Footpaths

Been for a walk lately? – How about a stroll through the ages along the Centenary Walk or celebrate with Royalty on the Jubilee Walk! You might just be surprised at the number of attractive walks that are situated in the Hockley parish and now you will be able to easily identify them!

Within the parish of Hockley there are 21 footpaths recorded on the definitive map ranging from 28 metres to just under 2 kms in distance. It is possible to traverse the whole of the parish north to south and east to west by the use of these footpaths although it is necessary to occasionally use a few metres of public road, open space or permissive paths to complete either of these routes.

Whilst South East Essex with its marshes and undulating countryside is not noted for dramatic or picturesque scenery, Hockley is an exception. Although a typical village green is not available, there is an ancient parish church to admire and there are a number of extremely pretty and sheltered views of the River Crouch and the Crouch Valley from the several hills in the parish. These views are better appreciated when using one of the local footpaths and it is hard to imagine a more idyllic setting than early on a sunny spring Sunday morning, going for a walk and discovering little known paths through bluebell woods. Perhaps even admiring the ancient parish church through trees in the near distance and maybe listening to the sounds of the countryside, much as our predecessors did many years ago – who needs Wordsworth!

Like the majority of the parish councils in Essex, Hockley is a member of the Parish Paths Partnership Scheme, which is an initiative introduced by Essex County Council in conjunction with The Countryside Agency to assist parish councils to maintain, develop and promote their local footpath network.

One of the first projects undertaken after joining this scheme was the “Centenary Walk” in conjunction with Hullbridge Parish Council. The walk was to celebrate the Centenary of the transfer in 1894 of the civil administration from the Church to the Parish and the route encompasses both parishes. The route runs from beside the River Crouch at the Anchor Inn across to Hockley Parish Church, on towards Plumberow Mount and then heads back towards the river, finishing at Hockley Marshes. The route uses footpaths in both parishes and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

The Parish Council celebrated another important occasion, the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, by way of a local walk using a number of the parish footpaths to produce a circular route and was opened in May 2002. The “Jubilee Walk”, approximately 4miles in length, just over 7 kms, is centred on Hockley Woods and the Parish Church of SS Peter & Paul. Comfortably walked, it should take about 2½ hours to complete.

In conjunction with the village centre enhancements it was decided to provide some form of visual display that would assist residents and visitors to more fully enjoy the local countryside. Thus in 2003 a new addition to the village centre appeared in the form of a permanent sign and map showing all the parish footpaths. The sign is situated on the corner of Woodlands Road and Main Road adjacent to the parish sign, fitting very neatly between the Silver Birch trees and Jubilee seat. Footpath Map

In connection with the sign, a descriptive and colourful leaflet replicating the map is available detailing all the parish footpaths. Copies of this leaflet and separate leaflets for the Centenary & Jubilee Walks are available from the Parish Library and the Parish Clerks office, situated behind the Parish Hall in Southend Road, opposite the Library. Leaflets covering walks in Hockley Woods and other nearby areas are also available – all leaflets are free.

Whilst all members of the public are encouraged to use the local footpaths, the routes are over existing paths and some parts can be a difficult to negotiate. Very muddy and rutted paths, tree roots, steeply sloping paths and stiles when crossing the railway are likely to pose problems for the less able. However most of these areas can be bypassed by use of nearby alternative routes and it is hoped that challenged users will not be deterred from enjoying these particular walks.

The parish council has spent a lot of time over the last few years improving the local footpaths and it is hoped that local residents and visitors will gain as much pleasure in using them, as do the councillors in maintaining them. Maintenance is both continual and costly and volunteers are always welcome especially on wet, cold Sunday afternoons in late November! However, it is rarely that bad, usually sunnier more often than not, with the work and pace being gentle and rewarding. If you are interested in helping to improve your parish footpaths, please contact Cllr Brian Hazlewood on 01702 201786.

For further information please telephone: - The Parish Clerk – 01702 207707

Footpath 2 (862 metres) (Jubilee Walk)

Probably the prettiest route in the parish. Starts very adjacent to the water trough at the junction of High Road and Fountain Lane and runs northwards to the railway thereafter joining up with FP1 Hullbridge.

Footpath 3 (242 metres) (Jubilee Walk)

Runs from the High Road southwards along Bullwood Hall Lane towards the women's prison until joining FP49 Rayleigh; follow this path to Hockley Woods - good views and some old houses to admire.

