Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

Bourne Mill pub tour

Man drinking beer in a pub — Visit some of Colchester's best-loved pubs | © National Trust Images/John Millar

This circular, 3-mile walk will take you to some of the local area's most celebrated inns. Along the way, you'll discover the pretty Bourne Valley, the historic Cannock Mill, Distillery Pond with its myriad wildlife, and the quaint almshouses of Winsley Square.

Near to

Bourne Mill

Start point

Bourne Mill entrance. Grid ref: TM 00565 23846

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Duration1 hour 15 mins

Dog friendly***

*This route runs along even ground, though it can get muddy in places. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This route is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, except during wet weather. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome on this route, with conditions. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RT
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The nearest stations are Colchester Town (0.7 miles/1.1km away), Hythe (0.80 miles/1.45km away) and Colchester (1.8 miles/2.9km away). From Colchester station, take the 66/66A bus to Old Heath Road. Bourne Mill is a short walk away, on Bourne Road.
By bus
The no. 66 and 66A buses run from Colchester city centre to Old Heath Road. Bourne Mill is a short walk away, on Bourne Road.
Cycling
Cycle routes can be found on the Sustrans website.
Sustrans
By road
The start of this walk is on Bourne Road (off Mersea Road), 1 mile (1.6km) south of Colchester city centre.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this walk, but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Car park
Parking on site is for Blue Badge only due to capacity, but there is parking in the local area.
Toilet
There are toilet facilities at Bourne Mill, and at each pub on the tour.
Shop
A small second-hand book shop at Bourne Mill sells a range of fiction and non-fiction titles.
Pub
Please contact the different pubs on this route to find out about opening times, when food is served, rules around dogs and children, etc.
Total stages: 13
Total stages: 13
Start point
Bourne Mill entrance. Grid ref: TM 00565 23846
Stage 1
Starting at the entrance to Bourne Mill, turn right and look for a footpath that runs between two buildings a short distance away.
Stage 2
Follow this footpath, before veering off to the left on another path. This latter path runs along a boardwalk beside the River Colne.
Stage 3
You're now walking through the Bourne Valley. As you pass the ponds, stop for a few minutes to watch the birdlife.
Stage 4
Continue along the path towards Old Heath Road. As you approach it, you'll notice Cannock Mill on your right. Turn right along the road, then cross over (opposite Cannock Mill House). Follow Distillery Lane, which runs alongside a river.
Cannock Mill
In 1575, the Crown leased Cannock Mill to Edward Lucas, who assigned the lease to Sir Thomas Lucas the following year. Sir Thomas bought the mill soon after taking out a new lease in 1594, and rebuilt it at the turn of the century as an overshot mill with two ponds. Over the next two centuries, it served as a corn mill, as well as a flour and fulling mill. Though the Lucas family sold it in 1917, it remained as a mill until the late 1940s, when it became a gardening store. The building was refurbished in 1973.
Stage 5
Continue until you reach Distillery Pond, another haven for wildlife. Beyond it, you'll find Hull Mill, an old distillery repurposed as attractive living accommodation. Pass in front of the building and follow the path round to the right. After about 55yd (50m), you'll see a yellow fingerpost signalling a footpath that ascends to the left. Follow this.
Stage 6
This is quite a narrow footpath, with a gradual incline. Shortly after passing Grants Meadow Allotments on your right, you'll reach the top. Turn left onto Recreation Road, and follow it until you meet Old Heath Road.
Stage 7
Directly opposite the entrance to Old Heath Road is Winsley Square, a group of almshouses, all of which were 'gifted' (plaques on each house indicate from where). It's well worth taking a few minutes to wander round.
Winsley Square
Established by Winsley's Charity (formed by 18th-century wool and cloth dealer Arthur Winsley in his will), Winsley Square contains almshouses and a chapel. Arthur stipulated that a 'good preacher' should be paid to preach a sermon every New Year, a tradition that continues to this day. There are now 80 almshouses, but originally there were just 12, built for 'twelve ancient men that have lived well and fallen into decay'. The square became Grade II listed in 1950.
Stage 8
When coming back out onto Old Heath Road, turn left and follow the road towards Colchester. After passing a playground and park on your right, continue over the Bourne Road/Wimpole Road crossroads, onto Military Road. Keep going until you reach the Royal Mortar pub.
Stage 9
Continue along Military Road to the British Grenadier pub.
Stage 10
Continue along the road, then turn onto Roberts Road on the left. Take the first footpath on the right, which leads into Parade Square, then head right along Sargeant Street. Follow it all the way to the end, then continue straight ahead along a footpath. When you get to Mersea Road, turn right and walk 110yd (100m) to Lucas Road on the right. At no. 28, you'll find a pub called The Odd One Out.
Stage 11
From The Oddie, turn round and walk back along Mersea Road for 220yd (200m) until you reach Berechurch Road on the right. Follow this road until you reach the junction with Meyrick Crescent. Here, you'll find the next pub on the tour, The Britannia.
Stage 12
With The Britannia on your left, continue along Meyrick Crescent. Turn right, back onto Mersea Road, and you'll find the next pub, The Grapes, at no. 87.
Stage 13
Continue along Mersea Road, passing Bourne Road on the left. Where the road bears to the right, you'll see a gap on the left leading to a footpath. Follow this path, which runs along the south side of Bourne Mill Ponds. Turn left, continuing along the path towards Stalin Road. Follow the road around until you meet a footpath that goes through the Bourne Valley. Head down this footpath until you get back to where you started.
End point
Bourne Mill entrance. Grid ref: TM 00565 23846
Trail map
Map of Bourne Mill pub tour | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience