South Woodham Ferrers to North Fambridge walk

25.7 km (16.0 mi), of which 4.4 km (2.7 mi) on tarmac or pavements. Cumulative ascent/descent: 268m.

South Woodham Ferrers and North Fambridge are on the single-track Crouch Valley Line from Wickford to Southminster, with at least one train an hour Mon-Fri, one every 40 minutes Sat, and hourly trains Sun (journey time about 50 minutes, and 6 minutes longer on the return from North Fambridge). Trains to Wickford depart from Liverpool Street.

Saturday Walkers' Club: Take the train closest to 10.00 hours.

This varied walk offers splendid views of the Crouch Valley and some mildly undulating landscape. After winding its way out of South Woodham Ferrers through some fields, it leads across plenty of rolling hills and past the large RHS Garden at Hyde Hall, then passes through an overgrown cemetery dense with in bluebells in season and along more fields to lunch. The afternoon route passes a couple more bluebell woods as well as some vineyards and then 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.

Early Finish: take a bus from the lunch pub in East Hanningfield to Battlesbridge (infrequent service).
Alternative Ending back in South Woodham Ferrers (19.4 km/12.0 mi).
Shortcut in North Fambridge: use a more direct route to the station (22.9 km/14.2 mi).
Extension in North Fambridge: add more riverside walking (28.8 km/17.9 mi).

The Prince of Wales, Woodham Road, Stow Maries, Essex CM3 6SA, 01621 828 971. Open 11.00-late every day, food served 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-21.00. Located 8.3 km from the end of the full walk.
The Ferry Boat Inn, Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex CM3 6LR, 01621 738 844. Open all day every day, food served 12.00-22.00 Fri-Sat and 12.00-20.00 Sun-Thu. Located 2.1 km from the end of the walk. A 500-year-old riverside inn, recently completely refurbished.

The Railway, 50 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5NG, 01245 323 300. Open all day every day. Right by the station on the Alternative Ending in South Woodham Ferrers

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 5NQ Map Directions Return to the start:

Finish CM3 6NE Map Directions Travel to the start:

🚧

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

May-21 Thomas G