Blake's Wood to Lingwood Common walk, Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex
Enjoy the peacefulness and walk with the National Trust, from Blakes Wood to Lingwood Common. On this 100- acre sloping site, look out for horn-beam and sweet chestnut coppice, with oak, ash and birch standards. This is one of three walks linking Blakes Wood with Danbury and Lingwood Commons - links below. Each walk can be undertaken separately or joined with this one for one long walk.
Wildlife and waymarking
Breeding birds here include warblers, nightingale, all three species of woodpecker and tree-creeper (pictured). Butterflies include the purple hairstreak. The trail has recently been improved and is now marked with round National Trust footpath discs attached to wooden posts sited at various points along the route.
Map
Start:
Blakes Wood car park or from Lingwood Common, grid ref: TL775064
1
After coming up from Lingwood Common, starting from the Blakes Wood car park go through the kissing gate Marker Post 1 and turn left. Taking the path immediately to the left (FP43) head downhill until reaching a seat and Marker Post 2.
Views
Blake's Wood has some good views. Here is one on a sunny day in summer, shortly after the start of the trail (direction 1).
2
Ignoring the path to your right, keep to the left-hand path until reaching another marker post, at which point (ignoring the path to your left) bear right. Continue on until reaching Marker Post 3.
3
Ignoring the path to your left bear right until reaching Marker Post 4. Now ignore the path to the right and turn to the left until reaching a footbridge. Over the footbridge the path bears to the left and then further on bears right.
Bluebells
There are carpets of bluebells on the woodland floor in spring, so do come in May to June for a glorious show.
4
Shortly afterwards ignore the path to the right and continue on until reaching a marker post, where you will turn left. You will pass two old pond beds to your left and then the path bears right along the perimeter of Blakes Wood. There are views to the left over pasture, with Chelmsford in the distance. Follow this path which eventually bears to the right until reaching Marker Post 5.
Coppicing
The practice of cutting trees to a cycle is known as coppicing. The 'thin-poled' coppice is often used for firewood and the thicker so-called 'standard' used in the construction industry. For hundreds of years coppicing went on in the same way, producing a woodland habitat that alternated between light and shade, between open and densely bushy vegetation. By continuing to coppice, the National Trust is ensuring the survival of this habitat, and the wildlife that makes its home there.
5
Turn left, then right, and proceed to Marker Post 6 where the path turns to the left.
6
Carry on until reaching another footbridge. Ignoring the path directly to your left continue on until reaching Marker Post 7.
Quietness in Blake's Wood
'Just stand and stare - the cathedral-like atmosphere of this spot (between directions 6 and 7) makes it one of my favourite spots in Blake's Wood'. Michael Graham - Volunteer.
7
You now have two options. Either take the path directly to your left (over footbridge) and continue to Parsonage Lane and Danbury Ridge (On the left is The Generals Arms Public House, which may be open for refreshment), or if continuing with the Blakes Wood trail, continue straight on until reaching a bench Marker 8. Turn right and shortly afterwards there is a branch in the path. Take the right hand branch and continue to Marker Post 9.
8
Make a left turn followed by a right over a footbridge and continue uphill until reaching a bench on your left – take a welcome break.
9
Continue uphill until you reach the kissing gate entrance to the car park - Marker Post 1. If continuing back to Lingwood Common, turn right out of the car park and head for Riffhams Chase to point 10 on the Lingwood trail 150 metres on the left.
End:
Blakes Wood car park or from Lingwood Common, grid ref: TL775064