Footpath 4 (121 metres)

Short path between Hawthorne Gardens and Folly Lane linked to FP37.

Footpath 5 (1733 metres) (Centenary Walk/ Jubilee Walk)

Attractive route through Blounts Farm (do not be deterred by the ‘Private Property' sign at the entrance- the owners are very amenable). The path runs north westerly through the farm, across the railway and thereafter northwards to Lower Road, passing FP's 26 & 7 and is the parish boundary with Hullbridge.

Footpath 7 (665 metres) (Centenary Walk)

Runs eastwards from FP5 meeting with FP26 and then south easterly across the fields, over the stiles (mind the horses and please close the gates) joining Church Road adjacent to the Parish Church. An opportunity to visit the church which shouldn't be missed.

Footpath 10 (945 metres) (Centenary Walk/ Jubilee Walk)

A pleasant walk from Folly Lane northwards along Folly Chase, through the shaded path to the Parish Church, and en route crossing the railway via the recently rebuilt ‘British Railways' footbridge, and passing FP's 11, 22, 33 & 31 .

Footpath 11 (832 metres) (Jubilee Walk)

An attractive walk covering the essentials of earlier and quieter times being a route between two small bluebell woods, a church and a public house. The path runs from the Bull PH on Main Road northwards to the parish church via Folly Wood and crossfield where it joins with FP10 .

Footpath 12 (1053 metres) (Centenary Walk)

This route runs westwards from FP13 crossfield, providing some attractive views from the railway to the River Crouch. The path winds through two ancient woods, Crabtree and Hockley hall, eventually finishing at the junction with FP's 22 & 33 , very adjacent to the church and where again there are more panoramic views to the river.

Hockley Parish Council have recently (Autumn 2010) replaced the footbridge on FP12 (shown in photo above).

Footpath 13 (1929 metres) (Centenary Walk)

Runs northwards from Spa Road in the village shopping centre, across the railway, through Marylands Wood and on to the headland path along the western boundary of the Marylands Nature Reserve - do find time to walk around the park. The path continues northwards passing the junction with FP12 and taking you near to Plumberow Mount and Plumberow Wood. This part of the route may be diverted in the near future to pass somewhat closer to Plumberow Mount and Woods but any change will be clearly indicated. Continue along the path until it finishes at the busy Lower Hockley Road.

Footpath 14 (577 metres)

A leafy route from the entrance to Hockley Woods and following a south easterly direction around the perimeter of Great Bull Wood - part of Hockley Woods - and finishing in Woodlands Road. The route was probably an extension of FP11 joining with FP15 at the eastern parish boundary before the building development in nearby Woodpond Avenue.

Footpath 15 (274 metres)

Another short pathway southwards from opposite the Spa Hotel through the car park to Kilnwood Avenue. Before the development of Hockley village centre this path was probably an extension of FP13 and continued southwards through Hawkwell and eventually to Southend.

Footpath 16 (210 metres)

Short pathway running northwards from Greensward Lane beside the secondary school where it joins with FP1 Ashingdon and continues gradually uphill, finishing in Beckney Wood.

Footpath 22 (718 metres)

The path runs eastwards from Church Road along the drive to Madingley Lodge and Vicarage Farm swinging to the south and passing FP's 23, 12 and 33 and meeting FP10 just before the railway.

Footpath 23 (371 metres)

One of the older paths in the parish, running from the Church past FP31, through the graveyard, crossfield to the Old Vicarage, where it joins with FP22.

Footpath 26 (234 metres) (Centenary Walk)

A short path running between Blountswood Lane FP5 - the western parish boundary - and FP7.

Footpath 31 (46 metres)

A short path through the parish churchyard, linking FP's 10 and 23 .

Footpath 33 (134 metres) (Centenary Walk)

Short but scenic path, south of the parish church linking FP's 10 and 22. Admire the great oak, over 250 years old!

Footpath 34 (28 metres)

Shortest parish path runs between High Road and Woodside Close.

Footpath 35 (64 metres)

Links eastern end of Broad Walk with the unmade part of White Hart Lane.

Footpath 37 (90 metres)

Path runs northwards from High Road to Hawthorne Gardens, linked to FP4 .

Footpath 38 (77 metres)

Runs behind the properties on the south of Station Road in a south easterly direction between Spa Road and Great Eastern Road.