1852811498.
DEFINITIVE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY :
Footpath 1 (FP 1) “Beckney Wood” From Cheltenham Road, via Orchard Close, over Tonbridge Road, past Russet Way and Branksome Avenue, through Beckney Wood to Wood Avenue. It starts as a semi-urban path, then it climbs a steep hill and enters into the beautiful Beckney Wood, where it follows the southwest and west perimeter to Wood Avenue. This path is in one the highest places in The Parish and through the Malvern Road Park there are beautiful views of Canewdon and the wooded hill opposite. Length 700 metres (760 yards).
Footpath 2 (FP 2) “Boundary Path” This footpath links with Footpath 7 (Hawkwell). It is a rural, wooded and beautiful route from Rectory Avenue. It passes along or near the Parish boundary, past Boundary Wood, through woodland, with vistas of meadows, past other footpaths, to Lincoln Road, then towards Durham Road, then it becomes FP 7. It goes over The River Roach and through a meadow to White Hart Lane, a total distance of 1000 metres (0.62 mile) from Rectory Avenue including the stretch as Footpath 7. See Footpath 7, below.
Footpath 4 (FP 4) “Rouncefall” This path runs from Ashingdon Road, along The Chase, along its south fork, through the mediaeval Rouncefall Farm, then over one of the highest points in The Parish, where one can see stunningly beautiful views of woods nearby and in the distance along with farmland, between Hockley Woods, Belchamps, Mount Bovers and Gusted Hall Woods about 2.25 to 3.25 kilometres (1.5 to 2.5 miles) away. Then, the path turns south, it goes downhill and meets Footpath 7. Length 1.20 kilometres (0.75 mile) including The Chase.
Footpath 5 (FP 5) “The Minster” This path runs along Church Road up to Saint Andrew’s Church, also known as Ashingdon Minster, at the top of one of the hills in Ashingdon. The path runs past our single war-grave, through the churchyard, from where, beautiful views of Canewdon and The River Crouch Valley can be seen, then it passes through a wood and gives more beautiful views, then it runs down a steep hill through the middle of a cornfield to Moon’s Farm in Canewdon Road. Length 700 metres (760 yards) including Church Road.
Footpath 7 (FP 7) “Boundary Path” This path is also known for part of its length as Footpath 2 in Ashingdon for part of its route. Footpath 7 runs from Rectory Avenue, past Magnolia Park, past the ends of Lincoln Road and Durham Road, then over the River Roach, through meadows to White Hart Lane. Part of this path FP 7 / FP 2 runs on the Hawkwell side of the parish boundary, hence the two footpath numbers. This is why we often refer to the entire route as Footpath 7. Length 1000 metres (0.62 mile) from Rectory Avenue to White Hart Lane. See Footpath 2, above.
Footpath 8 (FP 8) “Trinity Wood” This path starts at the end of the north fork of The Chase, which used to be called Red Lane. The path turns right where it enters the wooded area and runs around the edge of land and fields from where there are beautiful views of the River Crouch Valley. The path then passes Trinity Wood which is full of bluebells and intense fragrance in Spring, then it runs down Trinity Wood Road to Greensward Lane. Length 630 metres (680 yards) including Trinity Wood Road.
Footpath 10 (FP 10) “Rochelles” This path starts in Lower Road near Lowlands Farm, it goes past Rochelles Farm, with rare cattle breeds and horses in meadows, it passes through open fields with views of Plumberow Mount and Beckney Farm and it continues to near South Fambridge village. Length 1.18 kilometres (0.73 mile).
Footpath 11 (FP 11) “Brenham Farm” This path starts in Fambridge Road not far from All Saints Church, beside a pumping station, it crosses meadows making a short-cut to rejoin Fambridge Road beside Brenham Farm. Length 400 metres (435 yards).
