The mystery of the missing museum

Our walk today started from Harlow Museum.  The car park was closed, so we parked in a nearby road.  A notice on the door said it was open at 9:30, we were well past that.  Never mind, we set off, but because we are not good with understanding where we are, we headed the wrong way.  

We soon came to Harlowbury Chapel, which it appears is not open to the public, but is thought to be the oldest intact building in Harlow, it dates from the Normans. 

Harlowbury Chapel from Marigolds recreation ground

Arriving at the Green Man, we have now joined the prescribed route and know (roughly) where we are.  So, having achieved that major milestone, it is time for tea.  

The Green Man

Having enjoyed our tea, and the unordered home-made chocolate cookie that was provided with it - it was time to continue.  On the green opposite there is a British Oak, it is surrounded by a sturdy little fence with a plaque that reads:

BRITISH OAK

Planted in Commemoration of the

CORONATION

of

His Majesty

KING EDWARD VII

by voluntary subscriptions

June 26TH 1902

 

We left the area down a footpath between the ambulance station (now disused), and the fire station (still in use, with a rescue fire engine inside!)

Ambulance Station and Fire Station

Then across some fields and around others, the path is shown as a straight line on the map, but is anything but on the ground, finally we arrive at the church.  I'm pretty sure that the route we were supposed to have taken was different to the one we took, but again we got to where we were supposed to be.

St. Mary's and St. Hugh's

The picture does not do the building justice, other angles would be required to show its true extent.  As we are now where we should be, it is time for lunch, in the almost adjacent pub - The Queen's Head.  It's Thai food, but not spicy and very tasty.  There appears to be only one other customer, and he seems to have a 'work from pub' day as he desperately tries to find a stronger Wi-Fi signal and power for his laptop.

The Queen's Head

From there it is a straight forward walk across fields and building sites until we get back to where we started, and via the cycle path route that we should have followed on the outward journey.

We have passed many old buildings, houses that were established and provided for the 'poor widows' of the parish.  They all appeared to be in good condition and occupied.  Old Harlow speaks to us of a different time, unfortunately it appears it is about to be overwhelmed by the 'little boxes' that make up modern housing. The ones we saw looked cheap.

So what of the missing museum?  On our return, we tried again to get into the museum. The indicated large wooden door is firmly locked, and so are the gates next to it.  Round the back, the car park is now unlocked.  Ever hopeful, we try the first wrought iron gate - it opens  - we are in the walled garden.  Through another wrought iron gate and we are in a courtyard.  There is a glass door with 'Welcome' etched into it.  That too is locked, it also has a paper sign that says 'Exit'.  On the other side of the courtyard is a paper sign saying 'Entrance'.  We were fooled again.  The door opens into a very small foyer with a reception desk, but no receptionist.  The doors on the other side of the foyer are both firmly locked, we can hear voices, but whether they come from people physically present is unprovable.  The museum appears to be there, but in reality it is missing.

We left, disappointed, and headed home.