Saltmarsh - Tollesbury
Saltmarsh Trail at North Fambridge
Causeway to Northey Island, the site of the Battle of Maldon

Walking the Saltmarsh Trail

The Saltmarsh Trail, which stretches for 75 miles, can be undertaken as a single challenge, or broken into a series of interesting walks

Make no mistake, if you choose to run or walk the Saltmarsh Trail in its entirety, it will challenge you both physically and mentally. Ultra-marathons take place on this route, with a cut-off time for walkers of 30 continuous hours, which gives you some idea of the magnitude of the undertaking!

There are limited facilities along the route – part of the challenge is the isolation – so make sure you have emergency supplies, head torch and a mobile phone, plus a map or GPS, if you are planning to cover the whole trail in one hit.

But you don't have to be an endurance runner to enjoy the Saltmarsh Trail - because there are villages and towns along the route it can easily be broken into shorter walks. If you are planning on doing the trail over several days, or just dipping in and out, you will find facilities in the following locations:

Near Salcott – there are no facilities in Salcott itself, but you’ll find self-catering accommodation at Ship Ahoy Cottages, almost right on the sea wall near the Old Hall Marshes nature reserve, and luxury all-inclusive short breaks at Potters Resort Five Lakes nearby.

Tollesbury – you will find toilets in Woodrolfe Car Park and various cafes and pubs by the waterside. Tollesbury Marina has a campsite and Harbour View Bistro & Bar. A short walk into the village centre leads to more facilities, including shops and a pharmacy.

Goldhanger – if you head off the sea wall and into the village there are a couple of pubs, The Chequers Inn and The Cricketers, serving food and drink.

Osea area – as you pass the causeway to Osea Island (private) you will find two seawall cafes, Osea View Café Bar and the Beach House Bar. Camping and glamping is available at Osea Leisure Park and luxury accommodation at Osea Island Resort.

Heybridge Basin – there is a selection of pubs and cafes around the seawall.

Heybridge – the route passes briefly through the built-up area of Heybridge. Here you will find supermarkets with customer toilet facilities, fast food, cafes and restaurants. There are several options for accommodation here, including a Travelodge.

Maldon – the route heads towards Promenade Park, passing two riverside pubs, The Queen’s Head and Fish on the Quay. In the park itself there are toilets and cafes. Detour into the town centre and you will find several pharmacies, places to eat and drink, shops and hotels.

Mundon – a short walk from the sea wall, Mundon has a pub, the Mundon White Horse, and there are glamping pods at Southey Creek Glamping.

Maylandsea – there are pubs and cafes near the seawall and a few shops, including a pharmacy, slightly inland.

St Lawrence/Steeple Bay (around the halfway mark) – there’s a pub on the seawall, The Stone Inn, plus The Dairy Store convenience shop and St Lawrence Inn slightly inland. Static caravan accommodation is available at Steeple Bay Holiday Park.

Bradwell Marina – there are public toilets and the Munchies cafe at Bradwell Marina and The Green Man pub at Bradwell Waterside

Othona Community – accommodation and food may be available at the Othona Community (must be prebooked).

Burnham-on-Crouch – Burnham is the second largest town along the route and you will find a wide range of food and drink options, shops including a supermarket and pharmacy, public toilets and overnight accommodation, including camping at Silver Road Caravan Park and Creeksea Place Caravan Park.

North Fambridge – The Ferry Boat Inn is a pub restaurant with rooms, plus there’s the River Breeze Café Bar in Fambridge Yacht Haven.

Transport

Some of the areas along the walk are extremely remote with no car access or parking. If you are travelling by car for day walks, you will find convenient public car parks at Tollesbury, Heybridge Basin, Maldon, and Burnham-on-Crouch, plus smaller car parks or street parking at Goldhanger, Heybridge, Mundon (near the church), Maylandsea, St Lawrence, Bradwell Waterside, Bradwell near St Peter-on-the-Wall Chapel and North Fambridge. There is no public parking at Salcott.

Part of the route runs along the railway branch line from Wickford to Southminster, with convenient stops for walkers at North Fambridge, Althorne and Burnham-on-Crouch. There are various bus routes that might be helpful, including the Hedingham service 95 which runs from Maldon to Heybridge, Heybridge Basin, Goldhanger and Tollesbury; First Bus 31, 331 and 332 services between Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch and Hedingham D1 and D2 which connect Maldon with Bradwell-on-Sea, Steeple and Maylandsea.

