North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch walk

Follow the tidal River Crouch eastwards towards the North Sea atop the sea wall. Wide open and scenic countryside, mudflats, creeks, rich bird life, sailing boats and marinas.

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 04-Dec-22 Sunday Walk - Mudflats and Birdlife on a tidal river, and some Big Skies: North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 3 overcast with a cold easterly breeze
Sun, 05-Dec-21 Sunday Walk - Mudflats and Birdlife on a tidal river, and some Big Skies: North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 3 dry with patchy clouds and sunny intervals
Sat, 11-Jan-20 Saturday Walk A Near Full Wolf Moon over the River Crouch 14 overcast with a strong wind from the right behind
Sun, 04-Aug-19 Sunday Walk: Along the River Crouch with mudflats and bird life 4 warm and hazy with a breeze later sunny
Sun, 09-Dec-18 Sunday Walk - Mudflats and Birdlife on a tidal river, and some Big Skies: North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 4 surprisingly sunny conditions with a steady tailwind
Sun, 15-Oct-17 Sunday Walk - Mudflats and Birdlife on a tidal river, a Regatta & Big Skies: North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 18 sunny with a breeze from behind
Sat, 07-Jan-17 Saturday Second Walk - Along the seawall of the tidal River Crouch: mudflats, creeks, marshlands & 'big skies' 18 dry weather with low clouds
Sat, 07-Mar-15 North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 19
Sat, 23-Aug-14 North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 6
Sat, 11-May-13 North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch 4
Wed, 05-Sep-12 North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch
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 09.22 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (09.29 Stratford [Crossrail and Jubilee Line], 09.38 Romford, 09.47 Shenfield), change at Wickford onto the Southminster service (10.00/10.06), arrives North Fambridge 10.20.
Return trains from Burnham are hourly on xx.10 (73 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).
Tea : you are spoilt for choice for cafes, 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
  • Sun, 04-Dec-22

    3 on the walk in overcast with a cold easterly breeze weather.

    Just the 1 luncher, who had to beg to get served at the fully booked Three Horseshoes and didn't see the other 2 again after lunch. 16.10 train for the luncher.

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 09.22 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (09.29 Stratford, 09.38 Romford etc.), change at Wickford onto the Southminster service (10.00/10.06), arrives North Fambridge 10.20.
Return trains from Burnham are hourly on xx.10 (73 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).
Tea : you are spoilt for choice for cafes, 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
  • Sun, 05-Dec-21

    A select group set off on a simple but very enjoyable route. As long as the river was on the right not too much could go wrong. Nothing wrong with the weather. A gentle wind, no rain, patchy cloud, sunny intervalsin the afternoon.

    Lunchtime did go slightly wrong. Having not booked at the Three Horse Shoes, we were told there wasn't room for 3 walkers.

    However, The Victoria Inn in Burnham provided a warm welcome. The Sunday roast was not eaten (or ordered) but looked good. Back to London on 16.10.

  • Sun, 05-Dec-21

    3 dry with patchy clouds and sunny intervals

Stargazer
SWC Walk 162: North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch (with optional moonlit extension) t=swc.162

Distance: 13.0 Miles or 20.9 km for those more metrically minded (short-cuts reducing the walk to 10.9 miles/17.4 km are described in the walk notes and the potential moonlit extension can be of various lengths)

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:35 AM Greater Anglia Southend train from London Liverpool Street (9:42 Stratford), changing at Wickford arriving 10:11, departing 10:16 (step lively across the platform), ultimately arriving North Fambridge at 10:20. Return trains from Burnham-on-Crouch are at XX:00 and 40 past odd hours and XX:20 past even hours. Buy a day return to Burnham-on-Crouch.

