Quiet routes from East London to Colchester

When things open up again, I've promised to take a friend on a mini "tour" from London to a friend's woodland near Colchester where we'll camp. She's not done much touring before, so wanted to go on quieter routes if possible. Google is routing me straight down the A road from Romford to Chelmsford and beyond, so I was looking for something a little less busy, though I've also had some unpleasant experiences on Essex roads before...

GPX routes I can put on my Garmin would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Have a search on RideWithGPS, plenty of very nice routes on there that follow quiet lanes, once you're out of east London. Or, you can draw your own route and download it

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29516307

The nicest way is by doing a big scoop under Chelmsford through South Hanningfield way or go all the way over Chelmsford and Braintree, maybe through Finchingfield direction (though that's much longer). Can advise further if needed. Used to live in Colchester.

Sorry, missed both these. Thanks for the route and the tips! Gonna try this out one weekend in April. Someone else sent me a route that dips below Chelmsford and goes through West Hanningfield which looks nice so will take one of the two: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28929707

Looks a fun ride, you need to ford a river at around 26.5 miles, but there is a raised bank you can walk across if it's moving to quick or is too deep.
(My zone of terror used to be a ride up from Laindon, through Billericay, to Mountnessing and either session a loop there climbing, or head out to Fryerning, round to Blackmore, stop for cake, onto Doddington, head home, stop for a pint if the pubs were opening, was only 50ish miles in total, but at worst it was only 13 miles to home.)

Enjoy the ride!

My vote is for the second one. I have never went to Colchester, but the route until Maldon I know is great.

Welcome Essex FG and SS riders

How was the ride and which route did you take in the end?

Hi went from Alresford via Torrington to Weeley taking in 2 long hills. Wonderful