Ingatestone Walk

Ingatestone is an attractive village much sought after as a residence by locals and commuters alike. since the 1500s it has been the home of the Petre family. The first Lord Petre was a faithful follower of Henry VII and a line of succession has continued to the present day.

Details of Walk

• Date of Walk: 03/04/2011

• Distance: 6.04 Miles

• Level of Difficulty: A Easy Walk

• Car Park: New Road Car Park CM4 4OH

• Refreshments: The Red Lion,The Star or The Bell Red Lion

• Photos Taken on Walk

The church dates back from the 15th century and under the chancel and the chapel he built, Sir William Petre lies on his tomb with his wife, looking up at the coat of arms suspended above him. The Petres' home, Ingatestone Hall with its many delightful stepped gables, has a pleasant look of Elizabethan days about it. Well let's get on with the walk today was Mothers day or Mothering Sunday like Mum used to like it called, We suggested to the family if they would like to join us on this walk and have lunch afterwards, they were all up for it. We all met at the sports ground in Ingatestone and we were just about to set of when I asked Christine if she had the book on the walk with the map and directions in it, believe it or not but she had left it on the table but as usual I got the blame for leaving it.I said do not worry I had had a look at the map in the book and I reckoned I would remember the walk.

We set off down the road and then under the A12 through a tunnel which looked like just a over large concrete pipe. It was a lovely sunny day we managed to work our way round and back to the A12 which we had to go under again which brings you out at the Red Lion where not like good ramblers Tracey & Nic had to use the pubs conveniences and not behind the bushes like you do. From here the footpath we went on was the footpath we should have gone on if we had not gone wrong from Margaretting church to the Red Lion which was part of the Margaretting Tye walk we done in October 2009 with Tracey.We came upon a couple of walkers heading our way caring a book thinking it may be the same book we had (or should have had ) which we could have checked if we were on the right route, unfortunately it was the first book we had and the walk they were doing was the Margaretting Tye.

From Margaretting church we went past a reservoir and the followed the river Wid and eventually coming to Buttsbury church. We then headed towards Ingatestone hall at this time the clock was ticking as we had booked a table for 1.30pm - 02.00pm and we still had quite away to go and it was about 01.15pm so we had to up the pace you come into the village by the Ingatestone church after going under the main railway line but we did manage to get to the pub called The Bell about 1.45pm. We were all ready for our meal and seeing that we were all hungry it seemed ages waiting for it but it was well worth waiting for.