This walk makes a lovely outing on a winter’s day with the soft lighting providing quintessential Turneresque landscapes along the way. It mainly follows the banks of the River Crouch from North Fambridge to the North Sea with a small diversion to Althorne for lunch. As a special treat tonight – should the conditions cooperate – you can watch a nearly full wolf moon (named as such because wolves typically do quite a bit of howling in January/February – preparing for the mating season) rise from the North Sea. You should arrive in Burnham about 16:00 and should have time for tea or stiffer refreshies before those who wish reassemble about 17:00 (moonrise is 17:01) for a moonlit extension on the river bank out to where the sea meets the river…..This extension can either be out and back or circular and can be adapted based on desired length – you should bring a map print-out if doing a circular route! You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

The only lunch stop is the Three Horseshoes (01621 740 307) in Althorne (7.0 miles/11.5 km into the walk). Tea and other late afternoon refreshments can be had at various watering-holes in Burnham-on-Crouch described in the walk notes.

Enjoy the walk!
  • Tue, 07-Jan-20

    On Friday, out of interest, there is going to be a "penumbral eclipse" of the moon from 5pm to 9pm: this means it turns a bit of a funny colour, apparently

  • Fri, 10-Jan-20

    There is also the earlier 09.13 train to Wickford, should you be nervous of the 5 minute connection there. The coffee kiosk at Wickford may (or may not) be open...

  • Sandy
    Fri, 10-Jan-20

    Thanks for the tip Walker - I've just been out looking at it. I'd say the darker shading is just about discernable with binoculars.

  • Sat, 11-Jan-20

    13 walkers off the train in overcast with a strong wind from the right behind type conditions. Having walked this many a times in all seasons, I found it surprisingly muddy today, even on the seawall, which is usually grassy and firm. Slithery rather than deep mud, but still...

    Plenty of birds were seen fighting the fierce wind: (not being an expert) waders, geese, ducks, egrets, what looked like a (small) starling murmuration and a larger flock of larger birds doing murmuration-type things. We started at low tide with mudflats exposed and had a joyful first half of the walk before turning up to the lunch pub, the Three Horseshoes. The Walk Poster had booked a table, and the 6 lunchers enjoyed tasty portions, later joined by 5 picnickers (2 others had marched on to Burnham, w/o diverting to the pub).

    Upon rejoining the riverbank, we spotted another walker just an inlet behind, who never caught us, but we later saw him in Burnham munching on Fish & Chips (he had started from Althorne station, at halfway point, and stayed on for the extension). 14

    With The Georgian Tea Rooms shut (for winter?), we found a new place, the Ground Coffee House, which was nice. The rest had gone to the Star Inn, where we joined them after tea.

    7 agreed to do the moonlight extension, the rest heading for the 17.00 train. The moon was conspiciously abesnt on account of being hidden behind clouds, but there was still plenty of eerie light refraction about, enabling us to avoid using headtorches apart from when studying the map or negotiating muddy stretches. The route chosen was circular, out along the river towards the North Sea, then turn inland through the salt marshes (and past plenty info panels) back towards Burnham. It was joyful, so much that I will lobby the walk author to include it as an optional extension.

    3 on the 19.00 train, 4 chose one more drink in The New Welcome Sailor.

  • Sat, 11-Jan-20

    What struck me on the night walk was how dark it was out on the Essex marshes. Mostly in the south east there is a glow on the horizon from London or sone other town. But today to the east and north east was impressively black. It would be a good area for stargazing, I think.

North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch
Length: 20.9km (13 miles) or 14.5km (9.1 miles)

Toughness: 3/10 or 2/10

10:08 Ipswich train from Liverpool Street changing at Stratford (arr 10:16; dep 10:30) and at Wickford (arr 11:01; dep 11:06) to arrive at North Fambridge at 11:20.

Return trains from Burnham-on-Crouch to Liverpool Street, changing at Wickford and Shenfield, are at xx:10 (journey time 1 hr 27 mins).

