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Stansted Mountfitchet Walks

2.5 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This interesting Essex based village includes an historic castle, a church dating from the 12th-13th century, and a pleasant local nature reserve for easy walks. There's also an 18th century windmill and a toy museum which claims to be the largest in the world.
This walk from the town visits Mountfitchet Castle before heading to the Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve and Alsa Wood. The walk starts from the historic castle which dates back to the Norman period. Today it is run as Living History musuem where you can experience life as it was in 1066.
From here you can pick up public footpaths heading north east through the fields to the Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve. Here you will find woodlands, ponds and species rich grasslands. The site is run by Essex Wildlife Trust and is great for interesting flora and fauna. Look out for Common Spotted Orchids, nutatch and all three species of woodpecker. There's also lots of dragonflies to see around the pretty ponds.
From here you can proceed north east and visit Alsa Wood before returning to the town centre on alternative paths.
To continue your walking in the area head south to experience the peaceful woodland trails and wildlife in Birchanger Wood.

Postcode

CM24 8SP - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Stansted Mountfitchet OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Stansted Mountfitchet Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Stansted Mountfitchet

  • Harcamlow Way - This long distance walk takes you to some of the most beautiful countryside, interesting historical sites and delightful country parks in the counties of Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.
    The route is a figure-of-eight, starting in Harlow and first heading to Saffron Walden where you will pass the splendid Jacobean mansion and gardens at Audley End
  • Bishop's Stortford Canal and River Walk - Follow the River Stort Navigation canal from Bishop's Stortford to Hoddesdon, on this delightful waterside walk through Hertfordshire
  • Hertfordshire Way - Explore some of the finest countryside and prettiest towns and villages in this fascinating county
  • Lea Valley Walk - A super walk with a series of delightful waterside sections along the River Lea
  • Harlow - Harlow is located in West Essex in a nice spot in the River Stort Valley
  • Rye Meads - This RSPB bird reserve in Hoddesdon has some nice nature trails to try.
  • Birchanger Wood - This short circular walk visits Birchanger Wood from the village of Birchanger near Bishop's Stortford.
  • Hatfield Forest - Enjoy a cycle or walk around this ancient royal hunting forest in Bishop's Stortford, Essex
  • Clavering - This circular walk explores the countryside to the north of the Essex village of Clavering
  • Sawbridgeworth - This Hertfordshire based town is located near Bishop's Stortford and Harlow close to the border with Essex
  • Newport Essex - This historic Essex based village includes a train station and some fine Tudor timber framed buildings

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the north west of the town you can pick up the Harcamlow Way in Manuden. The trail could be followed towards Bishop's Stortford or north to Newport.

Photos

Mountfitchet Castle - geograph.org.uk - 904600

Mountfitchet Castle. Run as a commercial venture which includes the biggest toy museum in the world.

Mountfitchet Castle Bailey - geograph.org.uk - 188995

Mountfitchet Castle Bailey. Marvellous educational resource and family day out

Lower Street - geograph.org.uk - 904633

Lower Street. In 2013 Stansted Mountfitchet was named as the UK's fourth most internet-friendly town. The Google eTown Awards recognise the top places where businesses are most actively embracing the web and Stansted's high ranking reflects the increased use of the internet to spur economic growth

'Dog and Duck', Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex - geograph.org.uk - 141410

'Dog and Duck', Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex

Fields at High Lane - geograph.org.uk - 976612

Fields at High Lane

A Buxton Pond - geograph.org.uk - 1311322

A Buxton Pond

Aubrey Buxton - geograph.org.uk - 1307859

Aubrey Buxton. The Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve is named after the late Lord Buxton. Aubrey & Mary Buxton had managed the land for wildlife and set it up as the Stansted Wildlife Park. In 1976 the reserve was donated to the Essex Wildlife Trust

Transmitter in Alsa Wood - geograph.org.uk - 2722473

Transmitter in Alsa Wood

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Stansted Mountfitchet.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)