Rayleigh to South Woodham Ferrers
A station-to-station walkEssexSouth East England
A mixed route of pavement, off-street paths through Wheatley Wood, quiet lanes and field paths and footbridges. Some rights of way are not well walked or marked. Woodham Fen can get very muddy after wet weather. Public toilets at the top of Crown Hill, Rayleigh. Passes Woodham Fen nature reserve near South Woodham Ferrers. Battlesbridge railway station is close to the antiques centre if you want to cut the walk short.
Rayleigh Mount: The site of a medieval castle, now a green oasis for wildlife (National Trust).
Lunch: A cafe with great views on the top floor of the old granary at the Battlesbridge Antiques Centre.
1 end-of-walk reward: the Railway
Warnings: Several busy, fast road crossings with no proper crossing point, notably the A1245 dual carriageway (cross with great care, waiting for a gap), the A129/A1245 roundabout, and the A132 Burnham Road. One right of way passes through a gated compound with a large guard dog and is uninviting; an alternative is available. Woodham Fen gets very muddy after rain.
Credits
Walk details: Slow Ways.