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.

Searching for something...

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Inspiration

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.

Number of results: 63

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

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…
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…
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…
Sold Out - Special Edition Maldon Ghost Walk

Address

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

maldonghostwalk@gmail.com

Maldon

This event is sold out but don't despair, join our waiting list to receive updates on more exciting opportunities about the Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival.
Friday 15 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - Special Edition…
The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation and Maldon from Heybridge Basin - Guided Walk No. 2.4

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Daisy Meadow Car Park, Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RW

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Basin Road, Heybridge Basin

Wednesday 13 September. The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation and Maldon from Heybridge Basin. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - This longer walk provides the perfect introduction to the countryside and riverside along the Saltmarsh…
Woods & Lanes of Southminster - Walk it Local

Address

High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AY

Southminster

2.36 miles. This walk explores the town of Southminster from its historic church and thatched cottages to the Jubilee Woodland and sculpture park and modern microbrewery. With a walk time of around an hour, and no steps or stiles to contend with,…
Chigborough Walks

Address

2 Chigborough Road, Essex, CM9 4RE

Telephone
07702244440

chigboroughfarm@gmail.com

An annual pass, £20 per person in 2022, gives permission to use the walking path around Chigborough Farm site, with proceeds going to Farleigh Hospice. Parking is not available, so pass holders must be able to walk to the site. Commercial dog…
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Heritage Walk - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.4

Address

Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LE

Maldon

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.9 miles. This beautiful walk takes in a varied section of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, as it meanders through Heybridge, passing industrial areas and then emerging into the countryside
Purleigh & Stow Maries Aerodrome Walk

Address

Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QH

Purleigh

This walk explores the countryside around the hilltop village of Purleigh and provides an opportunity to visit a working vineyard and an historic World War I aerodrome near Stow Maries
Beeleigh Falls & Maldon from Heybridge Basin - Self-Guided Walk No. 2.4

Address

Daisy Meadow car park, Basin Road, Heybridge, CM9 4RW

Heybridge

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 8.4 miles. This long waterside walk provides the perfect introduction to Maldon and Heybridge’s countryside and riverside, including the seawall, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation and Beeleigh Falls, returning via…
Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail

Address

Southminster Railway Station, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EG

Southminster

A voyage of real ale discovery along the scenic Crouch Valley railway line from Wickford to Southminster in the heart of the Dengie Peninsula
Along the Blackwater Estuary, Maldon to Goldhanger - Guided Walk No. 2.3

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Butt Lane Car Park, Butt Lane, Maldon, CM9 5HD

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Butt Lane, Maldon

Saturday 9 September. Along the Blackwater Estuary to Goldhanger. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - This linear walk of approximately 7.3 miles takes in a long stretch of the England Coast Path alongside the spectacular Blackwater…
Sold Out - Northey Island - Where Land Meets The Sea - Guided Walk No. 1.6

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Promenade Park (by the main ornamental gates), Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Park Drive, Maldon

Sold Out - Saturday 9 September - Mysterious Northey Island and the Battle of Maldon. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - A rare opportunity to have a guided walk to Northey Island, a remote island in the Blackwater Estuary, which…
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…
A Great Stroll in Little Braxted - Walk it Local

Address

Braxted Bakery, Little Braxted Lane, Little Braxted, CM8 3ET

Little Braxted

3.3 miles. The quiet lanes around Little Braxted make a pleasant walk with plenty to explore along the way, including a richly decorated Grade I listed church, fine old buildings with decorative chimneys and an unusual miniature railway at Braxted…
Goldhanger Through the Ages - Self-Guided Walk No. 3.1

Address

Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

Goldhanger

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 2.8 miles. Explore the charming village of Goldhanger where you can see remains from Iron Age, Saxon and Roman times, an 11th century church and a 100-year-old village pump. Along the seawall you will see a host of…
Maldon's Medieval Pubs - Talk by Tim Howson

Address

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

Telephone
01621 855888

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Sunday 10 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - Maldon District Council Conservation Officer Tim Howson explores the architecture of the oldest surviving inns in Maldon, bringing them back to life through colourful…
Walk & Talk

Address

Meet infront of Park Drive Health Club, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5UR

Maldon

Monday mornings. Do you fancy a gentle walk and a chat? Adele Bovingdon has launched Walk & Talk which meets outside Park Drive Health Club next to Maldon Promenade Park every Monday at 10:25am. Rain or shine, the group will take a two-mile stroll…
Maldon Fitsteps - Ramblers Wellbeing Walks

Address

Telephone
07311625824

Maldon Fitsteps is a scheme aimed at the over 50s. The scheme offers a choice of walks three times a week in the Maldon, Dengie and South Chelmsford areas. Walks are planned to be up to 90 minutes in duration, mainly on Public Rights of Way…
Crouch Valley: Burnham to Althorne - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.3

Address

Burnham-on-Crouch station, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BQ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 5.5 miles. This superb linear riverside walk starts from Burnham-on-Crouch railway station, taking you westward to Althorne where you can take a train to return.

Walking the Saltmarsh Trail

Inspiration

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address