Essex Estuaries - The Stour from Manningtree to Mistley

On this walk along part of the Stour Estuary Laura will tell the story of women accused of witchcraft during a 17th-century craze that played out in the three villages of Lawford, Manningtree and Mistley. She'll reveal exactly what kinds of women were targeted and talk about why, including the opportunism of local men like Matthew Hopkins. Rob will talk about Mistley Quay , a port where ships were built in the 18th century and now site of Britain's largest malt factory. The walk also passes Mistley Towers a surviving part of a church designed by Robert Adam.

The walk is about 3 miles long and includes some country paths as well as town walking. We end at Mistley, and there will be a short pub stop at the half-way point. The walk crosses some open fields, so may be muddy, so boots or high trainers with good soles are needed.

Manningtree is about one hour by train from Liverpool Street Station.

Laura Agustín is a qualified guide as well as historian and writer keen to tell histories of working people treated like an inanimate mass in conventional accounts. The Naked Anthropologist is her longtime blog. Essex estuaries interest her because they are generally not mentioned as worthy destinations - but they are wonderful!