Places to visit in Essex, Hockley Woods

Wild Woods Day in Hockley Woods organised by Rochford Council

Mark Aldous says “Wild Woods Day Family Fun Day is taking place on Saturday 1 June. 2013 is the 10th Anniversary of the event and the day regularly attracts over 2500 visitors”.

Wild Woods Fun Day Itinery

Wild Woods Day in Hockley – Saturday 1 June 2013
11am to 4pm at Hockley Woods
Sponsored by Virgin Active
Information: Leisure Team on 01702 318191
Email leisure@rochford.gov.uk
Council Website www.rochford.gov.uk/wildwoodsday
Join us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Wild Woods Day
Enjoy a day of discovery in Hockley ancient woodlands

Live Music

Archery

Geocaching

Fencing

Rare Owls

Chainsaw Wood Carving

Boccia

‘Make and Take’
Art activities

Climbing Wall

Under 5’s area

Pop-up Market
All activities subject to change.
No on-site parking. Free parking and shuttle bus
service from Hockley Community Centre (SS5 4XD)
Alternatively, take the train to Hockley
(Southend Victoria Line) or the No.7 Bus.
Train and Bus information: 0871 200 22 33.
No need to book, just turn up!
Free event
Children remain the responsibility of parents/guardians throughout the day.
This event will be photographed and filmed for publicity purposes
Lots of your favourite activities from the past 10 years will be returning along with many new attractions!
. . . and much more!

We are inviting residents who would like to enjoy some gentle exercise and see the flourishing spring flowers in Hockley Woods to take part in their FREE ‘Spring Health Walk’.

Spring Health Walk Organised by The Council

The walk will be taking place on 25 April at 10:45am meeting in Hockley Woods car park and will last approximately 2 hours. Not only will walkers be able to marvel at the flourishing spring flowers whilst getting plenty of exercise, they will also get to hear some fascinating tales about the 10,000 year old woodlands and the enchanting folklore of ghosts and fairies that live within.

The walks, organised by the Council, are run by qualified Volunteer Walk Leaders and have proved successful in encouraging the community to get out and enjoy exercise.

Rochford District Council’s Woodlands Officer, Richard Bond, said: “These free walks are ideal for people who want to do a bit more exercise. They’re also a great opportunity for people to talk as they walk and make new friends.

There are lots of different walking routes available within our District so taking part is a great way to see some of the spectacular scenery we have on our doorstep especially now as the spring flowers are beginning to emerge”.

The flower bloom in Hockley Woods is an incredible sight and one not to be missed, so please feel free to let our Leisure Services Team know if you’re coming by calling 01702 318121″

Hockley Living Magazine have published an article about my Hockley Woods website!

Hockley Living Magazine Issue 4, November 2012 click below!

Hockley-Living-Magazine

I was thrilled and delighted when I picked up Issue 4, November 2012 and found my Hockley Woods website screen shot and a lovely accompanying write up. The increased exposure that Hockley Living Magazine will bring to my community website is most welcome. As Hockley Woods Dot Com is still very much in it’s infancy, it gives local people of Hockley a hand in shaping this website for the future, with local news, articles, pictures, and ideas. It’s a website written about the people, for the people. I would like it to grow, and benefit residents of Hockley and Hawkwell, together with those people who haven’t yet paid a visit to Hockley Woods. Onwards and upwards!

If you would like to get in touch with me regarding Hockley Woods Website you can contact me on 07802 195204 and Hockley Living Magazine on 079277 18969

On my website you will find a map of Hockley Woods, along with other links to maps of Hockley footpaths. These maps are on the Rochford Council website too.

Submit your own map of Hockley Woods or favourite walk

Do you have a favourite walk and would like to share it with others? Simply drop me a line and I will publish it! Share your map of Hockley, Rayleigh or Rochford walks here. Email me at

geoff at geoffgrove.com

Ramblers

I’m still looking out for local Rambling Clubs in the Rayleigh / Rochford / Woodham Ferrers area to display links to on my web site. If you know of, or are a member of a group you think well deserves a mention, please contact me. I will give them a free advert!

