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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Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation on foot and by boat - Guided Walk No. 2.1

Address

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

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Basin Road, Heybridge Basin

Saturday 16/Sunday 17 September. Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation on foot and by boat. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - This leisurely 3-mile walk is perfect for families with children. Walk around the seawall from Heybridge Basin,…
Riverside Flora and Fauna at Blue House Farm Nature Reserve - Guided Walk No. 7.2

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Blue House Farm Nature Reserve car park, Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, CM3 6GU

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge

Friday 15 September. Riverside Flora and Fauna at Blue House Farm Nature Reserve. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - Walk with an Essex Wildlife Trust guide, as he points out the wide variety of flora and fauna in this riverside nature…
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…
Maritime Maldon Walk - Guided Walk No. 1.1

Address

Fullbridge (meet on the the bridge), Maldon, CM9 4LE

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Sunday 17 September. Maldon Maritime Walk. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - With Maldon’s resident historian Stephen Nunn as your guide, discover some of the fascinating stories and secrets of the town’s maritime past on this linear…
Maldon Riverside Heritage Trail - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.1

Address

Butt Lane Car Park, Butt Lane, Maldon, CM9 5HD

Maldon

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 1.3 miles. A gentle walk exploring Maldon's historic waterfront, with plenty of opportunities to detour and explore or enjoy refreshments along the way.
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.
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…
Crouch Valley with Wine Tasting and Food: North Fambridge to Althorne - Guided Walk No. 7.3

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, North Fambridge Station, Station Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6NP

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Station Road, North Fambridge

Monday 11 September. Along the Crouch Valley: North Fambridge to Althorne. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - This is a beautiful linear walk along the River Crouch, using the train service to return to the start. Includes Blue House…
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
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…
Maldon Town Walk - Self-Guided Walk No.1.5

Address

White Horse Lane car park, White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QP

Maldon

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. If you want a mud-free stroll which takes in the lesser-known parts of Maldon then this walk is a good option. This easy circuit of Maldon uses plenty of quiet paths and lanes, giving you the chance to…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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 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…
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.

Walking the Saltmarsh Trail

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