Wickham Bishops so named as this is where the ‘old manor house’
of the Bishop of London (1 of 24 residencies) stood for over 500
years. The village was mentioned in the Doomsday book and was well
established before then. Situated 3½ miles North West of Maldon,
the River Blackwater runs along the western boundary.
This is a clockwise circular walk of just under 4 miles from the
Parking Co-ordinates. The walk is along clearly marked and well
maintained footpaths and consists of seven caches. A further
existing cache can be found along the route. The whole walk can be
completed easily in two hours.
Part of the walk follows the River Blackwater as it passes
through Benton Hall Golf Course and in the second half of the walk
there are some changes in elevation giving excellent views over the
surrouding countryside.
Wickham Bishops 1: ST PETERS
Wickham Bishops 2: NE8-PED
Wickham Bishops 3: BLUE MILLS
Wickham Bishops 4: THISTLE HALL
Wickham Bishops 5: SPARKEY WOODS
Wickham Bishops 6: THE PASSAGEWAY
Wickham Bishops 7: HILL PLACE
Number 3: Blue Mills
BLUE MILLS – mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The ancients knew
it as Machin or Mathyns - which names were retained for the Millers
house. The mill became known as Blue Mills because it once had a
blue wash though no trace of the colour remains. We don’t know how
many stones were turned by the mill before it was converted to
rollers. All the old equipment except the iron pit wheel on the
side was removed.
In the 1600’s there were three bridges across the river but
there was a regular problem of maintenance. By 1774 a petition was
raised to the county “as the river is so swollen in winter that it
is impassable for several months and dangerous to strangers”. The
public were having to pay Mr Burlton 1/- each to use his private
bridge. A new brick bridge would need to be 84 ft with 5 arches and
would cost £319-10-0. The petition was received and the village
given £210-0-0 towards the cost of the bridge on the basis that it
took full responsibility for the bridge and that no toll is
charged.
A Giant Redwood stands near the Blue Mills Bridge which spans
the River Blackwater.
From the road pick up the footpath in a SE direction across the
golf course to the waypoint. Follow the footpath to a small wooded
area.