Welcome to the Friends of the Flitch Way and Associated Woodlands

The Flitch Way is a Country Park around part of the disused railway line between Braintree and Bishops Stortford which is managed by Essex Country Parks.  ​We are the volunteers who work to help to maintain and improve the environment for the benefit of the community,  working closely with Essex Country Parks and the Rights of Way teams we also help conserve other woods, paths and country parks in north Essex. 

Keep up to date with all our news by liking us on

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If you notice any problems or issues with the areas managed by Essex Country Parks, please report them to the Park Rangers on 0333 013 2900 or message them on their ​Facebook page.  ​
We have had a few incidents recently of motorbikes and vehicles using the Flitch Way.  The only place motorised vehicles are permitted is along the Grange Lane Track which connects the Flitch Way at Little Dunmow to Chelmsford Road, Great Dunmow. If you see a vehicle using the Flitch Way, please report it to the police on 101 and let the Park Rangers know of the incident number. 

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Wildlife of the month 

Field Scabious
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A tall, native perennial with hairy stems, the flower is a dainty lilac-blue bloom on the end of a long stem.  The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and insects.  The plant prefers drier soils and sunshine, so look out for them in open grassland rather than on the edge of woodlands or shady spots.
Field Scabious has a rough and hairy stem, similar in texture to scabby skin.  This association probably led to it being used as a herb to treat scabies, mange and itches - the "scabiosa herba".  The word scabies comes from the Latin word for "scratch" (scabere).

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Why not explore some of the places we work ...?

More information is available on our Explore page or click one of the links below to the most popular places.

Carriage Museum Rayne
A great place for all the family. Enjoy tea and cake from the Booking Hall cafe and then visit the carriage to see the model train set and learn about the history of the old railway in the carriage museum. Open 11 am until 3 pm weekends and some school holidays subject to volunteer steward availability.

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Flitch Way
Stretching for nearly 15 miles between Braintree and Bishops Stortford, the Flitch Way provides a safe traffic free environment for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.  The Flitch Way forms part of National Cycle Network Route 16. Car parking at Braintree train station and Great Notley Country Park.

Great Notley Country Park
Awarded Best Outdoor Play or Activity Centre in Essex in 2016 by Primary Times it has over 100 acres of parkland and great play facilities from tots to teens.  Accessible by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.  There is also a large car park and a signed link path to join the Flitch Way at Rayne.​

Footpath Work Group
There are many miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways in Essex.   The group is on call to go out and clear these Public Rights of Way.  This can include building new bridges, gates and steps.  So next time you are out on footpaths, around Essex, have a look and see if you can find one of the Friends discs on items we have installed.

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Major projects we are trying to finance in the financial year 2017-18 include the following:

• Professionally waterproof the roof of the Carriage Museum.  This will be completed with the help of £3,500 grant from the Essex Community Foundation (ECF).  The grant was awarded from the Yellow Car Charitable Fund (£2,500), the Essex Life Charitable Fund (£722) and the Acorn Fund (£278) which are administered by ECF.

• Replace and extend the Dunmow boardwalk on the Flitch Way near Oak Spring at Great Dunmow. Awaiting funding.
• Provide a bridge over the river Blackwater in Witham on the Blackwater Rail Trail. Awaiting funding.

You can help fund these projects by becoming a member and/or using our online donation service: