Walks you can reach from South Woodham Ferrers by train

A pleasant circular over fields, woodland and several short road sections, with stunning views across the Crouch estuary, taking in the marina, Bridgemarsh Island, St Andrew's church and the war memorial.

2 lunch spots: althorne — the Three Horseshoes, or the Huntsman and Hounds

Warnings: Several short road sections have no pavement — watch for passing traffic.

Walk details: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

A family-friendly circular around the Essex coastal town of Burnham-on-Crouch — from parkland to the marina, along the quay beside the Crouch estuary and out into open countryside, passing the commemoration site of a First World War airfield.

Wallasea Island Wild Coast

1 end-of-walk reward: the White Harte Hotel

Walk details: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Flat sea wall path, tidal river, salt marshes, mudflats, reed ponds, creeks, marinas and riverside promenade.

Time: 4h30

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

A level, picturesque coastal walk along the sea wall of the tidal River Crouch between the villages of North Fambridge and Althorne, through Blue House Farm nature reserve with views of Bridgemarsh Island. Apart from a couple of stiles the path is clear throughout.

Blue House Farm Nature Reserve

1 end-of-walk reward: the Ferryboat Inn

Walk details: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Rolling grassy fields, quiet lanes, scattered woods, reservoir nature reserve, river valley and tidal mudflats.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

An attractive linear walk from the charming riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch, following the Crouch riverside before a steady climb across the rolling farmland of central Essex to Southminster, with a return by train on the Crouch Valley Line.

Time: 1h30–2h30

Walk details: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Wid Valley fields, riverside paths, cattle farm estate, bluebell woods, tree-lined tracks, open fields with far views and Crouch Valley finish.

Time: 5h30

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: Beautiful buildings and churches and amazing woodlands. A largely green route from central Chelmsford out through Galleywood, with clear, well-signposted paths through woodlands and farmers' fields and plus a stretch through the village of Stock. Can be combined with onward routes heading down to the coast.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–9h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mostly flat suburban and green-belt route mixing pavement, paths, tracks, fields and woodland, with one unavoidable A-road section (about 600m, on pavement) and a hillier approach to Rayleigh. Some seldom-used footpaths are overgrown; classic green-belt mix of residential and scruffy farmland and semi-rural-industrial land. Optional greener finish via Rayleigh Mount and the old castle earthworks (National Trust, with closing times). Woodland Trust land near Rayleigh for picnics.

Time: 2h30–4h30

Lunch: Cafe by a garden centre just off route at the A129/A1245 roundabout.

Warnings: Crossing the busy, fast London Road requires waiting for a gap; vehicles also move fast at the A129/A1245 roundabout, crossed via an island. Some overgrown footpaths. An unofficial railway crossing at Rayleigh station involves steps.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 2h30–5h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A walk through fields and woods on footpaths and with a long section along a main road. The ground is rough in places with several stiles.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h

1 lunch spot: the Nags Head

Warnings: A long section along Heath Road has little or no pavement, with fast traffic and a sharp bend, which can feel unsafe. Cattle in a field near Castledon Road may be aggressive.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The walking part is 5 superb; really it's lovely - big skies, creeks, Paglesham church - very enjoyable. A walk through increasingly rural, remote Essex marshland: big skies, creeks and sea-wall paths and with some exposed stretches and a few narrow nettley paths. The route depends on a seasonal ferry across the River Crouch. Crosses the River Crouch by seasonal ferry; check times and confirm with the ferryman before travelling. Paglesham Church is open and welcoming with an eco-toilet. A loop diversion via Paglesham East End is possible.

Coastal: half along the coast.

Time: 4h–7h30

Lunch: There is also a pub at Great Stambridge for refreshment.

Warnings: The route crosses the River Crouch by a seasonal on-demand ferry (Good Friday to end of September, weather permitting); outside this period it cannot take you the whole way, and the ferry has proved unreliable, so call ahead to confirm. Long exposed stretches need sun protection. Wallasea is an island that can be cut off by very high tides covering the path.

Walk details: Slow Ways.