This walk goes through Chelmer Village to the canal and then takes the towpath back to town.
On leaving Green Close turn right and walk to the corner with Springfield Road.
Cross the road and take the footpath that goes between the houses just to the left. This brings you out by the police control room. Turn right and then immediately left into Kingson Crescent.
When you reach Sandford Road turn left and walk to the end. Cross the Chelmer Road by the traffic lights and take the footpath that leads to the shopping precinct. Walk past the shops to Chelmer Village Way.
Turn left and walk along the road to the first turning on the right, which is some distance away. This is Sandford Mill Road. If you get to ASDA you’ve gone too far.
Cross over Chelmer Village Way and walk down Sandford Mill Road. Take the first road to the right, which is again some distance along. The field should be to your left. (From this point on the route is through mainly open country until you reach the canal basin.)
When you reach the bridge by Sandford Lock, go through the opening to the right down to the canal towpath. Keep walking along the towpath towards Chelmsford. You might like to stop for a while to admire Barnes Mill, which has now been converted into residences, and to stop again shortly afterwards by Barnes Mill Lock.
Continue your journey along the towpath, which will eventually take you under the new road bridge just north of the Army & Navy. Keep walking in the same direction, following the main path. When you reach the bridge over the canal keep to the same side and walk past Lockside Marina. The bridge and the marina are both worth looking at.
At the other end of the Lockside Marina flats the metalled path turns right but you should continue along the beaten path that continues by the side of the canal. This would take you right to the Springfield Basin were it not for a builders’ yard eventually blocking the way. At that point there is really no choice but to turn right past the small industrial buildings and walk to Navigation Road.
Turn left at Navigation Road and walk to Springfield Road. Turn right and then left at the traffic lights into Victoria Road. You will find a narrow footpath opposite the Riverside Inn. If you walk down this it will bring you out to the path by the River Chelmer.
When the path splits, take the right-hand fork. Walk up the slope and then the steps to Arbour Lane. Cross Arbour Lane and rejoin the Bunny Path on the left-hand side of the bridge.
Take the Bunny Path back to Stump Lane, a few yards from Green Close.