Wickford to Battlesbridge or South Woodham Ferrers Walk

21.1 km (13.1 mi), with 166/169m ascent/descent. For a shorther walk or an Alternative Ending see below Walk Options.

This surprisingly diverse and rural walk avoids industrial and suburban features often associated with walking in Essex, but instead leads through plenty of rolling grassy fields, along quiet lanes and through a smattering of woods, before heading through the enchanting – Essex Wildlife Trust run – Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve. After a short stretch along the reservoir itself it then heads for the lunch pub: The Old Windmill in South Hanningfield. The afternoon route leads through more pastures, valleys and wooded strips, before descending into the Crouch Valley and following the tidal River Crouch for a short stretch into Battlesbridge past its famous Antiques Centre.

An Alternative Finish in South Woodham Ferrers loops around the town through a fenland nature reserve, some saltmarshes and along the tidal River Crouch with its mudflats, sailing boats and plenty of birdlife. It is especially attractive at low tide.

Bus Line 13 (Wickford – Chelmsford) links Wickford Station with South Hanningfield, the lunch stop (every two hours, Mon-Sat).
Bus Line 3 (Southend – Chelmsford) links Battlesbridge Station with Rettendon Common, passed through in the afternoon (about every two hours, Mon-Sat). One stop is on the route and another one a few minutes’ walk away by The Rettendon Bell pub.
A Permissive Route along field boundaries south of Rettendon Common avoids two arable field crossings.

Alternative ending in South Woodham Ferrers (SWF): This ending is entirely flat, initially following a brook all the way to South Woodham Ferrers, with fields either side. It then skirts around the town, briefly passing through Woodham Fenn Nature Reserve and along Fenn Creek, to finally follow for an extended period along the tidal River Crouch and its mudflats and creeks, with Marsh Farm Country Park on the other side (a haven for birdwatchers). With five shortcuts, this version of the walk can range from 20.4 km (12.7 mi) to 29.7 km (18.5 mi). The long ending is extremely tranquil and very coastal in character and especially attractive at low tide. For a timetable of the tide at the river’s mouth (not dissimilar from the tide at SWF) look here, on the Crouch Harbour website.

Wickford Station, map reference TQ 745936, is 14 km south east of Chelmsford and 13m above sea level. Battlesbridge Station, map reference TQ 776948, is 3 km north east of Wickford and 9m above sea level. Both are in Essex. Trains to Wickford leave from Liverpool Street station via Stratford every 20 minutes (journey time 35-38 minutes) and every 15 minutes on Sundays (journey time 40 minutes). Wickford is on the Shenfield to Southend Main Line, which diverges at Shenfield from the Great Eastern Main Line. South Woodham Ferrers and Battlesbridge are on the single-track Crouch Valley Branch Line from Wickford to Southminster, with one train every 40 minutes Mon-Sat, and hourly trains Sun (journey time 50 or 53 minutes Mon-Sat and 56 minutes Sun, 4 mins longer from South Woodham Ferrers).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 10.15 hours (9.45 if walking the full South Woodham Ferrers walk).

Café on the Water (& The Tackle Shop) The Fishing Lodge, Hanningfield Reservoir, Giffords Lane, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8HX (01268 712 182). Located 8.3 km from the start of the walk.
The Old Windmill South Hanningfield Road, South Hanningfield, Essex, CM3 8HT (01268 712 280). Located 8.8 km from the start of the walk.

Several good options at the end in both Battlesbridge and South Woodham Ferrers. For details see the pdf.

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

Jun-25 Thomas G