We are the Uttlesford Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Murray L.
The Green Man, or Foliate Head, a head ‘spewing and uttering vegetation from all orifices’ has nothing to do with Robin Hood or Jack-in-the-Green. Rather it depicts a re-born Adam or First Man, with angels on his head, marking his rehabilitation after the sin of eating the famous apple. The image appears in many church carvings and gargoyles, especially after C11, when plentiful Norman cash was available to fund new church buildings. How the Green Man made it across the road to give his name to so many pubs, is distinctly unclear.
Our walk today takes us via the Essex Way to the Saxon Wooden church at Greensted, which should be open. From there we take grass paths to Ongar where we stop for a desperately needed coffee in the Victorian Budworth Hall (with toilets). There follows a trudge along Ongar High Street before returning on minor farm tracks via Clatterford End to Toot Hill. Mud and surface water are promised, and a few horses, but no crossfield walking and only one easy stile. There is some rather welcome road walking for the final section into Toot Hill.
Start time is when the walk commences. There is an optional lunch at the Green Man after the walk. If dining please arrive in good time to pre-order food, from 09.45.
The Green Man & Courtyard, School Road, Toot Hill, Ongar CM5 9SD. The pub has a good-sized car park at the rear and non-diners will find plenty of space in the road outside the pub.
