CHAPPEL VIADUCT LENGTH: 3 Miles including Millennium Green DURATION: Approximately 1-1½ hours TERRAIN: Mostly footpaths, not suitable for prams & can be muddy in some areas following wet weather. MAP: O.S. Sheet 168, Colchester & The Blackwater PARKING: East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel & Wakes Colne Station A short walk offering alternative views of Chappel Viaduct, with good views over the Colne Valley. This walk also provides an opportunity to visit the Millennium Green and St. Barnabas Church. Start this short walk by leaving Chappel & Wakes Colne Station via the station drive. Turn left at the junction with Station Road and walk down the hill to the junction with the A1124. Cross the road opposite the village shop and turn left and continue along the pavement, turn right at the concrete footpath sign (River Colne Countryside Project) just before the viaduct. Follow the footpath, parallel with the viaduct, noting the commemorative stone on pier 11. This provides information about the building of the 32 arch viaduct which commenced in 1947. Cross the River Colne via the footbridge and follow the footpath, turning left under the viaduct, then right running parallel with the viaduct. Opposite pier 25 on the left hand side, is the entrance to the Millennium Green, part of the Millennium Project. The green was officially opened on 1st September 2001. Turning your back on the imposing viaduct, pass through the gate & follow the path to the right. Turn left and follow the path along, turning left again onto the raised boardwalk. This path goes clockwise around the green and allows views of the two ponds. The second, smaller pond is a natural wildlife habitat, from here an impressive view of the viaduct is offered. Continue clockwise along the path, to return to the entrance gate. Leaving the green via the gate, turn left onto the footpath, walking alongside the viaduct, across a stile and continue until a signpost, points to a left turn onto a footbridge which crosses a small stream. We part company with the railway for a short distance as we head across the field following a clear path towards Popes Lane. As you cross the field, look behind for another fine view of the viaduct. At the edge of the field turn right onto Popes Lane continuing uphill and under the railway bridge. Note the rails used to strengthen the bridge arch. Turn left at the junction with Swan Street and walk uphill a short distance, keeping an eye out for a concrete footpath sign on the right hand side. Cross two stiles and cross the field (note the pig pens on the left) continuing down to a stile & footbridge crossing a small stream. Turn right and follow the edge of the field walking in a NW direction, until you reach a footpath sign behind Hill House. You can walk across the field as indicated by the sign, but this depends on the crops in the field. Turn right at the footpath sign crossing a stream via a wooden bridge, cross the lane & turn right. At the footpath sign on the left, follow the well defined footpath, across the field heading downhill towards the church, visible by its white spire. Head towards the stile on the left hand side of the field boundary in front of you. At this location there is another view of Chappel Viaduct on the right. Wakes Colne Mill is also visible, together with several 13th & 14th century buildings in the village of Chappel. The Colne Valley is also visible from this location. Cross the stile and turn right following the path towards the road. Cross the stile and turn left onto the road, continue until you come to a lane on the left which leads to the church of St. Barnabas, Chappel. The church was consecrated in 1352, by Bishop Michael Northburgh of London. In P.H.Reaney’s Place Names of Essex’ he records that there was certainly a chapel in existence in 1285, as it is mentioned in the Assize Rolls (now kept in the Public Records Office). It is possible that the church is in fact of Norman origin, based on the pattern of masonry on the North Wall, and the absence of original buttresses (the brick buttresses are comparatively recent). The churchyard is modest by country church standards, and was closed for burial in 1882. The gravestones were moved to the sides in the 1960’s, and most are now hidden by the yew trees to the north of the churchyard. The wooden bell turret and four sided spire was constructed in the 19th century, although it probably replaced an earlier structure. The turret and Spire underwent extensive repair and renewal in 2000. The south porch dates from the 18th century and retains much of it’s original timbering, the glass windows and entrance door were added in the 1970’s. The door to the church is possibly of Norman origin, with signs of alteration to fit the doorway, perhaps carried out at the time of the consecration. Remains of the original strap hinges can be seen and are contemporary with the door. Retrace your steps to the end of the lane & turn left along the road, through the village of Chappel, passing the Swan Inn on the right. Inside the Swan, more information can be found concerning the history of the Inn and the Viaduct. Cross the River Colne and at the junction with the A1124, cross over and walk up Station Road, retracing your steps to the station.