Length: 20.9 km (13.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 126/120m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness: 2 out of 10
Take the 09.33 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (09.40
Stratford [DLR, Overground, Crossrail and Jubilee and Central Lines], 09.56
Shenfield [Crossrail]), change at Wickford onto the Southminster
service (10.08/10.15), which arrives North Fambridge 10.29.
Return trains from Burnham-on-Crouch are every 40 minutes:
15.37, 16.17, 16.57, 17.37 etc. (from 71 mins journey
time). Buy a Burnham-on-Crouch return.
Serenity, tranquillity, solitude: you’ll find lots of it on this walk on
the Dengie Peninsula in Essex, which largely
follows the tidal River Crouch eastwards towards the North Sea,
on a wide grassy path atop the sea wall, and with the prevailing wind in the
back. Far away from any conurbations, you’ll experience wide open and scenic
countryside, constantly changing river views, salt marshes, reed ponds,
mudflats, creeks, rich bird life, sailing boats and marinas, to then end along
the promenade in charming Burnham-on-Crouch, with its plethora of tea
options. Flat throughout (apart from the diversion inland for lunch at the good
value pub The Three Horseshoes in Althorne), and with exceptionally easy route
finding.
Shortcuts:
· It is possible to shorten the walk by taking the train back from
Althorne, just before/after lunch.
· You can also cut short the approach to the river from Fambridge
station in the morning by using a more direct route (cuts 1.4 km/0.9 mi) or cut
the Burnham ending short by using a more direct route to the station (cuts 2.1
km/1.3 mi).
· Taking both shortcuts therefore reduces the length of the walk to 17.4
km (10.9 mi).
· Finally, if you bring your own lunch (no shops along the route) for a
picnic by the river, you can cut out the walk inland to the lunch pub, reducing
the walk by 2.9 km/1.8 mi.
Lunch: The Three Horseshoes in Althorne (11.5
km/7.2 mi, open all day, phone: 01621 740307).
Tea: you are spoilt for choice for cafés, restaurants
and pubs in Burnham. For details consult the Walk Directions pdf.
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos,
a video and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.162
2 comments:
10 on a sunny day with a cool breeze, near ideal walking conditions. Group split into two before the pub stop. Three had sandwiches then continued on to Burnham for afternoon tea. Didn't see the other seven again. Catching the 3.41pm train back to London.
The other seven continued on to the pub for lunch where 5 ordered and two had sandwiches before rejoining for a drink. While waiting a famous SWC walk poster/author arrived (not the poster of this walk who to the relief of some did not make an appearance, but one seen rarely northeast of London) having taken the train direct to Althorne with the intention of doing the second half of the walk. So that made n=11 in total. The wait for the food was long due to a thinly staffed service with one poor soul in the kitchen, so the two sandwichers pushed on. When the food did arrive the portions were generous and pronounced tasty.
There was some discussion of the merits of the walk with some feeling it a bit ‘samey’ and others appreciating the quiet beauty. One walker opted to return to London so 5 pushed on. The second half of the walk saw more wildlife including a convocation of about a couple hundred Brent Geese engaged in much excited chatter though they quieted down once the last walker had passed.
As they entered into town the other two sandwichers were spotted finishing up at a pub before heading to the train station. The five did a loop around to admire the architectural marvel that was the royal yatch club building before heading back along the high street to find at least one coffee house open after four pm. After a nice refuelling stop they made it to the station in time to catch the 16:57 back. All in all a lovely day out.
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