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Walks in Althorne
and Beyond
Althorne
Station to North Fambridge Station via seawall and Blue House Farm ~
approx. 5 1/2 miles
This
walk follows the estuary of the River Crouch between Althorne and Fambridge. The
salt marsh, shoreline, dykes and grassland are rich in birdlife and the sea wall
gives you the bird’s eye view. There are expansive views across the valley. On
both sides the fields and woods drop gently down to the estuary. This is a
remarkably unspoilt rural setting considering the proximity of London's
dormitory towns. The only sounds are the cry of birds, the slap of rigging and
the occasional hum of a
'National
Express East Anglia'
train following the Crouch Valley Line along the valley floor.
 | Leaving Althorne
Station, turn right across the level crossing and follow Bridgemarsh Lane
down to the river. At the marina, turn right on to the seawall. A one-mile
wide strip of land along the hill on your right has been designated as an
Area of Great Landscape Value. |
| Ahead lies
Bridgemarsh Island, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A
lone chimneystack and the remains of seawall are all that there is to
indicate that this derelict island was once farmed and contained a
brickworks. The seawall round the island fell into disrepair and when the
island was flooded in 1928, the last inhabitants left. Now the sea has
effectively reclaimed it. |
| Follow the seawall
past the island noting the branches planted in the mud to mark the navigable
channel. Rejoining the main channel, you will see Fambridge ahead. |
| Continue along the
seawall until you reach the Blue House Farm nature reserve, which belongs to
the Essex Wildlife Trust. You can then follow the permissive footpath
through the reserve (open between 1 April to 31 October) - this will take
you past two hides from which you can watch the birds on the fleet. When you
reach the car park, turn right and follow the road to North Fambridge
Station. |
| Alternatively,
remain on the seawall at Blue House Farm and follow the path until you reach
the public footpath on the right. This will lead you inland past Blue House
Farm and you will be able to pick up the road to the Station. Or you can
stay on the seawall until you reach Ferry Road and follow this to the
Station via the Ferry Boat Inn where you can have a drink or a meal. |
North
Fambridge Station to Althorne Station ~ approx. 5 miles
This is
a remarkably unspoilt rural setting considering the proximity of London's
dormitory towns. The only sounds are the cry of birds, the slap of rigging and
the occasional hum of a train taking the line to Southminster along the valley
floor. This superb walk follows the estuary along the sea wall, which holds back
the sea from the old marshland along the River Crouch.
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Turn
left out of Fambridge station along the road, which bears right at a bend. |
(At
this point you could choose to walk through Blue House Farm instead to the
seawall. Blue House Farm is an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve and Site of
Special Scientific Interest - you could walk the permissive path, open between 1
April and 31 October; it includes two hides from which you can watch the birds
on the fleet. When you reach the sea wall, turn left along the river towards
Althorne.)
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Staying
on the road for about five minutes after the bend, turn left again towards
the river, past, or depending on how you feel, in to the Ferry Boat Inn, to
reach the sea wall. |
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Turn
left and for the next two miles, landside, the view is across the Essex
Wildlife Trust's Blue House Farm Reserve. Follow the sea wall past
Bridgemarsh Island (on the right) noting the branches planted in the mud to
mark the navigable channel. Originally the island was farmed and there was
also a brickworks. There used to be a seawall round the whole of Bridgemarsh
Island but it fell into disrepair and when the island was flooded in1928 the
last inhabitants left. At low tide the remains of the farmhouse at the
eastern end and the chimney of the brickworks at the western end can be
seen. |
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Passing
the island in the middle of the river, which is now salt marsh, as you
approach Althorne, look out for birds and wildflowers. |
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When
you reach Bridgemarsh Marina and the boat yard, turn inland and walk for
about five minutes until you reach Althorne station. |
Althorne
Pub Walk ~ Just over 5 miles
This is
a pleasant circular walk of about five and a half miles during which you can
stop in any (or all) of three pubs for drinks, coffee or a meal. In addition
Althorne Post Office Stores (between the Black Lion pub and the Southminster
road) can provide extra provisions such as ice creams, sweets, drinks, fruit,
etc. Althorne lies on a ridge above the Rivers Crouch and Blackwater, so there
are some good views.
| On arriving at
Althorne station, turn right and take footpath No.10 across the railway line
heading in a southerly direction towards the River Crouch. Continue on this
road until you meet the sea wall. |
| Turn left onto
footpath No. 11 along the sea wall heading in an easterly direction.
Continue on the footpath until it bears left alongside a water inlet. |
| At the far end of
the inlet leave the coastal footpath and continue straight on, heading in a
northerly direction onto footpath No. 7. Continue on this footpath, across
the railway line, until you eventually join the Burnham road. |
| Turning right for a
short distance will bring you to the Three Horse Shoes public house.
Alternatively, on joining the Burnham road, turn left for a short distance
and then first right into Summerhill. |
| Continue down the
hill until you meet the Southminster road, near the phone box turn right
into Southminster road. (Alternatively, at this point you could carry
straight on past the Post Office to the Black Lion). |
| Continue on the
Southminster Road until you see the sign on the left for footpath No.2. Join
footpath No. 2 here and enjoy the walk across several fields until you reach
Green Lane. |
| Turn left onto Green
Lane and after a short walk you will see a thatched public house, the
Huntsman & Hounds. Opposite The Huntsman & Hounds is the sign for
footpath No. 1. Follow this path across the fields to the Black Lion public
house. |
| On leaving the Black
Lion turn left along the Burnham road and take the first turning on the
right hand side called Lower Chase, also signed footpath No. 14. Continue on
this path, which will eventually bear left and run parallel with Summerhill. |
| At the top of the
Chase bear right through the churchyard and join footpath No. 4, which leads
to the Fambridge road. |
| Turn right and after
a short walk take the first left into Station Road (footpath No.10), which
will take you back to Althorne station. |
The descriptions of these walks has
been prepared by Mrs Ursula Benjafield and are printed here with her kind
permission.
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