Essex Walks

Lawford Walks & Route Maps

Lawford walk, Essex
Lawford · Photo: Colin Park

Starting from the pretty church in Lawford, these walks combine open countryside with glorious stretches beside the River Stour.

Whether you follow the river towards Manningtree for a pub stop before looping back through farmland, or head west towards Dedham with a detour to the iconic Hay Wain viewpoint, the walks offer big skies, waterside scenery and a wonderfully unhurried feel.

Download the Essex Walks App to follow these routes with real-time GPS navigation.

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Walk information

Lawford Walk 1

Walk distance
4¼ miles
Time
2 hours
Route type
Circular

This is a varied countryside and riverside adventure from the pretty church in Lawford.

If you head clockwise, it takes you north past Manningtree station until it meets the wonderful River Stour.

You'll then enjoy a long sweeping riverside stroll until you get into the town of Manningtree where you'll pass a pub and a supermarket if you need refreshments, before heading back out into the countryside to get back to the church.

Lawford Walk 1 4.0 Ratings and reviews 3 ratings

Based on 3 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.0

A very popular walk

Dog friendly4.0 / 5
Path condition4.3 / 5
Buggy friendly3.3 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.3 / 5
Toilet facilities1.7 / 5
Pub or café1.7 / 5
Route accuracy4.7 / 5
ClimbingSome climbing
LivestockRarely any livestock
StilesA stile or two
Mud levelMostly dry

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Essex Walks app.

Walk information

Lawford Walk 2

Walk distance
6½ miles
Time
3 hours
Route type
Circular

This second alternative walk heads west from the church and this route is a glorious adventure that explores the countryside between Lawford and Dedham.

There's a stretch of walking alongside the River Stour and then a 'there and back' detour that's worth taking as it takes you to the viewpoint from the famous Constable 'Hay Wain' painting.

Train Station:

Manningtree

Lawford Walk 2 3.0 Ratings and reviews 1 rating

Based on 1 user rating

Community feedback

Overall rating3.0

Mixed feedback from walkers

Dog friendly4.0 / 5
Path condition4.0 / 5
Buggy friendly1.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.0 / 5
Toilet facilities3.0 / 5
Pub or café3.0 / 5
Route accuracy1.0 / 5
ClimbingTotally level
LivestockSome livestock
StilesSeveral stiles
Mud levelDry underfoot

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Essex Walks app.

Navigate the walks

Essex Walks App

Follow the Lawford walks with GPS guidance

It's like sat-nav, but for footpaths.

Choose a walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you always know you're on the right path.

The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.

Download the app

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Essex Walks app showing the walker's live position on a route map

Designed to be simple

  • Choose a walk and follow the pointer
  • See your live position on the route map
  • Works without a phone signal
  • Includes 250+ Essex walks
  • Free one-month trial
  • Available for iPhone and Android

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Expanded route map for Lawford Walk 1, a 4.25 mile circular walk in Essex