Tollesbury Wick Marshes from Tollesbury
Departure from Tollesbury (Essex)
An Essex walk that explores the salt marshes between the village of Tollesbury and the River Blackwater. Tollesbury has much of interest inclusing a bustling marina, restored sail lofts and a preserved lightship.
Two Colnes Circular
Departure from Earls Colne (Essex)
A walk from Earls Colne to Colne Engaine and return, via some unspoiled North Essex countryside. There are a couple of short sections on quiet lanes but for the most part it's fields and woods all the way. Sections of the walk run along the Colne Valley Path and the route never strays far from the River Colne.
Two Tothams Pub
Departure from Great Totham (Essex)
Starting and ending in Great Totham, this walk visits The Swan in Little Totham - a fine, privately owned freehouse, built in the 16th century.
For those not wanting, or are unable, to visit the pub, an amended route is given.
Flatford Mill
Departure from Brantham (Suffolk)
A walk along the River Stour incorporating sections of the Stour Valley Path, the Essex Way and St Edmund's Way.
Flatford Mill is the idyllic English country scene encapsulated by John Constables renowned paintings including the instantly recognizable 'Haywain'. This circular route is an exceptional walk by all accounts and the perfect way to engross oneself in this landscape that sits on the Suffolk and Essex border.
Wickham Bishops Circular
Departure from Wickham Bishops (Essex)
An easy stroll in the countryside near Wickham Bishops, departing close to the redundant St Peter's church, passing beneath the last wooden railway viaduct in the country and then along the meandering banks of the River Blackwater. The return passes through woodland and has some excellent views across the Essex countryside. This is an all-seasons walk but is particularly good in spring and autumn.
Maldon to Hoe Mill Circular
Departure from Maldon (Essex)
A circular walk from Maldon through farmland to Hoe Mill Lock, returning along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.
Hatfield Peverel Circular
Departure from Hatfield Peverel (Essex)
A pleasant stroll in the Essex countryside along field paths, secluded lanes and a stretch of river bank. Along the way there is an 18th century former priory, a canal lock (and tearoom), the delightfully named World's End Cottage, a ford and the Parish Church of St. Andrew.
Another Hatfield Peverel Circular
Departure from Hatfield Peverel (Essex)
Pleasant stroll in the Essex countryside at Hatfield Peverel along field paths, secluded lanes and a quiet stretch of the river bank.
Terling Circular
Departure from Terling (Essex)
A countryside walk beginning and ending in the village of Terling. Nothing spectacular about the route but it has some nice views and pleasant countryside, passes an old windmill and a rare round tower church. The route follows the course of the River Ter in places, and there are quite a few springs along the way, so it can get muddy. There are a couple of woods with excellent displays of bluebells in the spring but it is a good walk for any time of year. Waymarking is generally excellent.
Details are given for a shorter walk of 4 miles that does not visit Great Leighs church.
Alton Water Reservoir
Departure from Stutton (Suffolk)
Located on the Shotley peninsular, the Alton Water Reservoir provides an easy walk around its water. A self contained circular route that needs little in the way of maps. Just keep the water on your right and keep walking! The mixed variety of landscapes of open meadow, woods and even the hills on the northern side of the reservoir provide a constant changing scenery throughout the walk. In all this is a great walk with some pleasing panoramas and ever changing views of the reservoir.
Across the Dam and Up the Creek
Departure from Stutton (Suffolk)
This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!
Wildlife and Wonder
Departure from Stutton (Suffolk)
This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!
Woodham Walter Circular
Departure from Woodham Walter (Essex)
This walk, close to the ancient village of Woodham Walter, offers a nature reserve, arable fields, woodland and The Wilderness. The route is along bridleways and footpaths for the most part, with a couple of short sections on country lanes. There are only two cross-field paths so it's a good winter walk but, like any Essex hike, it can be muddy after rain.
Three Pubs Circular
Departure from Purleigh (Essex)
A circular walk from Purleigh that passes close to three excellent pubs using footpaths, bridleways, byways and short sections of country lanes. It joins St Peter's Way here and there, follows a disused railway track and goes through vineyards before meeting a WW1 airfield. A walk for all seasons, although sections can be muddy after rain.
Please see the Useful Information section for important information regarding the aerodrome.
Ridge and River
Departure from Little Baddow (Essex)
A circular walk that circumnavigates the village of Little Baddow. Beginning in Lingwood Common, the route follows bridleways, footpaths, the river towpath and quiet country lanes. A good walk for any time of year, but not after spells of prolonged rain when the towpath, especially, can become something of a quagmire. Walking it in spring is highly recommended as Blake's Wood is nationally known for its display of bluebells.
Into the Valley of Wherstead
Departure from Wherstead (Suffolk)
The historic villages of Wherstead and Freston are great for exploring the unique farmed and estuary landscapes of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The walks take in Freston Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
More walks in Colchester
Discover also walks in surrounding cities:
- Goldhanger
- Great and Little Wigborough
- Great Braxted
- Great Bromley
- Great Henny
- Great Horkesley
- Great Tey
- Great Totham
- Heybridge
- Heybridge Basin
- Higham
- Holton St Mary
- Lamarsh
- Langenhoe
- Langham
- Lawford
- Layer Breton
- Layer Marney
- Layer-de-la-Haye
- Leavenheath
- Little Cornard
- Little Henny
- Little Horkesley
- Little Totham
- Maldon
- Marks Tey
- Messing-cum-Inworth
- Mile End
- Mount Bures
- Nayland-with-Wissington
- Pebmarsh
- Peldon
- Polstead
- Raydon
- Salcott
- Shelley
- Stanway
- Stoke-by-Nayland
- Stratford St. Mary
- Thorrington
- Tiptree
- Tollesbury
- Tolleshunt D'Arcy
- Tolleshunt Knights
- Tolleshunt Major
- Twinstead
- Virley
- Wakes Colne
- Wenham Magna
- Wenham Parva
- West Bergholt
- West Mersea
- White Colne
- Wivenhoe
- Wormingford