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.

See web page


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.

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:

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Circular route from Witham 16 miles.

Witham to the Dolphin

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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

From Cressing


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

OutReturn
  • 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

OutReturn
  • 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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