Woodbarns Spring

A woodland spring hidden deep in the Essex forest, Woodbarns Spring is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The water rises up clear and cold from beneath the trees, feeding into a small stream that winds through the surrounding woodland. It's proper peaceful - the kind of spot where you can actually hear yourself think.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination in itself, more a lovely detour on a longer forest ramble near Ingatestone. The walk through the trees is gentle enough for reasonably fit families, though expecting young children to get excited about a spring for more than ten minutes is probably wishful thinking. There's something meditative about it though - you're not fighting crowds, just enjoying quiet woodland and the small miracle of clear water emerging from the ground.

Bring good boots. The ground gets boggy, especially after rain, and the path isn't maintained like some tourist spots. That's rather the point. Since it's a natural feature in open woodland, there's no admission charge and no fixed opening hours - you come when you like, really.

If you're staying at Stuarts Wood Campsite just six miles away, this makes an excellent morning walk before heading back for lunch. Combine it with other forest walks in the area rather than treating it as a standalone visit. Worth the detour if you're already exploring Essex woodlands, but don't go out of your way specifically for it.