Walks Day walks # 159

South Woodham Ferrers to North Fambridge walk

Long and varied walk in the Crouch valley across hilly parts of Essex, with some challenging field crossings and a serene riverside finish.

Length	25.5 km (15.9 mi), of which 4.4 km (2.7 mi) on tarmac or pavements. Cumulative ascent/descent: 305m.
Toughness	6 out of 10 (7 out of 10 in summer due to some challenging field crossings)
OS Maps	OS Landranger Map: 167 (Chelmsford) and 168 (Colchester). OS Explorer Map: 175 (Southend-on-Sea & Basildon) and 183 (Chelmsford & The Rodings).
Walk Notes	This varied and fairly hilly walk (for a flat County) offers splendid views of the Crouch Valley and some undulating landscape. After winding its way out of South Woodham Ferrers through some fields, it leads across plenty of rolling hills and past a RHS Garden, then passes through an overgrown cemetery and along more fields to lunch. The afternoon route features an extended stretch between trees on a long disused railway line and finishes very serenely after tea, along the tidal River Crouch and through the grassy salt marshes of Blue House Farm Nature Reserve.
Walk options	It is possible to shorten the walk by taking a bus from the lunch pub in East Hanningfield to Battlesbridge (infrequent service). You can also take an Alternative Ending back to South Woodham Ferrers (19.2 km/11.9 mi, rated 4/10), cut the North Fambridge ending short by using a more direct route to the station (22.6 km/14.1 mi, rated 5/10) or extend the walk to add more riverside walking (28.5 km/17.8 mi, rated 7/10).
Lunch	The Folly Bistro, The Tye, East Hanningfield, Chelmsford CM3 8AA, 01245 400 315, food served 12.00-14.30 & 18.00-21.30 Mon-Sat and 12.00-19.30 Sun.
Tea	The Prince of Wales, Woodham Road, Stow Maries, Essex CM3 6SA, 01621 828 971. The Ferry Boat Inn, Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex CM3 6LR.

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By Train	Out (not a train station) Back (not a train station)
By Car	Start CM3 5NQ Map Directions Return to the start: Finish CM3 6NE Map Directions Travel to the start:
Amazon	OS Explorer 175 OS Explorer 183 Essex Coast Walks
Help	Start walking Large print Using GPS data National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline SE (bus times): 0871 200 2233 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234
Version	Oct-18
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