Goldhanger Walk

Goldhanger is where we started the walk and it is off the main road from Colchester to Maldon and you would never know it was there unless like us you needed to start your walk from the Chequers.The village played a leading part in the smuggling occupation and the pub was known for a meeting ground for many a deal.

Details of Walk

• Date of Walk: 14/06/2009

• Distance: 6.87 Miles

• Level of Difficulty: A Easy Walk

• Car Park: The Chequers CM9 8AS

• Refreshments: The Chequers, Mill Beach & Coffee Shop.

• Photos taken on walk

Also Osea island was a home for curing alcoholics it is thought that bootleg liquor from the Chequers found its way by rowing boats to the island's patients. The pub was first opened in 1410 as a court house and the it became a coaching inn in 1560. Well this walk had everything countryside, lakes and a sea wall walk on the walk you are near to Rook Hall and on that day they had the grounds open to the Blackwater Country Show they had boats on the lakes and loads of side shows could have stopped but we had to press on, later we found out talking to Beryl & john that they had been there that day.

After leaving the hall you go round the Chigborough Fisheries where they have load of lakes you can walk round. There was a painter painting and showing of his works how relaxing for him just seating by the lake painting. You come out on to the main road where the Mill Beach Pub is right on the sea wall ideal stop for us to have a coffee and look out with views of Heybridge and Northey Island. Then you have you have a lovely walk along the sea wall, you go past the causeway which takes you on to Osea Island the tide was out when we were there. When we got back to the Chequers we had a cup of coffee in the pubs courtyard round the back the pub is quite different inside its made up off a lot of small rooms.