It's a walk in the park!
The Friends have been planning group walks in the park since FOCOP began in 2010. They have been very successful and we know many of you want to walk more often and would appreciate some guidance.
We want to be able to offer independent walk plans that will take you round the park so why not try these.
We want to be able to offer independent walk plans that will take you round the park so why not try these.
Where to see bluebells. The best time to see bluebells is late April, early May. This map shows where there are plenty to see, smell and photograph. Please bear in mind that Primrose Wood is private but a walk round the perimeter gives beautiful glimpses of bluebells in their natural woodland environment. English bluebells are becoming rare, make the most of them. Those in gardens are the Spanish cultivated bluebell. Cross pollination with the English bluebell means that our native flower is becoming scarce.
How long will it take?
The list below gives approximate timings between main entry points to the park and Hockley Woods, together with other useful timings to other key points. This is based on a typical walking speed of 2 miles an hour. These are approximate times and will vary considerably between walkers and ground conditions etc.
The points relate to the the Bite at the Bull walks. These can be combined to make up a ‘circular tour’ walk spanning the full length of the park. Please bear in mind that, for example, the walk up through the woods from Pooh Sticks Bridge to Gusted Hall lane is not actually in Cherry Orchard Park, but is assumed to be so for the benefit of the walks. This section is known as ‘The Scrubs’
Please respect the fact that you are walking in private farm land at some point in the ‘Bite at the Bull’ walks, and don’t stray from field boundaries or over fences.
Cherry Orchard Way Car Park to Pooh Sticks bridge 45 mins
Cherry Orchard Way Car Park to Gusted Hall Lane 50 mins
Cherry Orchard Way Car Park to the Lake 20 mins
Pooh sticks Bridge to entry to Hockley woods 40 mins
Pooh Sticks Bridge to Gusted Hall 15 mins
Up through the woods to the Bull 20 mins
Western Approaches (Morrisons) to Hockley woods 60 mins
Grove wood car park to woods via fields (dry weather) 40mins
Grove Wood Car Park to woods via Gusted Hall (wet) 75 mins
Grove Wood Car Park to Cherry Orchard Way Car Park
(Full length of the park) 90 mins
Grove Wood Car Park to Pooh Sticks Bridge 20 mins
Edwards Hall Car Park to Hockley woods 50 mins
Edwards Hall car park to Pooh Sticks Bridge 20 mins
Edwards Hall Car Park to Gusted Hall Lane 45 mins
Typical keen walkers circular tour (6-7 miles) with a couple of ‘breathers’ 3 hrs
Please also remember to take some water with you for both you and your dog, and a plastic bag for fido too! On the longer walks a ‘Kit-Kat’ might be welcome too.
The list below gives approximate timings between main entry points to the park and Hockley Woods, together with other useful timings to other key points. This is based on a typical walking speed of 2 miles an hour. These are approximate times and will vary considerably between walkers and ground conditions etc.
The points relate to the the Bite at the Bull walks. These can be combined to make up a ‘circular tour’ walk spanning the full length of the park. Please bear in mind that, for example, the walk up through the woods from Pooh Sticks Bridge to Gusted Hall lane is not actually in Cherry Orchard Park, but is assumed to be so for the benefit of the walks. This section is known as ‘The Scrubs’
Please respect the fact that you are walking in private farm land at some point in the ‘Bite at the Bull’ walks, and don’t stray from field boundaries or over fences.
Cherry Orchard Way Car Park to Pooh Sticks bridge 45 mins
Cherry Orchard Way Car Park to Gusted Hall Lane 50 mins
Cherry Orchard Way Car Park to the Lake 20 mins
Pooh sticks Bridge to entry to Hockley woods 40 mins
Pooh Sticks Bridge to Gusted Hall 15 mins
Up through the woods to the Bull 20 mins
Western Approaches (Morrisons) to Hockley woods 60 mins
Grove wood car park to woods via fields (dry weather) 40mins
Grove Wood Car Park to woods via Gusted Hall (wet) 75 mins
Grove Wood Car Park to Cherry Orchard Way Car Park
(Full length of the park) 90 mins
Grove Wood Car Park to Pooh Sticks Bridge 20 mins
Edwards Hall Car Park to Hockley woods 50 mins
Edwards Hall car park to Pooh Sticks Bridge 20 mins
Edwards Hall Car Park to Gusted Hall Lane 45 mins
Typical keen walkers circular tour (6-7 miles) with a couple of ‘breathers’ 3 hrs
Please also remember to take some water with you for both you and your dog, and a plastic bag for fido too! On the longer walks a ‘Kit-Kat’ might be welcome too.
The "Take-it-Easy Walk". We are often asked why there are not more seats or benches in the park. In fact there are quite a few and on this walk you can take a break at every one. You can download and print this file. The QR code is something else we are trialling. It will take you to the website. Any suggestions for more codes will be appreciated.
How about a bite at the Bull, Hockley. A brisk walk first to work up an appetite would be just the thing. You can follow the route on the "Bite at the Bull Walk" and this first version will take you from the Car Park at Cherry Orchard Way, through the park and up to Hockley Woods, arriving at the Bull for refreshment. Two more versions are in preparation and will take you from Grove Wood Car Park or Edwards Hall Car Park to the Bull.
Many thanks to Chris Taylor for producing these for us.
If you want to go further afield what about a Hockley Woods walk. You can find out more on the Hockley Woods page here: hockleywoods.com/maps-footpaths-walks/