Our top suggestions

If you just want to dip your toe into the Saltmarsh Trail, we have put together some short, circular walks that take in some of the flavour of the area in our Walk it Local collection of family friendly strolls, as well as other slightly longer walks from our collection. You can download them here: Goldhanger Through the Ages, Heybridge Towpath & Seawall, Maylandsea Meander, North Bradwell Pirates and Pubs, Burnham & Creeksea Stroll, Fambridge Seawall Stroll or explore all our walking routes below.

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Blue House Farm Nature Reserve

Blue House Farm was bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 1998 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and many other donors.
RSPB Old Hall Marshes Nature Reserve

An opportunity to see an abundance of coastal wetland bird species in their natural environment.
Statue of Byrhtnoth

One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension, which stretches out into the water (or the mud) and leads to a seating area at the end. There you can also see at close hand the statue of famous Saxon leader Byrhtnoth (sometimes written as Brythnoth, Brithnoth, Britnoth or Byrthnoth) who fought back against a Viking invasion. Ultimately he lost, but his bravery in battle was commemorated in the epic Old English poem The Battle of Maldon. The battle was fought in 991AD, and following the thousand-year anniversary, The Maldon Culture Company raised around £100,0000 to commission a lasting memorial to the district's hero, and artist John Doubleday was commissioned to create a statue of the great warrior.
St Lawrence Bay / Stone beach

St Lawrence Bay, also known as Stone, is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the Maldon District, and the broad sweep of shingle and sand is worth the effort to get to. If you travel by car you will need to park at Jubilee Field car park as you come into the village on the left - don't be tempted to attempt to drive closer to the beach, there really isn't anywhere else to park, and it's only a 10-minute walk. Refreshments (and toilets for customers) are available at The Stone Inn right on the sea wall and St Lawrence Inn opposite the car park and there is a convenience store for picnic supplies.
The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall

This ancient Saxon chapel is the oldest church in England built by St Cedd in 654AD, it is one of the most restful and spiritual buildings in the country, a place to bring you peace and tranquillity. The old Saxon quote on the Chapel sign ‘In this place the word is revealed to you’ is certainly true. The Chapel is situated at one end of the long distant walk ‘St Peters Way’. The Chapel is right on the coast and has stunning views a must for walkers and those keen on photography.

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Burnham & Creeksea Stroll - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.1

Address

Millfields car park, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HS

Burnham-on-Crouch

3.5 miles. This short Walk it Local route offers a delightful stroll around the yachting centre of Burnham-on-Crouch and nearby Creeksea, taking in river views along the seawall, birdlife, vineyards and historic buildings, with plenty of refreshment…
Beeleigh Falls

Address

Beeleigh Falls, Maldon Road, Beeleigh, Essex, CM9 6QA

essex@waterways.org.uk

Beeleigh

Beeleigh Falls is home to a series of water falls, locks and weirs on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.
A Tale of Three Villages - Walk it Local

Address

Wickham Bishops Village Hall, Snows Corner, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3JZ

Wickham Bishops

2.96 miles. This walk explores three pretty villages in the north of the district - Wickham Bishops, Little Braxted and Great Totham. Taking in tree-lined lanes and footpaths, this gently undulating walk is a great introduction to this part of the…
Tollesbury & RSPB Old Hall Marshes - Guided Walk No. 4.4

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Woodrolfe Road Car Park, 42 Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, CM9 8SE

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

42 Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury

Sunday 10 September. Tollesbury & RSPB Old Hall Marshes. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - The two walks offered (short and long) are around Tollesbury and the surrounding marshes, much of which is a RSPB nature reserve. Both walk…
Maldon Ghost Walk

Address

All Saints' Church, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PY

maldonghostwalk@gmail.com

Maldon

Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (mostly of the gruesome variety).
Going Beyond the Seawall: Challenges of filming the Essex Serpent - Talk by Harriet Lawrence and Jonjo Stickland

Address

The Blue Boar (Long Room), Silver Street, Maldon, CM9 4QE

Telephone
01621 855888

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Thursday 13 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - TV location manager Harriet Lawrence and marine co-ordinator Jonjo Strickland talk about the challenges of filming The Essex Serpent in the wild saltmarshes of the Maldon…
Tillingham Village & Fields - Walk it Local

