GUIDED WALKS

by

STEPASIDE

Roaming

Rogues and Romance

in the Colchester Area

Further Information from

astepaside@gmail.com

13 Old School Lane,

Elmstead,

CO7 7AH

Saints and Sinners:

A medieval tour of Colchester

Colchester is a town probably most famous for its Roman history and remains, yet its medieval history is equally as fascinating. This tour will take in many aspects of medieval Colchester. It will involve looking at the medieval churches, houses and streets of Colchester. The tour will put all of these in context with life in the medieval town including markets, government, inns, castles, abbeys and battles. Saints and Sinners will bring to life the day to day existence and the history of this ancient town.

Length of tour:

Approximately 5 Hours including stops.

Walking distance:

About 5 miles all within the town. The tour will start at 11am

outside Igigis in Eld Lane, Colchester.

Places visited:

Celtic Colchester Forts and Trackways Before the Romans came to Britain, this island was inhabited by Celtic tribes. So called 'barbarous' by the Romans they were in fact a very highly developed civilisation that at their peak dominated Europe from the Atlantic to the Black sea. A loose confederation of tribes rather than an autocratic empire, they developed a sophisticated culture celebrated in art, poetry, philosophy and military prowess. The Trinovantes were the Celtic tribe that built the first settlement in Colchester. The importance of Colchester in those times is shown by the royal mints that produced some of the largest amounts of gold coins in Britain and by the sheer size of the settlement. Surrounded by great earthen dykes, the Oppida (settlement) of Camulodunum (The stronghold of the war god Camulos) was one of the greatest in all Britain. Running for nine miles the triple dykes of Colchester encircled an area roughly corresponding to the borough today. This tour will look at the heritage of the Celts in Colchester. We will follow the old earthen ramparts that still run today through parts of the town and surrounding countryside. The tour will follow the dykes from the edge of town and through unspoilt countryside to the Roman river. Near the river we will have a picnic in the ancient forest of Chest Woods where there will be Celtic stories, history and even Celtic delicacies to be tried. The tour will continue through old lanes to the site of a Celtic temple and theatre at Gosbecks archaeological park, before returning back to the minibus again   Length of tour: Approximately 4 hours. The tour will start at 12 o'clock outside Igigi's in Eld lane, Colchester We will take a minibus from there to the beginning of the walk. We will walk in a full circle and take the minibus back to the meeting point.   Walking distance: About 5 miles through footpaths, fields and woods. Good footwear is essential as is wet weather gear. We will hold a picnic so please bring packed lunch, snacks. and drinks.   Places visited: Stanway Green - An old village green surrounded by cottages Camulodunum Dyke - Probably the best preserved of the Dykes running through open countryside Roman River - Beautiful unspoilt river running through woodlands. Chest Wood - Ancient woodland Olivers Lane - An old country land with old hedgerows Gosbecks Park - Site of Celtic temple and theatre Grymes Dyke - Ancient Dyke running through Stanway

A walk along the Colne Wivenhoe and Alresford The river Colne has been the life blood for the people of this part of Essex for thousands of years. Along its valley can be found Saxon churches, ancient houses and the sites of Roman Villas. The Colne estuary is also a site of international importance for the wildlife that lives and breeds here. The mosaic of habitats in the estuary include salt marshes, ancient woodlands and meadows. The tour will start in the historic fishing village of Wivenhoe and explore the old town before setting off along the river. The estuary is rich in birdlife and many types of sea birds make their home here, as well as more exotic migrants passing through. There is even a chance to see some seals. The walk continues through old lanes and hedgerows, past Oak trees blasted hollow by lightning to the Saxon church at Alresford. The ruined church is a very powerful and evocative place with a curious graveyard. We will stop at the old Pointer pub in Alresford before continuing to Cocaynes wood, once hunted in by Henry VIII. The tour will finish back in Wivenhoe by the Rose and Crown pub for a drink by the river.   Length of tour: About 6 hours including stops. The tour will start at 12 o'clock outside Igigi's in Eld lane, Colchester. We will take a minibus from there to the beginning of the walk. We will walk in a full circle and take the minibus back to the meeting point.   Walking distance: Approximately 8 miles through river paths, fields, woodlands and roads. Good footwear is essential as is wet weather gear. A pair of binoculars will aid appreciation of the bird life on the estuary.   Places visited: Wivenhoe Woods - Ancient woodland next to the town park. Old Wivenhoe town - Crooked alleyways and old buildings give old smuggling atmosphere Salt marshes - These are a haunt of wildlife along the river Blasted Oak - A venerable old Oak made completely hollow by lightning Ruins of Alresford Church - A ruined Saxon church Historic Pointer pub Cocaynes Wood Rose and Crown pub in Wivenhoe

Bradfield Woods This tour will be led by Neil the Saxon woodcutter, through ancient Bradfield Woods. Bradfield Woods has been continuously worked, since the Saxon times and is a real step back in time to an ancient but lived in landscape. The tour will take in the old village of Woolpit including the site of the medieval story of the 'Green Children' and the holy Lady's well. Neil will meet the group at the woods carpark and then take them around the woods. The tour will involve practical demonstrations of ancient woodland crafts and skills such as the use of pole lathes and hurdle making. There will be a fire, a picnic and some music. Eastlow hill is the most impressive and mysterious Bronze Age Barrow mound in East Anglia, partially hidden by old trees but very big. From there it is a few minutes to get back on the A14.   Length of Tour: About 8 hours including stops. The tour will start at 9 am outside Igigi's in Eld lane, Colchester. We will take a minibus from there to Woolpit, Bradfield woods and Eastlow hill.   Walking Distance: Approximately 5 miles, the woods can get quite muddy after rain so bring good footwear and wet weather gear.   Places Visited: Woolpit museum Lady's Well Site of the story of Green Children Bradfield Woods - Tour, craft demonstration, music and fire Pub at Bradfield St.George Eastlow Hill

what grisly remains lie buried in this Suffolk Church

trawling for witches in Essex

Cheryl Aradia and Jan Robinson (dark hair)

with main guide

Chris Etheridge

August 21st

Medieval tour of Colchester taking in any aspects of medieval life in the town...looking at churches, houses and streets. The tour will put all these in context with life in the medieval town including markets, inns, castles, abbeys and battles. Titled 'Saints and Sinners', this tour will bring to life the day to day existence and history of this ancient town.

August 28th

Discover the Witchfinder General - guided tour of Manningtree and Mistley Matthew Hopkins the self-styled Witchfinder General was one of East Anglia's most notorious historical characters. The walk will follow his career, from the inns where he lodged and tortured his victims, past the ducking ponds where they were swum and up onto the heath where his ghost is still said to walk. The story will unfold about the evil Matthew Hopkins and the East Anglian Witches.

Both tours are approx 3 hours and cost £10.00 per person.

Booking essential on 07802880907

Further Information from

astepaside@gmail.com

13 Old School Lane,

Elmstead,

CO7 7AH

last updated

210805

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