A Peasants' Pilgrimage - short walk as part of Essex Book Festival

This short loop of Wat Tyler Park, organised by T100 Festival in partnership with Essex Book Festival, commemorates the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt’s links to Fobbing. Guided by Walk Leader Phil East, walkers will head around the country park visiting Basildon Heritage Centre on the way, in between free medieval street entertainment by The Thameside Mummers.

A volunteer ‘Walk Leader’ for Kinetika and T100 Festival, Phil East is an amateur writer and professional Southender. After a lifetime of glitz and glamour working for the Council, Phil retired to walk around in circles; read up on social history; and twang Thames Delta Blues on air banjo.

Schedule:

2.45pm: Register for walk

3 - 3.15pm: Thameside Mummers Performance

3.15pm: Walk Begins

4pm: Walk ends at Wat Tyler Park, where there will be a further performance by Thameside Mummers.

4.30pm: Event ends

WALK INFO

Duration: 1 hour walk

Distance: 1.2 miles

Grading: Easy

Terrain: Made countryside footpaths, possibility of muddy patches depending on weather.

Access: Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchair users.

Walk leader: Basildon Heritage Centre & T100 team members

Walk map: https://www.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/map

TRAVEL

If traveling to the event by public transport we advise carefully planning your route in advance as the start and end point are more remote and less well served by close and regular public transport services. We have included telephone numbers for local taxi companies should you wish to book a taxi for part of the route. We advise booking well ahead to avoid disappointment.

By train

Wat Tyler Country Park: Pitsea Station is a 16min (0.8) mile walk from Wat Tyler Country Park

By car

Wat Tyler Country Park: Plenty of free parking on-site.

Local Taxi firms

Booking in advance advisable

Wat Tyler: AB Taxis, Basildon: 01268 555 555

Accessibility

The shorter loop of Wat Tyler Country Park is designed with accessibility in mind and is suitable for wheelchair and buggy users.

T100 walks are of different lengths and on varying terrain. Some are mainly on footpaths, and others mainly on footpaths where ground may be uneven. We have designed our programme with accessibility in mind so we hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you would like to discuss this please contact nicole@kinetika.co.uk

Please note: Everyone needs to choose walks within their capabilities; the walk leaders are experienced but must take people’s word that they are sufficiently fit for the grade of walk they have chosen.

Due care has been exercised in organising the walks, however Kinetika, the funders and associated partners of the project cannot accept liability for loss, accident or injury caused to any person following the routes, especially unsupervised. Participants under the age of 16 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

What to Take

Please ensure that you are properly equipped for all walks. The weather can be unpredictable so bring waterproof clothing and/or sun hats and sun cream – it’s best to be prepared for all weather.

Walking boots/shoes are recommended, but if you don’t have these please wear suitable and comfortable footwear – best to leave open-toe sandals or high heels at home. Make sure you bring snacks and a packed lunch with you, if necessary, and plenty to drink.

Toilet facilities can be accessed at Wat Tyler Park.

Photos/ filming

We will be taking photographs and video of this event to promote and celebrate the project in print and online. If you do not give consent to be photographed or filmed, that’s absolutely fine. Please let a member of the Kinetika team know on the day.