Maybush Inn, Great Oakley to Harwich
Some history
During our first RambAle in Community Pubs Month April 2012 it was suggested one be organised for Cider month in October 2012 visiting real cider pubs. This became route 2 (“Cider with rosy cheeks”). At that time a couple of the Harwich pubs didn’t open all day Saturday, so we started in Harwich although our original plan had been to finish there.
In 2012 Pam Rivers was the Tendring CAMRA Cider Representative, and her husband Tony was the Tendring CAMRA Membership Secretary. Those who knew them will know that sadly they are no longer with us, and are still very much missed.
In 2018 it was suggested that we re-do this walk in their memory, this time finishing at Harwich, with any sponsorship raised going to Tony or Pam‘s Timeless Tribute funds.
A provisional date of Saturday 20th October 2018 has been pencilled in for this walk.
The route
Since 2012 a new Wetherspoon pub, the Bottle Kiln, has been opened in Dovercourt just a short diversion from our original seafront route so has been added as an optional stop, and in Harwich the Globe has started stocking real cider regularly.
This route then takes us from Great Oakley to Little Oakley, after which we pick up the Essex Way along the seafront with an optional minor diversion into Dovercourt. On reaching Harwich we spiral around from the New Bell back towards the Hanover Inn to finish near the station.
Estimated timings
Based on previous RambAle’s estimates are based on 4km per hour rounded to the next 15 minute interval, with a half hour stop per pub. Exceptions are made for very short distances.
For Saturday 24th January 2026 it is suggested that those from Clacton get the 3 from Pier Avenue at 10:55 due at Great Oakley at 11:29, and those from Harwich get the 104 from the station at 11:05 arriving at Great Oakley at 11:27. The Maybush has agreed to open early for us.
If we plan to leave the Maybush by 12:15 with half an hour stops at subsequent pubs then we should take about 45 minutes to Ye Olde Cherry Tree, being there from 13:00 to 13:30. The bus alternative to the walk is the 104 bus leaving about 12:37 and getting there at 12:42.
The next leg to the Bottle Kiln should take about 90 minutes or so, so those walking should get to the Bottle Kiln around 15:00. There are a number of options for the bus in that time including the 3 at around 13:35 or the 104 around 13:43, or later depending which pub you want to spend more time in – those not walking might like to consider lunch, for example. Check timetables or use Traveline for full details (the website I’ve used for checking bus times in this email).
Leaving the Bottle Kiln at 15:30 to walk, we should get to Harwich around 16:00 so bus options would be the 3 at 15:47 or 22 at 15:54 but allow 5 minutes or so to get to the bus stop from the Bottle Kiln). We’ll need to discuss what order people want to visit Harwich pubs on the day so we know where to meet up, though I’ll also give out my mobile number in case people want to track me down.
Those heading back to Clacton will probably then want the 18:10 (last) bus, as missing that will require a return trip by train, changing at Manningtree and Colchester.
Estimated timings from 2018
When planning this route for October 2018 the number 3 bus from Clacton reached Great Oakley at 12:25, so times assume we start walking at 12:55. We also skipped the optional Bottle Kiln stop due to the time of the last bus back to Clacton.
The walk from the Maybush to the Olde Cherry Tree is 1.9 miles, so about 45 minutes. This means we’ll be at the Olde Cherry Tree from 13:40 to 14:10.
After the Olde Cherry Tree we have the longest section of the walk at 4.9 miles which might take about an hour and three-quarters, getting us to Harwich at about 16:10.
Alternatively from the Olde Cherry Tree do the optional stop at the Bottle Kiln then head back along the promenade from Dovercourt – this makes the distance from Olde Cherry Tree to New Bell 5.2miles, adding 0.3 miles and a half hour stop.
The last bus back to Clacton is at 18:14, so if people from Clacton visit all pubs including the optional stop in Dovercourt they’ll need to return by train, changing at Manningtree and Colchester North as necessary. Even without the Dovercourt stop they’ll need to keep an eye on the time to not miss the bus.
Approximate distances:
- Maybush, Great Oakley to Olde Cherry Tree, Little Oakley: 3.1km / 1.9miles
- Olde Cherry Tree, Little Oakley to Bottle Kiln, Dovercourt: 6.4km / 4 miles
- Bottle Kiln, Dovercourt to New Bell, Harwich: 2.0km / 1.2 miles
- Or Olde Cherry Tree, Little Oakley to New Bell, Harwich: 7.9km / 4.9 miles
- New Bell, Harwich to Globe, Harwich: 170m / 0.1 miles
- Globe, Harwich to Alma, Harwich: 100m / 0.1 miles
- Alma, Harwich to Hanover, Harwich: 320m / 0.2 miles
Getting to Great Oakley
From Clacton only the number 3 now goes to Harwich, via Great Oakley. From Harwich as well as the 3 the 104 to Colchester might get to Great Oakley at a more suitable time. You want to get off by the war memorial.