THE RODINGS CHALLENGE WALK (ESSEX) - 25 MILES
ABOUT THE WALK AND MY STORY -
This special quiet and unspoilt area of Essex, through which the infant River Roding flows, is unique. For nowhere else in England can you find a group of villages sharing a common name - Rodings. Originally there were nine, but Morrell Roding soon became absorbed into White Roding. The eight are in walking order - White Roding, Aythorpe Roding, High Roding, Leaden Roding, Margaret Roding, Berners Roding, Beauchamp Roding, and Abbess Roding. In the 6th. century a group of Anglo-Saxons sailed up the Thames and followed the River Roding as far they could navigate. Led by Hroda the Hrodingas settled in the area. This small cluster of villages were recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) and known as the Rodinges. Later they became known as The Roothings and both names can be seen on the road signs and OS. maps today. Most villages have a Norman church as you will see. Daniel Defoe described the Rodings as, ‘famous for Good Land, Good Malt, and Dirty Roads’.
Whilst I have walked most of Essex - the coast, the Essex Way and St.Peter’s Way, apart from walking across the River Roding near Fyfield and Lambourne End, I had somehow missed this secret enclave. It was only recently out cycling in Essex, as the fields were sodden from much rain with muddy paths, that I came to Fyfield again and saw the flowing River Roding. That sparked my interest and I decided to explore the area on foot, resulting in this delightful day or two day challenge walk. Another book deals with walking the River Roding, as close as possible, from its source at Molehill Green to Barking Creek and the River Thames. There are other links of Barking Abbey and Abbess Roding and I often cycle from Waltham Abbey to Barking Abbey - 22 miles. Both dismantled by Henry 8th. but it was good to discover that Abbess Roding, which was owned by the Abbess of Barking Abbey before the dissolution, that part of the wooden medieval screen was saved and is now aptly in Abbess Roding church.
Not being summer time and short daylight hours, I had to settle to do the walk over two days using the bus No. 59 (Harlow to Chelmsford) that traverses the Rodings between White Roding and Leaden Roding. It neatly cuts the area in half, making each half 12/13 miles long. The area is well traversed by footpaths which are basically well maintained with many path posts and small wooden bridges. Over the two days I saw no other walkers, just a vicar and a farmer and no dog walkers! The area is largely flat with extensive views and you come to a Roding almost every 3 miles! Some have many thatched cottages and others just a handful of buildings. The churches are usually in a solitary location, perhaps because of the Black Death?
Each Roding is a surprise - the Norman church; one deconsecrated, another with much Norman work including doorways and tympanum. All in solitary positions and usually open. To link the route together I included Great Canfield, for it has two treasures. The church has a rare medieval painting, Norman work and a VC plaque from the Boer War. Almost next door is a large Motte & Bailey castle mound. There are two windmills. Aythorpe Windmill is the last post mill in Essex and beautifully restored and open to the public. White Roding windmill is a five storey building, private with no sails. It was once owned by the actor, Michael Redgrave.
There are few facilities as you walk round, so be self contained and carry all you need for the day. There are shops in White Roding, and Leaden Roding. When the Aythorpe Roding windmill is open there is a cafe in the Village Hall, which you pass. Bretts retail shopping centre, just outside White Roding, has a cafe/restaurant and food shops. There are three inns - The Black Horse, White Roding; The Black Lion in High Roding, which your pass. 1/2 mile off the route in Aythorpe Roding is the Axe & Compass.
Enjoy your exploration of this unique area, along well defined level paths with wide open views.
May I wish you - Happy walking! John N. Merrill
A5. Placed in a plastic wrap around cover and signed by John Merrill
Special embroidered badge and signed certificate from John Merrill.
Names added to my Walkers Roll of Honour Page,