Top 10 Scenic Walking Areas in Essex, England

May 29, 2021 Janette Largent

Discover the best top things to do in Essex, United Kingdom including Hillhouse Wood, The South Lanes, River Walk, Hylands Park, Epping Forest, Wallasea Island Wild Coast, Strand Wharf, Davy Down Country Park, Gosfield Nature Reserve, Broaks Wood.
Restaurants in Essex

1. Hillhouse Wood

Hall Road West Bergholt, Colchester, Colchester CO6 3NY England http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/4644/hillhouse-wood/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Hillhouse Wood

Reviewed By furze2 - Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom

Easily walkable bluebell wood. Many easy paths through this beautiful wood with bluebells and wild garlic. Parking can be found in the village of West Bergholt.

2. The South Lanes

11A Eld Lane, Colchester CO1 1LS England [email protected] http://southlanes.org.uk
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

The South Lanes

This area is home to an eclectic mix of historic sites, beautiful lanes to walk in, arts and crafts, shops and restaurants.

3. River Walk

Blackwater Lane, Witham CM8 1HY England https://www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/witham-river-walk-and-whetmead-nature-reserve-with-essex-and-south-suffolk-railways-walks-p1327771
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 87 reviews

River Walk

WItham's River Walk runs through the middle of town, from Ebenezer Close through to the Whetmead Nature Reserve. For much of the way there is a cycle path as well as a footpath. Some areas are open expanses of grass, others left for nature to thrive. Look carefully and you might see muntjac deer, kingfishers, little egrets or even otters as you pass through. The one constant is the river, which is never too far away.

Reviewed By 186424Neil - Witham, United Kingdom

I’ve done this walk regularly and seen it’s changes through a full year now, through all the changing seasons. There’s always something to see, watch, or listen too. It’s very well maintained by a team of friendly and informative Essex council staff. Unfortunately there have been a number of diseased trees removed of late but necessary. I finally managed the full length of the walk to Whetmeads nature reserve, beautiful, only blighted by dog owners who think themselves exempt from cleaning up after their dogs!!

4. Hylands Park

London Road, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ England +44 1245 605500 [email protected] http://hylandsestate.co.uk/
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 640 reviews

Hylands Park

Reviewed By 329kenp - Chelmsford, United Kingdom

Beautiful setting great walks plenty of open space to enjoy,has great facilities occasional events going on in the grounds and house.

5. Epping Forest

Epping IG10 4RW England http://www.visiteppingforest.org
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 145 reviews

Epping Forest

Reviewed By 559tobiasr - London, United Kingdom

What a nice green and beautiful escape just 30-45 minutes outside of London. A good starting point when you don't know where to go is the Epping Forest Visitor Center High Beech. From there you can do a lot of tours. Long and short. Have a look at the opening times of the centre if you need or want more information on the different routes. There are many small lakes which are lovely as well. We have been to Connaught Lake. A walk around this lake with so many ducks and goose takes about 25 minutes if you walk slowly. If you miss the forest this is a place to go. We'll be back for sure.

6. Wallasea Island Wild Coast

Creeksea Ferry Road, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea SS4 2HD England http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/wallasea-island-wild-coast-project/
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Wallasea Island Wild Coast

Reviewed By Cheekycockney190757 - Basildon, United Kingdom

Visited on Saturday 20th February 2021 for the first time. A nice drive with indicators on the route that the island can experience cut off's due to water coverage of access roads, so double-check if planning a visit when this may be an issue. Once on the Island, the road comes to a natural end with an excellent well maintained free car park. There were signs indicating trails and distance of those trails along the raised seawall. These trails are narrow and thus when you come across walkers coming in the opposite direction you cannot maintain any social distance. We simply went back to back. The views on the route we took which was 2km x2 towards the harbour and back were excellent as it covered the River Crouch and Burnham on Crouch on the opposite bank. No toilet or refreshments on site so be conscious of that. A few birds viewed but on the trail, we took no hides. From the harbour seal, viewing trips can be taken. We will be returning in future to enjoy exploring more.

7. Strand Wharf

2EN, High Street, Leigh-on Sea, Southend-on-Sea England
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Strand Wharf

8. Davy Down Country Park

Pilgrims Lane, South Ockendon, Thurrock England +44 1375 383744 http://discoverme.london/location/davy-down/
Excellent
20%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
13%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 15 reviews

Davy Down Country Park

Reviewed By millymandy1 - London, United Kingdom

A very nice place to visit a lovely walk, there is a shaded wooded area to walk or open fields where you can sit and have a nice Picnic, there are a few benches dotted around here and there. The river is a nice place to walk along. Also a small lake. A very nice place overall.

9. Gosfield Nature Reserve

Not Applicable - Accessed via footpaths. Grid Reference: TL786295, Gosfield CO9 1PG England http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/32423/gosfield-nature-reserve/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

10. Broaks Wood

Gosfield, Halstead OS Grid ref: TL784316, Halstead CO9 1UP England http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8zdd9r
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Reviewed By PASTELVXBES - Braintree, United Kingdom

Very foresty. Lovely dog walk and pretty wildlife areas all around. Quite a small car park but not many cars are there so the size is suitable. A den building spot for kids. Is quite a tight road before the car park. Great for blackberry picking in the correct seasons. Ideal for kids. Overall great experience.

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