Wild Birds on the Reservoir loop from Layer-de-la-Haye
Wild Birds on the Reservoir loop from Layer-de-la-Haye
4.5
(4)
33
hikers
Wild Birds on the Reservoir loop from Layer-de-la-Haye
02:01
7.82km
30m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: July 16, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
74 m
St John the Baptist Church, Layer de la Haye
Highlight • Religious Site
The first record of the church's existence is found in a charter of 1128, although the oldest parts of the present walls were built some time before. At this time the church belonged to the Abbey of St John in Colchester, but within sixty years it had passed to the Priors of St Botolph. It was from these two great religious houses that the priests who ministered to the needs of the parish were drawn for over four hundred years.
The written records of the church are few. We know that after the Black Death the monks of St Botolph set to work to rebuild the nave and tower, both of which date from about 1350. A hundred years later they raised the chancel arch and gave the church its oldest bell (1459).
Layer de la Haye interiorDuring the 17th and 18th centuries the church suffered from neglect while it was held in plurality with Berechurch and other places. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that steps were taken to repair the fabric of the church and make it fully fit for worship. This was during the incumbency of the first resident vicar. The church was also enlarged by the building of the south aisle because the population had more than doubled since the turn of the century.
The registers of the church date only from 1752, fire having destroyed the earlier ones which probably dated from the sixteenth century.
The bells are of particular interest and below is a link to a page giving fuller details. Early in 2001 we completed a major restoration project involving the installation of a new bell frame and ringing chamber in the tower, a new bell, and refurbishment of the other bells, the oldest of which dates back to circa 1459.
Tip by
3.06 km
St Mary the Virgin Churchyard
Forest
3.43 km
Birdwatching at Abberton Reservoir
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
6.06 km
Wild Birds on the Reservoir
Highlight • Lake
6.13 km
Cycleway Next to Abberton Reservoir
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
Tip by
7.82 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.24 km
1.52 km
656 m
405 m
Surfaces
3.97 km
1.69 km
1.52 km
486 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Wednesday 15 July
28°C
15°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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