1 | From the car park take Footpath 40 at the back of the recreation ground. Turn left at the back of the allotments, then right across the stile.
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2 | On the right is a cleared woodland with only standards (trees with one trunk) remaining.
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3 | Across the bridge turn left into Oak Road
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4 | Just after Oak Avenue (which is on the left) take a right-hand turn along Oak Lane.
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5 | Turn left into Footpath 78. Here, to your left, are good views through to Nuttons Wood
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6 | Cross the stile and head towards the farm buildings at Great Wasketts.
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7 | At this point you may decide to take the shorter route. If you’re feeling energetic then continue to Point 8. If not, continue from Point A to Point E on the map heading North along Gardiner’s Lane North
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8 | Cross the road and take the track past Woodland Nursery. Cross the stile and cross the field diagonally
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9 | Look at the view to your left up to the higher ground at Crays Hill. On your way, to the right, you’ll see many cornfield weeds - for example groundsel (the name comes from the old English Ground Swallower), scarlet pimpernel and shepherds purse.
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10 | Cross the stile and turn left, then right along the southern edge of Noak Wood, a private, ancient woodland with ash, oak, field maple and wild service.
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11 | Cross another stile. The field to the right is the venue for regular boot fairs.
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12 | Turn left and head through the field along Footpath 84. Note distant views across farmland.
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13 | Cross the stile and bridge, turn left into Borwick Lane. Here an ancient hedgerow encloses the lane with several species of shrub, including rare wild service trees.
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14 | Look for a waymarker pointing west along Footpath 82
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15 | Now look for footbridge which crosses the ditch and go north to field boundary.
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16 | Keeping the field boundary to your right, continue along Footpath 82 for about a quarter-of-a-mile. There are extensive views to the south and across Basildon.
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17 | Take a short right turn, then left across the bridge.
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18 | Keep along the field boundary and down to Gardiners Lane North. Turn right.
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19 | The odd looking dead elm on your right was a victim of Dutch Elm disease.
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20 | Cross the stile and head along Footpath 70. Cross another stile into cultivated garden areas. Turn right out of the gate and immediately left along the footpath.
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21 | A sharp right turn now takes you into London Road, Crays Hill and onto footpath 67
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22 | Cross the stile and turn left along the field boundary at rear of properties in Crays Hill.
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23 | There are good views here from Crays Hill over farmland to the north. Open fields with hedges are a likely place to spot pheasants.
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24 | Cross the bridge and stile and turn across the field heading towards the back of houses.
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25 | Cross the stile and walk between the houses back on the London Road. To the left along the main road are shops and a pub if you feel in need of refreshment.
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26 | Continue down London Road and return to Crays Hill Recreation Ground car park. |