This walk follows the tidal River Crouch eastwards towards the North Sea, mainly atop the sea wall. You’ll experience huge skies, scenic countryside, salt marshes, mudflats, creeks, rich bird life, sailing boats and marinas, finishing along the promenade in Burnham-on-Crouch. Lunch is at The Three Horseshoes (01621 740307) 11.5km into the walk in Althorne, requiring a detour inland. There are plenty of options for tea in Burnham.

If you take a packed lunch to avoid the detour, and also take short cuts at the start and the end, the length of the walk can be cut to 9 miles. You can also finish the walk at lunchtime by returning from Althorne station (trains at xx:15).

You will need to download the walk directions.

t=swc.162
  • Sat, 03-Aug-19

    Looks like there are no trains tomorrow between Liv Street and Stratford, and what the journey planner shows is a tube transfer, i.e. Central Line. Best to describe it as a Stratford start therefore! At 10.30...

  • Sun, 04-Aug-19

    Just 2 off the Stratford-originating train in warm and hazy with a breeze later sunny weather. Some good displays of Red Samphire in the Salt Marshes, plenty of wildflowers still on display on the seawall and in the neighbouring pastures. Lots of butterflies and insects, incl. plenty of red-bodied dragonflies. Add the mudflats (it was low tide at the start of the walk) and plenty of birdlife, the sailing and other boats, and we had an almighty fine scenery.

    Walker 1 picnicked by the river in Althorne, Walker 2 found some nourishment on a damson tree pathside to keep him going, and - for once - forewent his usual pub lunch and headed straight for Burnham and a Kaffee und Kuchen extravaganza, later on washed down with a pint of locally brewed liquid bread at The Queen's Head.

    Always a nice walk.

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 04-Aug-19

    I was on the walk, possibly about two hours behind. With a friend. Lovely walk indeed. Picnic by the marina at Althorpe. Beer and food in Old White Harte BOC excellent, and the dark mild in The New Welcome Sailor near the station was beyond good. Great day, thanks for posting. Gavin

  • Sun, 04-Aug-19

    4

Length: 20.9 km (13.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 127/120m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Take the 10.14 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (10.21 Stratford, 10.34 Romford etc.), change at Wickford onto the Southminster service (arr. 11.03, dep. 11.06), arrives North Fambridge 11.20. Nervous about the 3-minute connection in Wickford (the connecting train typically does NOT wait)? Take the 09.44 train from L’pool Street…
Return trains from Burnham are hourly on xx.21 (68 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.
Note: earlier in the year, the section of riverside footpath between Althorne and Creeksea was closed for works on the sea wall. Should – against expectations – the works still be blocking the path, an alternative route has been added to map and gpx file.
Lunch is at the family-run The Three Horseshoes in Althorne(11.5 km/7.2 mi). For tea, you are spoilt for choice for cafes, restaurants and pubs in Burnham (we might even manage to gate crash the bar at The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club again in its stunning location overhanging the river estuary…). For details on all these options consult the Walk Directions pdf.
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos, a video and gpx/kml files click here . T=swc.162
  • Tue, 11-Dec-18

    4 set off from North Fambridge in surprisingly sunny conditions with a steady tailwind for this winter's walk through a Turner painting...The group split almost immediately with 2 doing the more direct short start and 2 the main walk. We regrouped just before the lunch diversion (and an ominous footpath closure sign). Three had good value lunches at the pub with the picnicker joining for a hot drink. After lunch, 2 headed off on the alternate route and 2 felt it their civic SWC duty to inspect the footpath closure more closely...While there is indeed a barrier, it is passable. Inspection of the various mud-prints along the closed seawall would imply that we were not the only transgressors, unless Essex is enlisting the use of pooches in their seawall revamping project. Overall, the route is passable with work in a few spots on both sides of the wall -- though would likely be more challenging during the week when workers would more likely be present. In the afternoon, the early sunset along the river with some passing clouds was really beautiful. In Burnham, the 2 river walkers made a pass through town and planned to stop at a pub nearer the station -- but decided to catch the 17:10 (with provisions) and met the 2 alternate route walkers on the platform for a pleasant journey home.

