Walk 55 -- Abridge -- 2.6 miles

A chance to take a short walk and view some of this year's crop of bluebells in beautiful surroundings

The really observant among you will notice that this week's walk was published as Walk 30 last year. At that time, to avoid crossing a field, I used some permissive paths. As the name suggests, 'permissive' paths depend on having permission granted by the landowner.

Shortly prior to the publication of the walk, the permission for these paths was withdrawn. I've adjusted the walk and map accordingly, and it's shorter than usual as a result. The idea is that you will have more time to explore Ape's Grove a delightful little wood administered by Essex County Council.

It's far enough away from roads to escape vandalism and mountain bikes, and there are relatively few people around on most days.

The real bonus, however, is that if you go on the walk over the next fortnight or so you should have the treat of seeing masses of bluebells in bloom. These carpets of flower are one of the most reassuring signs of the end of winter.

StageOne: Walk up New Farm Lane. Just past the rather splendid farm house, climb a stile on your L and go diagonally R across and down a field to the far corner, where you cross a bridge.

Now continue in the same direction up hill to a stile to join a woodland path. Here you should get your first sighting of bluebells.

On reaching a waymarker, cross a stile on your L and go R along the field edge following a white-painted fence bordering an attractive garden until you reach a kissing-gate and emerge on a lane.

StageTwo 0.6 mile/1km: Turn L and walk along between Lambourne Hall on the L and the beautiful church on R. Where the lane turns sharp L, go straight on into a field past a metal gate to aim for the L edge of a wood ahead.

On reaching the wood, take a sharp L across the field to a waymarker post by a pond surrounded by a clump of trees in the centre of the field. At the waymarker turn R across the field again, going about 10m to the R of an isolated tree, to reach a waymarker in the far hedge. Go R at the hedge until you reach a bridge on the L.

StageThree 1.3 miles/2km: Cross the bridge and then a field to go past a metal gate into Patch Park. Walk forward between buildings and along a line of trees on your L until you reach a cross-track with a finger post. Turn L along the track to go over a stile into a path beside a house to cross a lane.

StageFour 1.8 miles/2.9km: Go forward on a wide track for mile until you reach a waymarker where you turn R into Ape's Grove and quickly L along a woodland path.

It is here that you are likely to discover the best displays of bluebells.

Cross a bridge over a stream and, at the end of the wood, turn R still in the wood. Eventually you will come to a bridge on your L, by which you will leave the wood. (If you wish, you can continue on the path to make a complete circuit of the wood to arrive once again at this place. This will add about half a mile to your walk.)

StageFive 2.3 miles/3.7km: Walk straight across the field, over a bridge and go along a fenced path to return to your starting point.

Walkers Notebook

Starting Point/Parking: Find New Farm Lane which is a turning off the Ongar Road (A113) on the NE outskirts of Abridge. There is a small parking place about 250m up the lane where it narrows sharply.

Distance: 2.6 miles/4.2km (a little more if you do the circuit of Ape's Grove)

Time: 1.5 hours Terrain: some undulation, the paths can become muddy after heavy rain Stiles: 7 Near: Loughton and Ongar Refreshments: pubs and cafes in Abridge Public toilets: none Public transport: some bus services between Loughton and Ongar Map and grid reference: Explorer 174, 472 967 More Information: West Essex Ramblers: memberships and free programme of walks with leaders: 020 8524 2737 (Redbridge Group: 01708 456 771 and Lea Valley Friends who specialise in walks of 3 to 4 miles: 020 8529 7328).