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Explorer Cyle Route – Great Yeldham and Bulmer

The cycling route takes you through the historical Essex villages of Great Yeldham, Sible Hedingham, Castle Hedingham, Bulmer and Belchamp St Paul.

Great Yeldham is steeped in history and a perfect village to leisurely explore.  The Old Oak tree which stands where the three roads converge, is shown on a map of 1777 but was growing there many centuries before that.   It is said that the tree was over 1,000 years old at its demise although this may be an exaggeration!   Only the old stump, now filled with concrete, survives as testament to its great girth.   The oak tree behind the stump was planted there over 150 years ago but has much growing still to do if it is to compete with the original tree.   Why not visit the English Spirit Distillery on the Grape and Grain Trail and see their Grade II listed distillery barn, learning how spirits are made; sample from their award winning luxury collection of vodkas, gins, rums, and much more and pick up exclusive purchases in their distillery shop

Bulmer is a beautiful Essex village which has its claim to fame in having one of the last surviving brick and tile yards which each brick and tile is hand moulded, fired and distributed throughout the British Isles, from clay dug up from its own supply within Bulmer.

Following into Belchamp St Paul where the name Belchamp is derived from the old English word ‘Bylcham’, which means a house with a beamed roof. St Paul comes from the fact that in 930 AD King Athelstan granted the manor to St Pauls Cathedral. It is a beautiful chestnut tree-lined village, surrounded by fields. The church and Hall are almost one mile away from the main settlement of Belchamp St Paul, namely Cole Green. Knowl Green, which is at the south end of the village is named from knoll, meaning ‘high point’. The green that end is enclosed by a hawthorne hedge which dates back to the Enclosure Act.

This route is largely on quiet roads, suitable for adults, giving you the option of either 10mile, 20 mile or 30 mile rides.  The routes include lots to see and plenty of opportunities to stop and refuel.