After indulging in a hearty Christmas feast and New Year indulgences, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing stroll in the countryside. If you’re unsure of where to start your New Year’s stroll, a charming, compact woodland in south Essex is an ideal location for a winter walk this year.
Hockley Woods, spanning approximately 130 hectares and offering several routes up to 5km, is a fantastic spot for dog walking or a family exploration. Access to the woods is via a car park or the adjacent pub, the Bull Inn, which provides a cosy retreat after a brisk December walk. From here, you can follow either the yellow or blue trails, which guide you through the woodland, or simply meander at your own pace.
Benches are conveniently located throughout the area for those needing a breather, and there are plenty of logs and trees for children to play on. However, be prepared for muddy conditions – don’t forget your wellies or wear shoes you don’t mind cleaning afterwards.
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For those with a keen eye, beautiful bird carvings, particularly owls, are scattered around the woods. Hockley Woods also boasts a rich history as the largest remaining part of the wild wood that blanketed Essex following the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.
The woodland is diverse, with oak and sweet chestnut trees, birch, hornbeam, willow, hazel and ash trees all thriving in their preferred soil and conditions.
Hockley Woods have been preserved due to their value as a coppice managed resource. Walk leaflets are available from the Council Offices, indicating two-way marked walks.
The woods are open to the public, with a car park off Main Road (SS5 4RN) that is currently closed for resurfacing but set to reopen in mid-December. The gates to Hockley Woods open at 7am and close at 6.30pm.