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The 16th Halstead & Essex Marathon is sponsored by:
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» Maps and local info |
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18 Nov 2006 - 6:57 PM - by UltraFlynn
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Click here for a map.
Halstead is convenient to London and there are frequent flights to nearby Stansted from many European destinations including the major airports in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Scandinavia.
Another way to make your weekend memorable is to take a sea ferry to nearby Harwich or Felixstowe from the Hook of Holland, Esbjerg or Hamburg.
North Essex is an ideal tourist area and makes a good weekend break. In Halstead we have a large antiques centre in an old 18th century mill. Nearby there are are two steam railways, a Castle, a lake with a number of facilities including camping and water skiing, two museums including the working Silk Mill where silk has been woven recently for Windsor Castle and the Lord Chancellor.
Question or comment? - please click here.
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» Getting there by public transport |
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18 Nov 2006 - 6:49 PM - by UltraFlynn
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The local transport hub is Braintree about 7 miles away from the start. The only public transport from Braintree to Halstead is the bus service run by First Eastern National (01279 680854). There are plenty of taxi services.
Buses - The bus stop for the bus service (352), which starts at Chelmsford, is in Coggeshall Road, opposite Sainsburys car park entrance. From the railway station turn left and follow the directions to the Town Centre. Walk through the Market Square and Great Square when you will see Sainsburys behind the right hand corner. Walk round Sainsburys to the car park and follow the short access road, which emerges in Coggeshall Road. The bus stop is opposite.
Other Bus services run from Halstead to Colchester, Sudbury, Haverhill and surrounding villages. Most of these are operated by Hedingham Omnibuses (01787 460621). Essex Express runs Coach Services from London. The only service running from Halstead on Sunday afternoon is the two hourly First Eastern National bus service to Braintree and then Chelmsford.
Trains - Braintree is served by the hourly First Eastern train service from Liverpool Street. Most trains are direct but some require a change at Witham, the Braintree train being timed to connect with the London trains. There are trains from the Ports of Harwich and Felixstowe to Witham to connect to the Braintree Line.
The impressive Designer Village - Freeport where most major Designers (Versace, Tommy Hilfiger etc) have outlets, has its own dedicated railway station "Braintree Freeport" just before Braintree, do not get off there but continue to the next, and last station "Braintree" If you do get off at Braintree Freeport, to stock up with designer gear or visit specialist Sports Shops like Nike, Reebok and Musto, there is a continuous free bus service into Braintree during opening hours.
Trains from Liverpool Street normally take about an hour. The times of journeys from Harwich and Felixstowe vary, depending on the number of changes that are necessary. Full details can be obtained by ringing National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.
First Group run both the trains from London and the buses to Halstead and can give you detail of connections (08459 50 50 50).
The timetable shows a train leaving Liverpool Street at 7.32am on Sunday morning with a connecting bus service arriving a Halstead at 9.27.am. We would not recommend this, as there is a steep 20 minutes uphill walk in Halstead to the start. If you do decide to travel by train from Liverpool Street early on Sunday morning, check with National Rail Enquiries that there are no engineering works overnight. (This happens quite frequently on week end nights), and arrange for a taxi to meet you at Braintree Station.
Air - Stansted Airport is only 24 miles from Braintree. There are regular flights from most major European Destinations. Many run by low cost Airlines such as GO, (a subsidiary of British Airways), BUZZ (a subsidiary of KLM/airUK) and Ryanair. There are coach services to Braintree and dedicated Taxi Services from Stansted and to Halstead.
Sea - Halstead is near the Ferry Ports of Felixstowe and Harwich. The shortest Ferry Crossing is from The Hook of Holland but there are ferries from other European Ports.
Taxis - There are a number of Taxi Operators in Braintree and Halstead. At Stansted Airport there is a convenient dedicated Taxi service appointed by the Airport with a Desk on the Arrivals concourse. You can book in advance or use the courtesy phones in the arrivals concourse.
Question or comment? - please click here.
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» Getting there by car |
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18 Nov 2006 - 6:46 PM - by UltraFlynn
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For those with Sat-Nav you are aiming for:-
Halstead Leisure Centre
Colne Road, Halstead, Essex CO9 2HR
Tel. 01787 472480
For those who don't, here's some detailing directions of how to get there by car.
From London and the West - Halstead is just over half an hour’s driving from the M11 junction of the M25 (junction 27). Take the M11 north to Junction 8 (Stansted Airport and Birchhanger Services). From Junction 8 of the M11 take the A120 East shown 'Stansted Airport and A120 Colchester' to the Braintree Bypass and follow signs 'A131 Sudbury' . Go right round the bypass to the A131 for the last five miles to Halstead. When you arrive at Halstead, go straight through the town, up the hill, straight over the two mini roundabouts continuing in the direction of Sudbury. After about 400 yards, you will need to turn right into Colne Road (with its speed bumps) This turn will be signed and marshalled at the busy period before the start. Race HQ is ~ 400 yards on your left and parking just passed that on your right (marshalled).
From the North and Midlands – Take the A1 & M14 to join the M11 near Cambridge then south to Junction 8. See above for directions from the M11.
From the Southeast – Leave the M25 at Brentwood (junction 28) and take the A12 northeast, passing Chelmsford. Turn off at Witham and follow signs for Braintree (B1018). On the approach to Braintree you will pick up the A120 / Braintree by-pass; follow signs for Halstead (A131). See above for directions from the A120.
From the A1124 Junction with the A12 - continue along the A1124 for the last 9 miles to Halstead. The A12 is a boring dual carriageway almost up to motorway specifications in places; which makes the A1124 a pleasant experience for those not in a hurry. A designated scenic route, it winds through the Colne Valley passing down the half-timbered main streets of Ford Street, Chappel (with spectacular viaduct over the valley), White Colne, Wakes Colne and Earls Colne until, just as you enter Halstead after passing the small industrial estate, you take Colne Road on your right. The junction will be signed and also marshalled at the busy period before the start. You will soon arrive at the race headquarters and be directed to the adjacent car park.
From East Anglia – Travel south down the A12 driving round the Colchester bypass until you reach the A1124 Junction. See above for directions from the A12.
From Harwich Car Ferry (28 Miles) - Take the A120 to Colchester and drive round the bypass to the A1124 Junction. See above for directions from the A12.
From Felixstowe Car Ferry (37 miles) - Take the A14 to A12 junction. Travel south (London and Colchester) and drive round the Colchester bypass to the A1124 Junction. See above for directions from the A12.
From Stansted Airport See above for directions from the M11.
Question or comment? - please click here.
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