Address

West Field car park, North Street, Tillingham, CM0 7TP

Tillingham

2.73 miles. This gentle walk lets you explore Tillingham, with its pretty village green lined with weatherboarded cottages, and the wide-open expanses of the surrounding Dengie farmland. There's a historic church to investigate, and two historic…
Three Dengie Pubs Walk

Address

Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SA

Stow Maries

This walk features attractive countryside, a disused railway and three superb examples of village pubs on the Dengie Peninsula. All three offer excellent ranges of local beers and food to tempt you, before or after your walk.
Saltmarsh Coast and St Peter’s Way: Bradwell to Tillingham - Guided Walk No. 5.3

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Bradwell Village Hall, South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QJ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea

Friday 15 September. Saltmarsh Coast and St Peter’s Way: Bradwell to Tillingham. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - This is a rare opportunity to walk what is one of the loneliest stretches of the England Coast Path in East Anglia. Enjoy…
Six Years Walking the UK Coastline: Talk by Chris Lewis.

Address

Upper Plume School Hall, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Sunday 17 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL FINALE - Six Years Walking the UK Coastline: Talk by ex-paratrooper and charity fundraiser Chris Lewis who walked around the entire UK coastline, including its islands, for six years. He started…
Tollesbury & Old Hall Marshes - Self-Guided Walk No. 4.4 / 4.5

Address

Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8QU

Tollesbury

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 6.4 or 10.2 miles. A fascinating walk around Tollesbury and the surrounding marshes. This walk has plenty of stunning views, historic sites and bird-watching opportunities! Tollesbury nowadays is a renowned sailing…
St Peter's Way

Address

Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PW

Bradwell-on-Sea

The St Peter’s Way is a 45 mile walk meandering through the countryside of Essex, from Chipping Ongar to the ancient chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell on Sea.
Riverside and Historic Maldon - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.3

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5HN

Maldon

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 1.6 miles. A circular self-guided walk starting and finishing at Maldon's Promenade Park, taking in traditional boatyards and maritime industry, historic buildings and the bustling high street. The walk is all on…
Tollesbury Wick Marshes Walk - Self-Guided Walk No. 4.2 / 4.3

Address

Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8QU

Tollesbury

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 5.8 or 8.9 miles. Tollesbury Wick Marshes is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Tollesbury is now renowned as a yachting centre; once upon a time the marshes were the haunt of smugglers.
Sold Out - Across the Crouch to RSPB Wallasea Island - Guided Walk No. 6.5

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Burnham Yacht Harbour, Foundry lane, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8BL

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Foundry lane, Burnham-on-Crouch

Sold Out - Saturday 9 and Wednesday 13 September. Across the Crouch to RSPB Wallasea Island. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - Head across the River Crouch on a scenic ferry ride from Burnham, arriving at the RSPB Wallasea Island Nature…
Althorne to North Fambridge Walk

Address

Althorne, Essex, CM9 6DG

Althorne

A picturesque 5.65 mile linear walk along the coast between the villages of Althorne and North Fambridge; this allows you to get a train from North Fambridge station at the end of the walk to return to the start.
The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival

Address

Around the Maldon District including from, Promenade Park, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival is a 10-day festival, designed to help visitors and locals enjoy the Maldon District's rich tapestry of history and heritage along its 75 miles of coastline.
For more information, or to sign up for further…
A Photography Masterclass Walk - Guided Walk No. 5.2

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Bradwell Village Hall, South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QJ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea

Sunday 10 September. A Photo Walk around the Saltmarsh Coast with James Crisp. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - The wonderfully photogenic coastline near the village of Bradwell-on-Sea forms the backdrop to this bracing walk and…
Maylandsea Meander - Walk it Local

Address

Bakersfield car park, The Drive, Maylandsea, CM3 6GT

Maylandsea

3 miles. Explore a tucked-away nature reserve that's famous for its butterflies and take in the lovely views from the seawall of Lawling Creek, with its yachts, barges and birdlife.
Around and About Althorne Walk

Address

Althorne, Essex, CM9 6DG

Althorne

A pleasant 5.02 mile circular walk around the village of Althorne. The walk includes a short stretch along the River Crouch before turning inland through the fields and over the railway line before arriving in Althorne.

Walking the Saltmarsh Trail

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