Footpath 12 (FP 12) “Longpole Reach” This is a coastal path running on top of the sea wall alongside the tidal River Crouch along a stretch of the river called Longpole Reach. The path can be joined at South Fambridge via Bridleway 13 and it runs in both directions, east to Shortpole Reach at the Canewdon Parish boundary and west to Brandyhole Reach near Beckney Brook at the Hullbridge Parish boundary. This path provides beautiful views of a large tidal river, the boats sailing on it, the hills on the other side, the hills and woods in Ashingdon and Hockley and the enormous variety of marine, farming and meadow-land wildlife. Length 4.10 kilometres (2.55 miles).
Bridleway 13 (BR 13) “Old Ferry House” This is a bridleway starting from the Old Ferry House in South Fambridge to the River Crouch sea wall. with views of North Fambridge on the opposite side. There used to be a ferry boat service over the river from here for hundreds of years until the mid 1900s. Length 250 metres (275 yards).
Footpath 14 (FP 14) “Broadlands” This rural path was the northern end of White Hart Lane from beside the stile to Footpath 7, from where it ran north to Footpath 15. Footpath 14 has recently been converted to Bridleway 31.
Footpath 15 (FP 15) “Blind Lane” This rural path used to run from Greensward Lane beside the doctors surgery, along a green lane once called Blind Lane, but the western end has been converted to Bridleway 31. Footpath 15 now starts at the north end of White Hart Lane, then continues through a dense leafy “tunnel” beside the stream, probably called Hawkwell Brook to the bridge where Footpath 7 runs southwest. Length 275 metres (300 yards).
Footpath 16 (FP 16) “Red Lane” This path starts at the beginning of the north fork of The Chase. This road used to be called Red Lane. The path goes uphill, then it continues straight ahead through a dense leafy “tunnel”, past the top of Trinity Wood Road, over a high meadow, the highest point in Ashingdon Parish, where it gives beautiful views of The River Crouch including Brandy Hole and South Fambridge, then it joins a lane which leads to Mount View and Highfield. The path runs down beside the steep lane to Greensward Lane. Length 950 metres (1030 yards).
Bridleway 17 (BR 17) “The Common” This bridleway starts in Greensward Lane beside The Old Forge near Trinity Wood Road, it passes horse meadows with beautiful views of woods and horses, then it crosses a brook and runs beside a cottage and the old Common until it reaches the top of New Park Road which is Byway 23. Length 250 metres (270 yards).
Footpath 18 (FP 18) “Nansen” This path starts at the east end of Nansen Avenue and runs through to Golden Cross Road. The road was named after a Mr Nansen in Norway because donations from Norway in gratitude for Britain’s help during the war, enabled 22 houses to be built to house people who lost homes in the 1953 floods. Length 51 metres (55 yards).
Footpath 19 (FP 19) “Glazebrook” This path runs through the middle of a cornfield from Canewdon Road beside Glazebrook Farm, up a steep hill to woods beside St Andrew’s Church graveyard, from where, beautiful views of Canewdon and The River Crouch Valley can be seen. Length 215 metres (233 yards).
Bridleway 20 (BR 20) “Magnolia Park” This bridleway starts at Footpath 2 (Footpath 7) and runs south through beautiful woods into Magnolia Park. Where the path crosses the Parish boundary, it becomes Hawkwell’s Bridleway 35. Length 35 metres (38 yards) in Ashingdon, then it continues as BR35 Hawkwell for 970 metres (1061 yards) to Magnolia Road.
Byway 21 (BY 21) “Woodside” This byway runs from Lower Road along New Park Road, then turns right along Cavendish Road, then right into Wellington Road, then left into Woodside Road, then right into Clarendon Road and it continues north up to Lower Road. It runs along beautiful rural unmade roads and green lanes beside Beckney Wood. Length 830 metres (900 yards).
Byway 22 (BY 22) “Granville” This byway runs through the western part of Woodside Road, the beautiful rural unmade green lane beside Beckney Wood, starting at its junction with Clarendon Road, then it turns into Granville Road and continues north up to Lower Road. Length 550 metres (595 yards).
Byway 23 (BY 23) “New Park” This byway runs along the unmade New Park Road from Cavendish Road southward to the end of the road where it turns right and where Bridleway 17 and Bridleway 24 start. Length 225 metres (244 yards).
