Alresford
Alresford as described in an 1848 publication is a pleasant village and parish on the eastern side of the vale of the river Colne. At that time there was a fordable creek and from the ford and the alders growing near it, the parish got its name.
There have undoubtedly been settlements in and around what is the North East Essex village of Alresford (alders by the ford) since the Iron Age.
The southern boundary of the village is formed by Alresford Creek, a tributary of the River Colne that reaches the sea at Brightlingsea. The creek is still navigatable at high tide as far as Thorrington Mill and provides moorings for a number of yachts. At low tide the old Roman Ford is still visible.
To the west is the town of Wivenhoe, which can be reached by a footpath that follows the dismantled former railway line which ran adjacent to the river. The railway line, which opened in 1866 as part of the Tendring Hundred Railway, went to Brightlingsea via a swing bridge over the creek but was a victim of the sweeping cuts in railway services of Dr Beeching in 1964.
The village of Elmstead borders Alresford to the North, the northern part of Alresford was formerly know as Elmstead Heath. Frating is to the north east and to the south Thorrington is to be found.
There are a number of outstanding country walks to be enjoyed around Alresford - it is essential though, for walkers to come well prepared with maps, suitable clothes and a supply of refreshments as some of the popular circular routes are fairly long.
The traveller arriving at Alresford Station would be forgiven for thinking Alresford is a fairly "new" village as some of the homes and shops by the Railway Station only date back to the nineteen sixties - however the wider area is steeped in history and intrigue and over the coming months this page will be updated with information and pictures that will tell you what this lovely village has to offer and hopefully will also give an insight into the great community spirit that exists in this hidden gem.
