7 Of The Best Walks & Trails In Essex You Need To Experience During Your Staycation

 

If donning walking shoes for a good long ramble or short stroll is your thing, you may be surprised by the abundance of scenic walking routes in Essex. Riverbanks, forest, gentle countryside, creeks and coastline all figure in a list of options that would make an excellent addition to any camping holiday. From the North Sea coast to the Thames Estuary and Epping Forest, the county of Essex has lots of accessible hiking opportunities. Here’s a quick list of 7 of the best walks and trails in Essex you need to experience during your staycation.

Epping Forest

Covering 4,000 acres, Epping Forest is one of Britain’s oldest woodlands. Cross-hatched by an intricate network of walking trails extending from the edge of London to the market town of Epping, this is an area well-suited to a full day’s ramble under a lush canopy of forest growth. And what a forest it is: chestnut, lime, beech, hornbeam, holly, willow… Epping is renowned for its variety of tree species.  

Setting out, a popular starting point is Theydon Bois station (and car park), which has a range of tree-themed trails. Whichever one you take on, each is an excellent circular walk opening up endless forest scenery and hidden spots that are just the job for an alfresco lunch. 

Finally, be sure to pay a visit to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary, also at Theydon Bois. Once a royal hunting ground, this expanse of the great outdoors has long since opened up to the public, hosting deer walks, talks and educational activities.

Find campsites near Epping Forest

Hadleigh Castle to the Thames Estuary

Chancing upon ancient ruins often adds that extra bit of mystery to any jaunt into the countryside, which is what makes the Hadleigh Castle/Thames Estuary circuit particularly inspiring. Set out from Benfleet railway station, then continue a stone’s throw south-east down the main trail to the bottom of Benfleet Downs by the Olympic cycle paths. 

From here, you’ll be turning left to climb the hill to Hadleigh Castle, where you can stop to take in the sweeping views over a well-deserved packed lunch or picnic. It’s more than likely you’ll want to linger a while to explore this fascinating site, which dates all the way back to the reign of King John in the early 13th century. 

It's then a gentle drop down to Leigh-on-Sea, during which you can gaze out at the unfolding backdrop of the North Sea. Once on the High Street, you might find yourself tempted by its variety of great pubs, but don’t fall into the trap of a post-lunch lull if you’re planning to take on the estuary hike back via Hadleigh Ray. 

Great campsite options around Benfleet

Walton-on-the-Naze, Naze Tower and Essex Wildlife Trust

With the North Sea close at hand, here you’ll have yet another reason to get four more miles under your belt. First, there’s Naze Tower, a stunning early 18th-century structure at the centre of this Essex Wildlife Trust-managed area. At 86 feet tall, it has what many believe to be the best view in all the county. As such, it also makes a useful navigational reference as you head north through the nature reserve to the infantry pillbox (a World War II defence structure) and onwards to the sea wall. 

From there, climb down to the shore and survey the strange natural beauty of these crumbling cliffs, or explore the area’s two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs): the fossil-laden Naze Cliffs and the saltmarsh habitat of Hamford Waters.

For a longer walk, bypass the beach and follow the sea wall further down (keeping an eye on the sea to see if you can spot the odd seal), following Cormorant Creek and Walton Channel as far as the old harbour. It’s an easy route back from here via Walton-on-the-Naze and Naze Park Road, where you may also be tempted to stop for lunch at the Naze Links Café.

Places to camp in and around Walton-on-the-Naze

Heybridge Basin to Osea Island

This shorter jaunt begins just opposite Maldon and goes across the Blackwater estuary at Heybridge, into a landscape rich in wildlife. Climb to the canal, turn left, then keep to the towpath along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation as it curves southeast around the salt marshes. And there are plenty of opportunities for pints or cups of tea for those who could do with a pick-me-up along the way. 

Carrying on, you can go as far as Decoy Point; at low tide, it’s also possible to cross the one-mile causeway to Osea Island.   

And in case you were wondering, yes, there are waterfalls in Essex too! In fact, you’ll be close by one at Heybridge: from the canal path you’ll come across Beeleigh Falls, a formation made of locks, platforms and tiny falls. Certainly a well-kept secret among the best places in Essex to visit.   

Places to pitch up near Heybridge

Mersea Island

For a little more altitude, get on to the clifftop trail starting at Cudmore Grove Country Park and take in five miles of scenic hiking trail. From there, head east at the Tudor Blockhouse to follow the Pyefleet Channel, where you just might spot a common seal or two. 

And remember: you’re in oyster country now. So keep an eye out for the Colchester Oyster Fishery, then after a short distance turn inland through the fields and woods until you reach Shop Lane, after which the winding route meets with East Road. On that corner, it’ll be hard to resist the Dog & Pheasant for a snack and a pint. Should you manage to pull away, East Road will take you back up to Broman’s Lane and finally bring you full-circle to Cudmore Grove.  

Choose a campsite around Mersea Island

Wivenhoe to The Hythe via River Colne

Next up is the River Colne and a scenic four-mile riverside trek through reed marshes and woodland. From Wivenhoe station (easily reached by train from Colchester), get onto the Old Ferry Road, which takes you to the Ferry Marsh Trail, where immediately you’ll spot the waterfront houses of Rowhedge on the opposite bank of the river. 

As it narrows between the waterway and railway, the pathway then gives a view of the Wivenhoe Woods/Colne Nature Reserve on the hillside, after which you’ll eventually reach the outskirts of The Hythe before getting to Colchester itself.  

Keep to the riverside and you’ll pass some university buildings and small apartment blocks before eventually coming across some familiar chain restaurants. Given your rambling efforts, though, you may prefer to continue into town for more traditional food or to catch a train back to Wivenhoe for a quayside spot at The Rose & Crown.

Pitch up around Wivenhoe/River Colne

Along Alresford Creek to Thorrington Tide Mill

While you’re on the River Colne, why not go the extra mile to explore its tributary, Alresford Creek? (Four miles actually, but they’ll fly by with views like these.) This scenic route loops through salt marshes and mudflats to one of the few surviving tidal mills in the UK, Thorrington Tide Mill, which you can see in full operation on the last Sunday of every month of summer. 

Whether arriving by train or car, you can easily access the creek leading here and retrace your steps accordingly. But as it’s a relatively short jaunt there’s no need to rush, as there will be plenty of reasons just to stop and soak up the sights and sounds.

Find somewhere to camp near Thorrington Tide Mill

As a great walk often provokes a great hunger, here is a shortlist of some of the best fish & chips destinations in Essex to meet that appetite. And what better place to enjoy them than in one of Essex’s best parks? No reason to stop there: there are plenty of campsite options where you can extend your time taking in these great walks and trails.