North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch walk

20.9 km (13.0 mi), of which 4.4 km (2.7 mi) on tarmac or pavements.

For a shorter or longer walk, see below. Time: 4 hours 30 minutes walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 7 and a half hours.

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, stark but beautiful, with 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.

It is possible to shorten the walk by taking the train back from Althorne, right before or after lunch, or to take a bus from the lunch pub in Althorne to South Woodham Ferrers.
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), with a rating of 2/10.
If you bring your own lunch (there are 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 and cutting 43m of ascent/descent.
An Extension near the end, further along the Crouch towards the Sea, then turning back inland through the saltmarshes and along farm tracks, adds 6.0 km (3.7 mi). This is currently map-led.

North Fambridge and Burnham-on-Crouch are on the single track Crouch Valley Line from Wickford to Southminster, with one train every 40 minutes Mon-Sat, and hourly trains Sun.
Trains to Wickford depart from Liverpool Street (journey time to Fambridge 55 mins Mon-Sat, 66 mins Sun).

The Three Horseshoes, Lower Burnham Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6DP (01621 740 307). Open Mon 18.00-22.00, Tue-Wed 12.00-15.00 and 17.00-23.30, Thu-Sat 12.00-23.30, Sun 12.00-22.30. Food served Tue-Thu 12.00-14.30 and 17.00-21.00, Fri-Sat 12.00-21.00, Sun 12.00-19.00. Located 11.5 km into the walk, the Three Horseshoes provides good value, freshly prepared food, from a wide-ranging menu. It has two bars and a large garden at the side.

Plenty of options for tea in Burnham. See the pdf for details.

After the walk, we would love to get your feedback

You can upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

Start CM3 6NE Map Directions Return to the start:

Finish CM0 8DG Map Directions Travel to the start:

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Jan-20 Thomas G