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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Lest We Forget: The River Crouch in Wartime - talk by Fiona Clegg

Address

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AX

Telephone
01621 782105

info@royalcorinthian.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

Saturday 9 September - SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT. Burnham Town Councillor Fiona Clegg gives a talk on the role the river Crouch played in both World War 1 and World War 2. The evening includes an optional two-course dinner and…
Bradwell Pirates & Pubs - Self-Guided Walk No. 5.1

Address

Bradwell-on-Sea Village Hall, South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QJ

Bradwell-on-Sea

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 3 miles. This short walk around Bradwell-on-Sea and Bradwell Waterside, part of the Walk it Local collection, takes in traditional country pubs, a historic church, a thriving marina and the saltmarsh coast,…
Burnham Town Walk - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.2

Address

Burnham-on-Crouch Library, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

Burnham-on-Crouch

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. This largely mud-free stroll follows an easy circuit of the riverside yachting centre giving visitors the opportunity to explore some lesser-visited parts of the town.
Althorne Views & Vineyards - Walk it Local

Address

Althorne Recreation Ground car park, Burnham Road, Althorne, CM3 6BY

Althorne

2.3 miles. Althorne sits on the southern ridge of low hills on the Dengie Peninsula; so you can glimpse both the Blackwater and the Crouch rivers on this gentle walk. Look out too for the grapes growing in the many vineyards that benefit from the…
Yachts, Vineyards & History: Burnham and Creeksea - Guided Walk No. 6.1

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Millfields Car Park, off Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HQ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

off Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch

Friday 8 September. Yachts, Vineyards & History. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - A delightful stroll around the yachting centre of Burnham-on-Crouch and nearby Creeksea, taking in river views along the seawall, birdlife, vineyards and…
Goldhanger and Blackwater Estuary - Self-Guided Walk No. 3.2

Address

Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

Goldhanger

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 8.3 miles. This long, circular walk combines farmland and seawall around the charming and historic village of Goldhanger, with its cottages, pubs and 11th century church.
Northey Island - a talk by National Trust Ranger David Mason

Address

The Little Ship Club, The Hythe Quay, Maldon, CM9 5HN

toursm@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Monday 11 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - Join National Trust ranger David Mason for a talk about Northey Island and learn more about the National Trust project to conserve and protect the saltmarsh habitat on the island.
Bradwell & St Peter's Chapel - Self-Guided Walk No. 5.2

Address

Bradwell Village Hall, South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QJ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Bradwell-on-Sea

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 6.5 miles. Spectacular waterside walk taking in one of the district's most important historic sites – the ancient, lonely Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall. This easy, level circular walk covers 6.5 miles, much of it…
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…
Maldon Wick Nature Reserve - Walk it Local

Address

West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon, CM9 6YH

Maldon

2.6 miles. This short Walk it Local route is an easy stroll starting close to Maldon town centre, but taking in the lovely Maldon Wick Nature Reserve and part of the disused railway line. Depending on the season you might see rare butterflies,…
Burnham to Southminster - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.4

Address

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

Burnham-on-Crouch

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.2 miles. This attractive linear pub walk takes you from the charming riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch in a steady climb across the final outlier of the rolling farmland of central Essex, before reaching…
Crouch Valley: North Fambridge to Althorne - Self-Guided Walk No. 7.3

Address

North Fambridge Station, Station Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6NP

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

North Fambridge

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 6.7 miles. This is a beautiful linear walk along the River Crouch, using the train service to return to the start. The expansive views of the river and landscape are breathtaking. On the map, follow the "short cut"…
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…
Shut Heath Wood & Great Totham Walk

Address

Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NN

Great Totham

This fascinating walk explores the myriad of lanes and footpaths encircling the villages of Great Totham and Wickham Bishops, and in springtime provides the perfect opportunity to see Maldon District’s most spectacular display of bluebells in Shut…
Battle of Maldon - Talk by Stephen Nunn

Address

Little Ship Club, The Hythe, Maldon, CM9 5HN

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Saturday 16 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - Historian and former Mayor of Maldon, Stephen Nunn, will be retelling the famous story of Earldorman Byrhtnoth and his heroic, but doomed, fight against the Viking invaders.
Wallasea Island - talk by RSPB Site Manager Rachel Fancy

Address

Azar Persian Restaurant, 159 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HJ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

Event Cancelled.
Wednesday 13 September. SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL EVENING EVENT - Site Manager at RSPB Wallasea Island for 12 years, Rachel Fancy has seen the Island radically change and grow. At the start of her role, the nature reserve…
Woodham Walter Common Walk

Address

The Street, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6SA

Woodham Walter

This walk starts and finishes in the ancient and attractive village of Woodham Walter. The views across rural Essex are lovely. The terrain is varied, with arable fields, horse paddocks, a nature reserve and woodland.
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…
North Fambridge Seawall Stroll - Self-Guided Walk No. 7.1

Address

Blue House Farm Nature Reserve car park, Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

North Fambridge

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 3.1 miles. This walk has a bit of everything – the river Crouch, boats galore, an historic pub and farmland. All within the confines of the village of North Fambridge. Enjoy a walk along the seawall, with…
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.

Walking the Saltmarsh Trail

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