The Friends of the Flitch Way and Associated Woodlands
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Helping to conserve the Flitch Way, Blackwater Rail Trail and Essex countryside for the community.
The Friends of the Flitch Way and Associated Woodlands are a volunteer group who help to maintain and improve areas for the benefit of the community. We work closely with Essex Country Parks and the Rights of Way teams to conserve woods, paths and country parks managed by Essex County Council in north Essex. 
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Coronavirus update
Please the Flitch Way and other paths considerately, and if you are riding or jogging, please slow down to make sure other users are aware of your presence. You can also use the Public Rights of Way network for your daily exercise, full details of which can be seen on https://www.essexhighways.org/getting-around/public-rights-of-way/prow-interactive-map.aspx. .
Wildlife of the month
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Spindle
Spindle Trees can grow up to 9m and live for more than 100 years. The bark and twigs are deep green, becoming darker with age, and have light brown, corky markings. The bright pink fruits split in autumn to reveal orange seeds and the leaves have great autumn colour too. Spindle is often found along woodland edges and is an indicator of Ancient Woodland. The timber is creamy-white, hard and dense and in the past it was used to make ‘spindles’ for spinning and holding wool (hence its name), as well as skewers, toothpicks, pegs and knitting needles. The fruits were baked and powdered, and used to treat head lice or mange in cattle. Both the leaves and fruit are toxic to humans and the berries having a laxative effect. Today, Spindle timber is used to make high-quality charcoal for artists. Cultivated forms of the tree are also grown in gardens for autumn colour. The Spindle’s botanical name, Euonymus, is from the Greek ‘eu’, meaning ‘good’ and ‘onoma’, meaning ‘name’. This is said to have meant ‘lucky’. However, in some areas, it was also thought that if the Spindle flowered early, an outbreak of the plague was on the way. |
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Discover more on our Wildlife page.
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.
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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 Saturday & Sunday subject to volunteer steward availability. |
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The 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. |
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Great Notley Country Park
With over 100 acres of parkland and great play facilities, Great Notley Country Park has lots to offer the whole family and holds a prestigious Green Flag award. There is a large car park and a signed link path to join the Flitch Way at Rayne, accessible to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. |
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Blackwater Rail Trail
This is a beautiful walk along a disused railway line between Witham and Maldon in Essex, most parts of which are also accessible to cyclists and horse riders. |
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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. |
Fentons Farm Bridge just west of Rayne
Essex Highways have created a web page to keep people updated on their plans to replace Fentons Farm Bridge where it crosses the Flitch Way. The route is currently diverted via two ramps which can be difficult for some users to use.
Essex Highways have created a web page to keep people updated on their plans to replace Fentons Farm Bridge where it crosses the Flitch Way. The route is currently diverted via two ramps which can be difficult for some users to use.
Major projects we are trying to fund include the following
- Replace and extend the Dunmow boardwalk on the Flitch Way near Oak Spring at Great Dunmow.
You can help fund these projects by becoming a member and/or using our online donation services:
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Donate with Paypal
Annual £12 subscription with Paypal
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The Flitch Way and Blackwater Rail Trail are managed by Essex County Council Country Parks. Please be aware:
Useful contact numbers:
- Motorised vehicles are not permitted except along the Grange Lane Track which connects the Flitch Way at Little Dunmow to Chelmsford Road, Great Dunmow and Buttleys Lane near Great Dunmow. If you see a vehicle using the Flitch Way or Blackwater Rail Trail, please report it to the police on 101/999 and let the Park Rangers know of the incident number.
- All dogs should be under control.
- If you have an incident with a dog, please report it to the relevant dog warden and police with a detailed description and let the Park Rangers know the incident number.
- Please take your litter home with you.
Useful contact numbers:
- Country Park Rangers 03330 132 900 or message the Rangers on their Facebook page.
- Braintree Dog Warden 01376 552 525.
- Uttlesford Dog Warden 01799 510 510.
- Uttlesford Environmental Health 01799 510 510.
- Essex County Wide Traveller Unit 0345 603 7624.