Walks you can reach from Wickford by train

A heritage trail from the station around the historic town of Rayleigh, whose origins predate Saxon times — its name means 'a clearing of deer', it appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, and by 1222 its forests were royal hunting grounds. Takes in Rayleigh Mount and the parish church.

Rayleigh Mount (National Trust)

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

A circular with views over the River Crouch, passing through Woodham Fenn and the Marsh Farm saltmarsh nature reserve, managed by Essex Wildlife Trust.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

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

A circular across countryside and along part of the sea wall, returning along the banks of the River Roach to the attractive historic market town of Rochford.

Rochford

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Passes a convenient pub for refreshment.

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

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.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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

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

Rolling hills, arable fields, vineyards, bluebell woods, disused railway line, tidal riverside and grassy salt marshes.

Time: 7h (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Can be muddy.

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

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

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

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

Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Ferryboat Inn

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

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: 3h (1h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

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: 7h (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Can be muddy.

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

Recommended: The views from Leigh on Sea looking out to the sea are beautiful. Quiet woodlands, farm paths, horse yards and pretty residential areas and passing through a nature reserve before reaching the coast at Leigh-on-Sea. Includes a safer crossing of the A127. The route passes through a nature reserve near Hadleigh and goes past a windmill.

Rayleigh Mount (National Trust)

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: A great route with a variety of different environments. A great route with a variety of environments and lots of off-road walking, both coastal and woodland, with sea-wall and intertidal sections along the Crouch estuary, vineyard views, woodland in nature reserves, quiet lanes. Includes slopes and steps and various gates; some sections can flood on a spring tide. Passes through two Essex Wildlife Trust reserves (Blue House Farm and a Maldon West railway-line reserve), favoured by birders, with benches along the way. Crosses the Three Rivers Golf Club. Bridgemarsh Island is visible in the Crouch. Prehistoric shark teeth can be found in the 'Creeksea Cliffs'. Can be broken at Fambridge or Althorne stations.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 8h (6h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

Lunch: A convenience store and chemist near the start; the River Breeze Cafe at Fambridge Yacht Haven; long stretches with no shops or refreshments.

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

Warnings: Crossing the Burnham Road (B1012) has no controlled crossing and vehicles travel fast, though visibility is good. Ferry Lane and parts of the coast path can flood on a spring tide; avoid the outgoing tide at the wild-swimming spots.

Walk details: Slow Ways.