Charge for parking in Hockley Woods Car Park

I’m also interested in any local issues to do with Hockley Woods and surrounding areas, so again, if you have anything to share, please get in touch.
I’ve not seen the parking machines yet in the main car park area, but imagine they are now installed. Does anyone have further details as to when they will be operational, and how much the fees will be?
You can also follow local info on the Facebook page ‘Hockley Essex’, post your own info too. Here’s the direct link..
Hockley Essex

Gusted Hall Woods, Gusted Hall Lane, SS5 4JL

Many people may wonder where Gusted Hall Woods are. They back on to The Keddies Estate, aka The Lawn, Rochford. Don’t go into the well fenced off area as they do paintball and you might get shot! You may come across Bluebell Wood with it’s thick blue carpet in spring. They also link up with Hockley Woods, and Grove Woods. In fact you can walk from Hockley to Eastwood by cutting through this area, flanked by oil seed rape fields of golden yellow.

Access is just off the Main Road, near Potash Nursery. You will see a long straight road heading up into the fields, this is Gusted Hall Lane, Postcode SS5 4JL. Just follow this, and you will find limited parking at the end of this road. Walk straight down the main path through the trees, and turn left as soon as you walk over a bridge and stream.

Take the wrong path and you will have a fence to negotiate!


 

 
This will take you past a nature reserve area, and on to a recently created lake! New bridleways link this area to Cherry Orchard Way.
Enjoy exploring!

Dog Microchip Event Free Microchipping

If your dog is not microchipped there is a free dog microchip event on Sunday 20th May at Sweyne Park (Downhall Park Way) Rayleigh, Essex, where there will be Free Dog Microchipping available.

Its from 12noon til 3pm. (There are also other family activities!)
I would recommend getting it done if your dog isn’t chipped, it doesn’t hurt them, and it could be a Godsend if they are lost or stolen.

Ramblers Clubs and Walking Groups

When this rain eventually stops and warm sunshine makes us dash outdoors, you might want to explore your area in greater detail.
Hockleywoods.com has a dedicated page for Ramblers Clubs and Walking Groups in the Hockley and Rochford area. If you would like to view some of the walks and timetables take a look!
If you run a group and would like it to be included on my page please get in touch!
There are lots of new pictures added of Hockley Woods, Gusted Hall and Grove Woods. I took these while out with The Rayleigh Dog Walking Group
Like a set of nice pictures of your dog at play? Look through the gallery, I can accompany you on a walk, snap away, and present you with a CD packed with high resolution images that you can have printed, or share with friends and family.
Geoff Grove 07802 195204

Pictures Of Your Dog

Pictures of your dog can now be viewed on my website. I have been out with members of the Rayleigh Dog Walking Group, with my camera, and put together an album. Just click on ‘Photos Hockley’ and you will see the photo gallery. Click an image to enlarge it.
I have put together a photography package if you would like some nice pictures of your dog. I can come on a walk with you, take lots of pictures, and give you a CD with all the shots on in high resolution. You can take the CD to Boots and have the pictures printed out, or upload your new pictures to facebook or a digital photo frame.
Bronze: 1 hour walk, £30
Silver: 2 hour walk, £50
Gold: 4 hour walk, £70
Your own photographer, no hidden extras.
Contact me, Geoff 07802 195204

Plans to charge for parking Hockley Woods filled me, and others with horror. This is a link to a council document explaining the changes being made to the Hockley Woods Main Entrance car park.
Hockley Woods Charges and Car Park Closure

Plans to charge for parking Hockley Woods

There is a gap in the revenue raised from Council Tax, and the services needed in this area. Government legislation means that the current rate of tax is capped. Therefore, to avoid sacrificing services, other ways to raise revenue are needed. This scheme to charge for parking in Hockley Woods is to raise revenue for the Council to avoid cutting services.

Hockley Woods Car Park Closed

Hockley Woods car park will be closed for approximately 5 weeks for ‘re surfacing’, which I presume allows for the marking of parking bays and the installation and commission of the parking meters. It has been mentioned that the cost of the work and meters will be around £30,000 pounds. If you know the true figure please get in touch and I will ammend my article.
I wonder if a similar plan will be enforced on Grove Woods, Gusted Hall, and Cherry Orchard Park, all becoming smaller versions of Rayleigh’s Websters Way ‘money making machine’. I did read that Websters Meadows was a gift to the people of Rayleigh. Therefore, on that basis i’m not sure how the people of Rayleigh can be made to pay to park there.
I welcome your comments and accurate information to keep others informed.