Turn right into Chapel Street, then left into the High Street by the former post office. Walk up Market Hill to the Jubilee Drinking Fountain for panoramic views of the layout of the town, and note the undulating landscape – proof that not all of Essex is flat.

Turn left into Hedingham Road (A1124), passing Halstead Hospital and the Courtauld Homes of Rest on your right. Turn left into Box Mill Lane, where several cottages and larger dwellings attest to further building by the Courtaulds.

At the end of Box Mill Lane, maintain direction into Box Mill Meadow, a fine picnic spot, and cross the footbridge over the River Colne as it flows south into the town. Two mills – a watermill and a wind-powered one – once occupied this spot. Take the footpath to the left, which later veers away from the river.

At the edge of Halstead Town Football Ground, cross the stile and maintain your direction along the footpath, which becomes a grassy track, the former route of the Halstead and Colne Valley Railway. Go straight ahead into Butler Road, which was named after R A Butler (1902–82), better known as Rab, Conservative politician and Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden. At the T-junction with Trinity Street notice the redevelopment across the road, where flats and a park area behind them now stand on the site of the old railway station.

Turn right, past an alley called Rail Yard, and walk to Holy Trinity Church on your right. Close by are some of the oldest houses in the town. Retrace your steps for a few paces and turn right just after the police station into New Street. Note the public gardens opposite the Methodist church, and turn left into Martins Road, then left again and right into Factory Lane West.

Continue ahead and turn left into The Causeway. Courtauld's old Townsford Mill is on the right, and walk ahead into Bridge Street. To the left is Halstead Library, built in 1865. Turn right to cross the bridge over the River Colne and go into the High Street to the former post office. Pause here to note the varied architecture around you. Walk along Chapel Street and return to the car park.