Nice nature/walks in Essex / East Anglia ?

[Medic-one]

My mum (56) and her man are coming over to England (from Holland) by the end of the month, and apart from staying with us they also want to see some nice country side and do loads of walking (which they enjoy).

They asked me for advice but i can only go by what i've seen myself, which is Cornwall/Dorset so i suggested that, and they've booked a week in Dorset to enjoy some of the country side down there.

They're flying from Southend airport (which is great, as that's a 10 minute journey from our house, and saves us going to London to collect them) and after staying here for the weekend they've got another 6 days to stay somewhere before they fly back, so they said they want to know where would be nice to go walking (nice nature/scenery) but max. 1.5 - 2 hours by car (they're hireing one) away from here.

I know north Essex is more rural, but i wouldn't know what/where to advise them. Is there anything nice up north (i can feel some jokes coming there), or maybe in the rest of East Anglia/Beds&herds area somewhere ? Tips on nice B&B's in those area's are welcome too.

Cheers chaps.

[vixen1700]

My area is pretty nice. Saffron Walden and the surrounding villages like Widdington, Quendon, Clavering etc.
Also Saffron Walden is a nice lttle town to walk round with antiques shops etc and The Bridge End Gardens which is lovely.



Also nearby is Audley End House which is nice to walk round and has some lovely gardens.

[V10Mike]

There's some good National Trust properties with large estates within reach -try Ickworth, Wimpole, Anglesey Abbey, nice coastal walks at Aldeburgh and Southwold.

[Medic-one]

Cheers guys. They love stuff like that Audley End House and castle's etc so that looks good.

[StevieBee]

There's some good resources, walks and itineraries here: http://www.visitessex.com/downloads/

Dedham Vale is wonderful, as Heddingham Castle and surrounding area. Danbury Common, Paper Mill Lock at Little Baddow (you can walk from there along the Chelmer out to Maldon and Heybridge Basin.

[Jaguar steve]

Essex Way along the south bank of the river Stour, Manningtree town, previously mentioned Dedham Vale - in fact most of the Essex/Suffolk border, Pretty much all of Suffolk especially the coast, fish and chips at Aldebrough, river Orwell - walk from The Royal Harwich Yacht Club to Pin Mill and have a pint at the Butt and Oyster. Walks on the river Deben, Woodbridge town

[DeadMeat_UK]

vixen1700 said:

My area is pretty nice. Saffron Walden and the surrounding villages like Widdington, Quendon, Clavering etc.
Also Saffron Walden is a nice lttle town to walk round with antiques shops etc and The Bridge End Gardens which is lovely.



Also nearby is Audley End House which is nice to walk round and has some lovely gardens.

I've just moved to this area and definitely agree on this one.

[vixen1700]

DeadMeat_UK said:

I've just moved to this area and definitely agree on this one.

Congratulations, whereabouts?