[1] Leave Osler House Health Centre turning left then immediately left to walk along Potter Street with Osler House on the left and the Baptist Chapel across the road on the right.
Note the old milestone set inti brick wall outside Jack Stevens Close and, a little further on, the war memorial across the road on the right.
[2] Continue past the White Horse public house on left until reaching a road called Harlow Common. Cross this road, with great care, and continue to follow Potter Street until it reaches the junction with the A414, where there is a large van sales centre on the left and the Miller and Carter public house across the road on the right.
[3] Turn left to walk in front of 'Vanwise' until reaching the BP Connect service station.
[4] Turn left onto a signposted footpath which passes between 'Vanwise' and the forecourt of the BP Connect service station. Continue to reach a small opening in the hedge, in the corner, with a footpath marker post and a sign saying Strictly no motor cycles. Follow the footpath across a field, keeping just to the right of a single oak tree, towards some trees with another footpath marker post and some metal bollards.
Note the sign, on the righthand side of the footpath, just behind the BP Connect service station, which gives details of the reedbed.
[5] Pass through the metal bollards and, immediately, turn left onto a footpath which has hedgerow on the left and wire fencing on the right. Continue along this footpath until it passes through a gate and then reaches a road.
Watch for squirrels, horses in the adjacent field, and other wildlife.
[6] Cross the road, carefully, and look for a gap in the hedge diagonally opposite by a large tree. (A church can be seen on the far side of the common.) Go through this gap and bear left to walk diagonally across the field heading towards the White Horse public House [2]. Continue across a wooden bridge to reach Potter Street and bear right, to pass in front of the White Horse. Continue straight ahead on Potter Street to return to Osler House [1].
1 This route is partly on grass paths and fields and is unsuitable for wheelchairs or prams. It may be very muddy following wet weather.
2. Harlow Common is a very busy road and should be crossed with great care.
3. Harlow Common is used for grazing horses which are tethered but be cautious if approaching them.