Little Baddow combines a rich church history with walks that can be chosen according to different features. The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation borders the village to the north. The Admiral McHardy Way is a 16.3-kilometre circular walking route. Little Baddow Hall and the Little Baddow History Centre are also among the village’s historical points of interest. This means local history, landscapes and walking routes offer different focuses for your stay.
Churches, Monuments and Local History
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Little Baddow is a Grade I listed building. Little Baddow Hall is Grade II*. At St Mary’s Church, the north wall is the oldest section; it dates from the 11th century. The church also preserves a wall painting of St Christopher carrying the infant Jesus, as well as an older wall painting of the devil on the north wall. St Mary’s tenor bell is also among the oldest in the diocese. Architectural, pictorial and ecclesiastical features can all be found at this church.
The United Reformed Church offers another point of reference: it was built in 1707 and is one of the earliest nonconformist chapels in Essex. Its construction date and its place within Essex provide two different historical reference points. Together with the north wall dating from the 11th century, it shows how far apart the historical periods represented in Little Baddow’s church history are.
Discover the Little Baddow History Centre
The Little Baddow History Centre regularly holds exhibitions and events and gives the public access to the parish archives. Selected archived documents are shown to visitors and researchers. Thematically organised folders offer insights into local history and events. If you are interested in how the village has developed, the Centre complements the perspective offered by its buildings with archive material and topics from community life.
Walks with Different Features
The Admiral McHardy Way is a 16.3-kilometre circular walking route. The Little Baddow Millennium Walk passes through the Blakes and Holybred woodlands and Waterhall Meadows. The two routes can be distinguished by different features: the Admiral McHardy Way is defined by its length and circular form, while the Millennium Walk focuses on the named landscapes and water views. Heather Hills Nature Reserve is also a walking destination from Little Baddow. When planning your choice, you can therefore use either the circular route or the described landscape features as a guide.
Boat Trips and Canoe Hire
On the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, Chelmer Cruises offers boat trips from a base at Paper Mill Lock. Canadian canoes and kayaks can also be hired at Paper Mill Lock. Life jackets, paddles, a licence and third-party liability insurance are included. This gives you two different ways to enjoy the water: a trip with Chelmer Cruises or hiring a canoe or kayak. The list of included items also gives you a clear overview of what the hire offer covers.
Discover more destinations: Manningtree, Great Dunmow, West Horndon, Colchester, Layer de la Haye, Nazeing, Wickford, Braintree
For the wider travel overview: Essex.
