Dolphin - Stisted

Gravity pub that fell into the hands of rogues ie. Greene King

The Dolphin

There is real ale served by gravity straight from the cask.

There is food and a large garden at the back with swings.

Note: The Official location of the Dolphin is "Stisted" but if you go to Stisted village you'll be disappointed. Actually it is on the edge of 4 parishes, smack on the main A120 two miles east of Braintree.
Map reference: TL 795 234. It is just on the edge of the OS maps. Landranger 168 the area to the east on it which covers the majority of the rides described.

7 miles from Witham
6 miles from Kelvedon
3 miles (busy road!) from Braintree
3 miles from Cressing
If you fancy a bit of exercise with an easterly wind you could try Colchester Boxted - Bures - Pebmarsh (q.v.) - Dolphin then Witham/Cressing

Locality

Don't get excited. Braintree is a sod of a place for cycling. The countryside is nothing special and the lanes are busier than those in Suffolk and Norfolk. Coggeshall has many half-timbered buildings. It may be worth checking to see when the NT opens Paycockes House. Or just stop for a cup of tea and a bun. Witham is one big housing estate.

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The rides described here are:

Witham circular route 17 miles
Avoiding Braintree 3 miles.
Kelvedon - Two routes 6 and 11 miles

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Circular route from Witham 16 miles.

Witham to the Dolphin

Immediately after coming out of station turn left, but then go sharp right.
After 100 yds right again as if going round in a circle.
After 50 yards keep left/straight on and across railway by foot crossing
At junction of paths go left.
When you come out onto an estate road go right.
After 1/4 mile the road turns left but there is a lane branching off to the right. Take this lane on the right.
When you arrive at a tee turn right. Downhill to Rivenhall. Warning. Do not get motorists squeeze you into the hedge.
At T-triangle turn left, past church. Keep going to Silver End.
Pass factories and straight-on at junction by ‘barn' church.
After 200 yds turn right into Sheepcotes Lane.
Follow the lane for nearly 2 miles then turn left at T-junction.
Carry on along this lane. Keep well away from the edges as the road isn't too well maintained and you may get whipped in the face by bits growing out of the hedges.
Keep right at all junctions until you come to a dual carriage way (A120)
Turn left, downhill. (Although I don't generally approve of pavement cycling, and at night this is a bad idea, you may find the pavement a safer daytime route.)
You can see the Dolphin 1/4 mile ahead on the right.

Back to Witham

Left out of the pub, down the hill.
First right at the brow of the hill. If you are on the road then you have to judge the 60mph right turn carefully. Many people use the pavement on the RH side.
Carry on along this lane Watch out for bad road surface, water and bits sticking out of hedges. When after 1/4 mile the road bends sharp right FOLLOW it RIGHT. (Ahead was the route described to get here.)
Carry on past the water tower, over the brow of the hill, into the village of Cressing.
Turn left at the T-triangle by the Ashes pub.
Ignore the next two triangle junctions. Past the church.
After ½ mile take a right turn into a small dog-leg-lane.
This brings you out onto the main Witham-Braintree road. Cross over (left then right) to get to White Notley.
Past station down into White Notley village. Over river. First left is a curving estate road with a slightly gentler climb than the tee 10 yards further on. Either route is a left turn.
Turn left out of the estate road when it rejoins the ‘main' road.
Press on to Witham. Make the most of each down part of the dips.
Turn left at the roundabout. Over the river. You have right of way over the bridge but be prepared for ignorant idiots coming the other way.
Up the short hill then right at the a mini-roundabout.
The station is on your left.

Avoid Braintree. Use White Notley or Cressing

Braintree circular route? Forget it. The central area is infested with traffic and the outer lanes only slightly less and they don't join up nicely either.

From White Notley

Up hill
Across main road (Left/right)
Left at Tee
Right at triangle (If by mistake you reach pub then right at next pub)
Left at tee
Right at Tee by water tower
Follow road round to left at junction on bend
Left at dual carriageway. (Although I don't generally approve of pavement cycling, and at night this is a bad idea, you may find the pavement a safer daytime route.)
You can see the Dolphin 1/4 mile ahead on the right.
Return as for return to Witham.

From Cressing

Up hill
Right at triangle tee
Across main road (Right/left)
At triangle in Cressing village keep hard left.
At 2nd pub turn right
Past water tower
Follow road round to left at junction on bend
Left at dual carriageway. (Although I don't generally approve of pavement cycling, and at night this is a bad idea, you may find the pavement a safer daytime route.)
You can see the Dolphin 1/4 mile ahead on the right.
Return as for return to Witham but turn right at triangle just after Willows pub in Cressing. Dogleg right/left over main road then left down hill at triangle.

Kelvedon - Two routes

The trains are infrequent here so be careful. Kelvedon can be a good start or finish depending on the wind as there is a very exposed east-west section. E or SE is good for starting at Kelvedon. W or NW is good for finishing at Kelvedon.

Short route 7 miles

Out	Return
Left out of station First left 1/4 mile after pub Keep left at junction of lanes - Signposted Bradwell Keep going past church until you arrive at Bradwell and come out on A120. Dolphin is ½ mile left towards Braintree	Down hill, left, out of front of pub. You might decide the pavement is safer. Right at brow of hill At junction on sharp right bend go STRAIGHT AHEAD Continue until reaching tee by church. All turns from now on are right. Bowl along (if you have the wind with you) or grit your teeth (if the wind is against).

Longer route

Out

Return

Left out of station
Cross river in Coggeshall (Coggeshall has many half timbered buildings. It may be worth checking to see when the NT opens Paycockes House. Or just stop for a cup of tea and a bun.)
Keep left, heading along a straight road towards Braintree
When you meet the A120 go left for 200 yds then cross (carefully) into a lane
After about a mile turn sharp left (up a rise under pylons)
Straight ahead. Just after right fork the road dips down as it crosses a brook. This can get very sandy so go slowly and carefully.
At tee turn left
Follow the road to and then through Stisted.
Immediately after hump back bridge turn right into a lane.
At the top of this lane is the Dolphin.

Go down lane beside pub
Left at bottom and over bridge.
Straight ahead through Stisted village
About a mile out of the village take (first) right turn signposted Pattiswick. Watch out for the slippery sandy road surface at the bottom of the first dip
Continue to Tee then right.
Continue to main road then left ( busy road for 200yds) then right into Coggeshall.
Follow the signposts to Kelvedon by going right at the lowest part of the village and over the river.

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