Bridleway 24 (BR 24) “Oakfield” This bridleway runs through Ashingdon Common, along the unmade New Park Road from the end of the road where it turns right and where Bridleway 17 starts, it continues westward to the junction with the top of Oakfield Road, down Oakfield Road to Cavendish Road. Length 370 metres (400 yards).
Bridleway 31 (BR 31) “Kangle Wood” This bridleway runs from Greensward Lane beside the doctors surgery, along a green lane once called Blind Lane, it twists and turns, then it meets the end of White Hart Lane. The bridleway turns south into White Hart Lane beside Kangle Wood and runs along that track. The end of Bridleway 31 is where it passes the stile into Footpath 7 and the path becomes Bridleway 42 in Hawkwell and continues beside our Parish boundary for another 70 metres past the steps and path into Chestnut Close until it meets Magnolia Road - Byway 39 on the left. BR 31 Length 740 metres (809 yards).
Bridleway 34 (BR 34) “Albert Road” This bridleway runs from Rectory Avenue to the top of Albert Road, a length of 40 metres (43 yards). The old Footpath 7 which is in Hawkwell Parish, runs right beside BR 34 for the first 25 metres (27 yards).
FOOTPATHS IN OTHER PARISHES LINKING WITH OURS :
IN CANEWDON
Footpath 22, the continuation of the riverside path (Footpath 12) along the River Crouch to Upper Raypits, Lion Wharf and Wallasea Island. Length 7.40 kilometres (4.60 miles) to Wallasea Island.
Footpath 5, the footpath starting 36 metres (39 yards) from the Ashingdon boundary along from Footpath 12 beside The River Crouch. Canewdon's Footpath 5 goes south via Scaldhurst Farm then down Pudsey Hall Lane to Lark Hill Road. Length 2.45 kilometres (1.50 miles).
IN HAWKWELL
Footpath 7, the original southerly route between Lincoln Road and Durham Road. It runs about 10 metres parallel and south of Footpath 2 (FP 7). Length 200 metres (217 yards).
Footpath 7, the part of the old path in Hawkwell Parish which runs right beside the parish boundary and beside BR 34 in Ashingdon Parish from Rectory Avenue to the western boundary of No. 55 Albert Road. It runs beside BR 34 for the first 25 metres (27 yards).
Footpath 7, the new part of it along the western boundary of No. 53 Albert Road, between No. 53 in Hawkwell Parish and No. 55 in Ashingdon Parish. This path runs along and forms the parish boundary for the first 15 metres from Albert Road, half in each parish.
Footpath 26, runs south from Footpath 2 (Footpath 7) to Lincoln Road. Length 90 metres (97 yards). The first 2 metres are in Ashingdon Parish.
Bridleway 35, continues from our Bridleway 20 southwards through the Magnolia Park to meet Magnolia Road. Length 970 metres (1061 yards).
Bridleway 42, is a new bridleway along White Hart Lane which replaces a small part of Footpath 7. It runs just inside Hawkwell Parish beside our Parish boundary from beside the stile at the southwest end of Footpath 7 and continues until it meets Magnolia Road. Length 70 metres (77 yards).
IN HOCKLEY
Footpath 16, leads from our Footpath 1 just south from Cheltenham Road. FP 1 heads north from there inside Ashingdon, but it also continues south from there towards Greensward Lane in Hockley Parish. The first 50 metres (55 yards) going south from Cheltenham Road is in Ashingdon Parish. The remaining 175 metres (191 yards) down to where it reaches Greensward Lane beside Greensward College is FP 16 in Hockley Parish.
Footpath 35, from White Hart Lane into Broad Walk, is just inside Hockley, 1 metre from and parallel with our parish boundary. It connects two parts of our Parish. Length 45 metres (49 yards).
IN HULLBRIDGE
Footpath 8, in Hullbridge continues west from Footpath 12 over Beckney Brook and south over Brandy Hole Creek to The Dome and beyond, then south to Hockley, or west alongside the River Crouch to Hullbridge. This path has been breached since the first edition of the Definitive Map and hence cannot be used presently. Length 2.35 kilometres (1.46 miles) to The Dome.