Length: 20.9 km (13.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 127/120m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Take the 10.14 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (10.23 Stratford, 10.34 Romford etc.), change at Wickford onto the Southminster service (arr. 11.03, dep. 11.06), arrives North Fambridge 11.20. Nervous about the 3 minute connection in Wickford (the connecting train typically does NOT wait)? Take the 09.44 train from L’pool Street…
Return trains from Burnham are hourly on xx.10 (80 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, on the last day of The Endeavour Trophy regatta. 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 is at the family-run The Three Horseshoes in Althorne (11.5 km/7.2 mi). For tea, you are spoilt for choice for cafes, restaurants and pubs in Burnham (we might even manage to gate crash the bar at The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club again in its stunning location overhanging the river estuary…). For details on all these options consult the Walk Directions pdf.
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos, a video and gpx/kml files click here . T=swc.162
  • Sun, 15-Oct-17

    Always a nice walk, whatever the weather, whatever the season, in my opinion, but especially so when it's sunny with a breeze from behind , and the tide is low, the mudbanks are exposed and the birdlife is busy, as it was today.

    18 walkers today, 13 or 14 of which went to the lunch pub. Some were quite happy with their food, others had some grumbles, but outside in the sun, this didn't really matter all that much. 9 of us then had a very good cream tea (or just tea) in Burnham at the Georgian Tea Gardens and most of those then also had a drink on the wooden terrace of the Ye Olde White Hart pub, overhanging the river. 18.10 train for those. Purrrfect day.

SWC 162 - North Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch
Length: 20.9 km (13.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 127/120m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Take the 09.35 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street , change at Wickford onto the Southminster service (arr. 10.11, dep. 10.16), arrives North Fambridge 10.30.
Concerned about the 5 minute changeover time? (the Southminster train does NOT wait in case of delays). T ake the 09.13 Southend Victoria train ...
Return trains from Burnham are every 40 mins: 15.40, 16.20, 17.00, 17.40,…, 23.00 (70 mins journey time).
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.
This walk should be mud-free after the first couple of field boundaries early on…
For a neutral view on the walk check the comment dated 16/08/15 here or check out the photos or even the video on our website.
Shortcuts:
- 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).
- 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 is at the family-run The Three Horseshoes in Althorne (11.5 km/7.2 mi). For tea, you are spoilt for choice for cafes, restaurants and pubs in Burnham (we might even manage to gate crash the bar at The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club again in its stunning location overhanging the river estuary…). For details on all these options consult the Walk Directions.
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos, a video and gpx/kml files click here .T=swc.162
  • Sat, 07-Jan-17

    18 walkers in dry weather with low clouds /mist. The seawall path was unexpectedly muddy in a few places, but mostly fine to walk along. More difficult were the few stiles and the one plank bridge: all slitherey and dangerous, resulting in one comical (injury-free) backwards fall. The route was amazingly quiet today, even by the standards of this remote walk. No other hikers and only very few dog walkers, so we had the scenery to ourselves and the birds.

    Mudflats and creeks were exposed for the duration, as we had low tide all the way, making for interesting scenery unlike any other walk I am aware of on this site.

    12 pub lunchers and 2 sandwichers walked up to Althorne, the rest continued directly to Burnham. The Three Horseshoes served the - by now familiar - huge portions of tasty, good-value-for-money grub. And they even had space inside for all of us.

    2 then took the train from Althorne to Burnham for a mosey.The rest reached the town in time for tea, only to find the first tea shop still shut for year end.

    Not to worry, the Quayside Cafe and Restaurant a little further along the promenade served decent cakes and (bagged) tea. Most of the tea-drinkers then joined 4 others for a drink at the Royal Yacht Club (the Corinthians Yacht Club was shut for the day). 17.00 train for the backmarkers.

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 08-Jan-17

    The two who left the group after lunch enjoyed tea at Royal Burnham Yacht Club with fantastic view of peaceful sea - highly recommended.