Tendring CAMRA - RambAle 15 - Manningtree Station to Plough, Great Bentley
The route
Currently this is our longest planned Rambale at almost 11 miles long. Due to the length we start it earlier than usual at Manningtee Station, then head to The Haywain, The Court House, The Kings Arms (Frating) to the Plough to be handy for Great Bentley station for the train home.
Much of the walk is off road, and you should wear boots with ankle support. Some of the routes unfortunately are on main roads (about 1km near the Haywain and the section after leaving the Court House) where walkers should walk in single file on the right of the road and be prepared to step onto the verge if traffic comes. This is also true for some of the other short lane sections where traffic is less likely.
Estimated timings
As for other rambales, estimates are based on 4km/hr rounded up to next 15 minutes, with 1/2 hour stop per pub
Manningtree Station Buffet to the Haywain, 10:30 -> noon
The Haywain to The Court House, 12:30 -> 13:45
The Court House to the Kings Arms, 14:15 -> 14:45
Kings Arms to The Plough, 15:15 -> 16:15
Approximate distances:
- Manningtree Station Buffet to the Haywain, 5.7km (3.5 miles)
- The Haywain to The Court House, 5.1km (3.2 miles)
- The Court House to the Kings Arms, 1.6km (1 mile)
- Kings Arms to The Plough, 3.8km (2.4 miles)
Getting to Manningtree Station
We'd recommend the train, as the walk ends near Great Bentley Station too. When testing this walk we aimed to arrive at Manningtree Station buffet about 10am. Trains leave Great Bentley shortly after 20 past the hour (in both directions).