Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beeleigh-falls-maldon">Beeleigh Falls, Maldon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/1-7.jpg" alt="Maldon's Beeleigh Falls" class="wp-image-20412" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/1-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/1-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/1-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/1-7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>First up is <a href="https://952a0f72-e965-4a2d-ab02-dd356c9e3f7f.filesusr.com/ugd/08a5e7_b31dc3a140ef4ffc91873de2b54a2688.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beeleigh Falls</a>, home to water falls, weirs and locks that control the meeting point where the rivers Chelmer and Blackwater meet the sea. Expect the circular walk to take at least 3 hours to complete (it&#8217;s 7.5 miles). And wear your wellies –&nbsp;it&#8217;s uneven and muddy but takes you through stunning countryside scenes, as well as the seawall and riverbank, passing by an historic mill and listed buildings. Binoculars might also be called for – you can spot all kinds of wildlife thanks to the mix of fresh and salt water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-big-walk-epping-forest">The Big Walk, Epping Forest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Brook-through-leaves-epping-forest.jpg" alt="Epping Forest" class="wp-image-26777" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Brook-through-leaves-epping-forest.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Brook-through-leaves-epping-forest-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Brook-through-leaves-epping-forest-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Brook-through-leaves-epping-forest-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Epping Forest Heritage Trust</figcaption></figure>



<p>Feeling ready to take on the <a href="https://efht.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Map-Leaflet-Sep-2022-layout-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Big Walk</a>? Heads up, it&#8217;s 14 miles through Epping&#8217;s ancient woodland, so don&#8217;t be tempted into leaving after a leisurely start, this calls for an early start so you&#8217;re home before the sun sets! Kicking off at Manor Park station, the route takes you through well-trodden paths, grassland and woods. Along the way enjoy the open landscape of Wanstead Flats, with its duck-filled Jubilee Ponds. Added to that is High Beach and its ancient oak pollards, as well as beech and oak trees. You&#8217;ll then pass one of two Iron Age Camps, before ending up at Epping station. And don&#8217;t worry of you&#8217;re not feeling up to a full 14-miler, it can be split into smaller walks which are under 2 hours each!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frinton-on-sea-to-walton-on-the-naze">Frinton-on-Sea to Walton-on-the-Naze</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-7.jpg" alt="Frinton to Walton walk" class="wp-image-20413" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/2-7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The stroll from Frinton to Walton is a nice easy one –&nbsp;flat and family-friendly, taking around 45 &#8211; 60 minutes to walk the two mile route along the promenade. With its colourful beach huts, this stroll from Frinton to the wide beaches of Walton are what walks were made for. This is a coastal delight you won’t want to miss, especially when the waves roll in and the sun shines. If you fancy stretching your legs a while longer you can head inland from Walton to follow the footpath along Walton Mere, or visit Naze Tower of walk through <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/hamford-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamford Water Nature Reserve</a> for an even longer walk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-danbury-common-to-lingwood-common-danbury">Danbury Common to Lingwood Common, Danbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1006" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/danbury-common-walk-essex-1519120-copy.jpg" alt="Danbury Common, National Trust" class="wp-image-26783" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/danbury-common-walk-essex-1519120-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/danbury-common-walk-essex-1519120-copy-800x537.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/danbury-common-walk-essex-1519120-copy-1000x671.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/danbury-common-walk-essex-1519120-copy-768x515.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Danbury Common. Image: National Trust/Justin Minns</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of three walks you can take around the area, this<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/danbury-commons-and-blakes-wood/danbury-common-to-lingwood-common-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Danbury Common to Lingwood Common route</a>, is 1.5 miles and will take around an hour. It&#8217;s perfect for little legs, but you could combine it with the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/danbury-commons-and-blakes-wood/blakes-wood-to-lingwood-common-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blakes Wood to Lingwood Common walk</a> (2.5 miles) and the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/danbury-commons-and-blakes-wood/lingwood-common-to-blakes-wood-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lingwood Common to Blakes Wood walk</a> (a 3.5 mile circular walk), if everyone is onboard. Whichever combo you choose you&#8217;ll be able to enjoy the wooded glades, wetlands and open heathland, while keeping an eye out for the local wildlife.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southend-on-sea-to-leigh-on-sea">Southend-on-Sea to Leigh-on-Sea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/peterboat-copy.jpg" alt="The Peterboat, Leigh-on-Sea" class="wp-image-26790" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/peterboat-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/peterboat-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/peterboat-copy-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/peterboat-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Peterboat, Leigh-on-Sea</figcaption></figure>



<p>There are many possibilities when it comes to walking anywhere between <a href="https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/create-your-day-out/walking-the-southend-coastline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shoeburyness and Leigh-on-Sea</a>, but the stretch from Southend to Leigh-On-Sea is a family-friendly stroll. Start at seafront attraction <a href="https://adventureisland.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adventure Island</a>, and make your way west along the prom. Then, when you&#8217;re clear of the casinos and crowds, you&#8217;ll spy a series of artisan beach cafés that sit under the arches. From here, this three-mile potter threads through boatyards that clink and clatter in high winds. You&#8217;ll also spot cobbled lanes and gorgeous deserted coves. Once you hit Old Leigh, head beachfront for a healthy fish platter at <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-peterboat-leigh-on-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The </a><a href="https://thepeterboat.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peterboat</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tollesbury-wick-maldon">Tollesbury Wick, Maldon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-7.jpg" alt="Maldon's Tollesbury Wick walk" class="wp-image-20415" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/12/4-7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A crowd pleaser with the sailing set, the <a href="https://952a0f72-e965-4a2d-ab02-dd356c9e3f7f.filesusr.com/ugd/08a5e7_05e74bfb0ff14ad7a99ab2930d05da4f.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tollesbury Wick Marshes route </a>launches at the King&#8217;s Head Pub, Church Street and hugs the seawall for unrivalled views of the Blackwater Estuary. Oystercatchers, terns and little ringed plovers may thread their way with you to Shinglehead point, where ribbons of green signal Rolls Farm.  There&#8217;s a 8.9 mile route, which should take around 4.5 hours, or a shorter one that&#8217;s 5.8 miles (just under 3 hours of walking). If you&#8217;re opting for the shorter version, there&#8217;s a footpath that loops back round to Church Street where you can sink a tipple at <a href="https://www.the-harbour-view.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Harbour View Bistro &amp; Bar</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-witham-river-walk-witham">Witham River Walk, Witham</h2>



<p>Following the River Brain for 2 miles, the meadow-rich <a href="https://esscrp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/11698-ESS-CRP-Walk-3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Witham River Walk</a> is teeming with wildlife and often throws up sightings of muntjac. If you&#8217;re lucky you&#8217;ll also spy otters floating downstream. Beginning at Chipping Hill Bridge, drop onto the river trail and head south, crossing a small bridge before reaching the duck pond. Pause under a fringe of weeping willows, then make the final leg to Whetmead Nature Reserve, where perfect sunset vistas of the River Blackwater await.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



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<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/padel-power-have-you-joined-the-club/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Padel power: Have you joined the club?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/on-your-marks-races-to-train-for-in-essex-for-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On your marks: Races to train for in Essex for 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/culture-trip-whats-coming-to-a-town-near-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Culture trip: What’s coming to a town near you</a></li>
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A breath of fresh air: The best winter walks Essex has to offer

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