White Notley, Faulkbourne and Cressing Temple

St Etheldreda's Church, which stands above the village of White Notley, dates mostly from the 13th century, but has Roman, Saxon and Norman elements. Roman bricks, quarried from a nearby villa, show up among the flints in the outside walls and in the Norman chancel arch. A little window, now in the vestry, was cut from a Saxon headstone; its medieval glass depicts a crowned saint holding a book.

From the village, the route passes through crop fields and meadows to the neighbouring village of Faulkbourne, pronounced 'Fawborn'. Just past a terrace of weatherboarded cottages on left, is a white house - the old post office. Its end wall features one of the county's curiosities: a small trap door. In the days of horse drawn mail, the villages letters arrived around 4:00 o'clock in the morning. Fed up with having to get out of bed to take delivery at this unsociable hour, the postmaster installed this trap door right next to his pillow.

From Faulkbourne, a footbridge takes you across the River Brain. Just beyond the river is Hole Farm, one of several picturesque Tudor farmhouses in the area. Built in 1550, and enlarged in 1600, it was restored in the late 20th century. The adjacent Hole Farm Cottage, which was originally two dwellings, dates from 1840 and unusually for that period, is timber framed.

The story of Cressing Temple begins in 1137, when Queen Matilda granted the estate to the Knights Templar. This order of warrior monks held some 7,000 estates throughout Europe. The one at Cressing, originally around 2,000 acres, supported a range of agricultural and related activities.

In 1308, the Templar order was suppressed by the Pope on charges of heresy - though the real reason was its immense political and financial power. Their lands, including Cressing, were given to the Hospitalers. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the estate passed into private hands and is now owned by Essex County Council.

The two oldest buildings on the site are Templar in origin; spectacular aisle barns, one from around 1200 the other fifty years later. Their imposing dimensions and soaring timbers give them a cathedral like quality. The third major structure is the Court Hall, built around 1580 to provide stables, chaff house and tack room at ground level, with a huge granary above.

The complex also includes a 16th century walled garden, 17th century farmhouse, and a thatched waggon lodge of circa 1700. All the buildings have been expertly restored. The site, which now includes recreational facilities including a tea-room, is a popular draw to the public, both from the local community and to visitors from far and wide.

The return route to White Notley crosses fields and then follows the course of the enchanting River Brain. This provides a delightful ending to the walk.