West Mersea walks

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.

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.

A circular walk from Maldon through farmland to Hoe Mill Lock, returning along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.

This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.

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.

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!

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!

This circular walk through the countryside of Suffolk includes a section alongside the River Orwell. The route takes you inland passing Erwarton Hall and the fine church at Church End to the banks of the Orwell from where you can see Felixstowe Docks. The walk then heads north along the Orwell following the Stout and Orwell Walk.

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).

On the ‘Wherstead Woodlands’ walk, you can see more ancient woodland, the Stalls Valley, farmland and the villages of Wherstead and Freston.

A walk across salt marshes with numerous birds and returning inland via the ruined Hadleigh Castle. Highly accessible from London as the Fenchurch Street line takes under an hour to get you to the start.