A flat circular walk around Canvey Island which follows the seawall clockwise. Canvey Island is truly wedged to the mainland. It’s not floating somewhere out there. A few steps across a road bridge (Benfleet Creek) and you could be forgiven for not realising you are now encircled by water.
Canvey Island has a rich history of settlements and this walk highlights views of Hadleigh Castle, Southend Pier, The Thames Estuary and beyond to the North Sea; salt marshes and Canvey's industrial heritage with views upstream across the Thames to Tilbury Docks and Fort.
Canvey's sea-wall murals capture the island's changing history; its lived experiences and the islands famous rock band, Dr Feelgood. The Island's literary connection is immortalised by Charles Dickens description of the Inn (The Lobster Smack) in Great Expectations.
A truly unique walk!
We have a late lunch stop after six miles. Please bring a packed lunch. There is a second stop for refreshments at The Lobster Smack. Thereafter this circular walk takes us back to Benfleet Creek with the afternoon sun behind us on the southern shore.
This is a full day walk at a brisk pace of approximately three miles per hour.
Drop-out points - bus back to Benfleet Station after 6 miles.
No dogs.
No booking required. Neither is it necessary to txt or email beforehand to join the walk.
Travel:
Take the 10:34 train from London Fenchurch Street, (West Ham 10:43; Upminster 10:56) arrives Benfleet at 11:16. Buy a return to Benfleet or if a Freedom pass and senior railcard holder a day rover ticket.
https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/tickets-and-fares/off-peak-discounts/senior-rover/
The expected finishing time is an estimate only and will be dependent on a number of factors such as, weather, the speed at which the group walks and the number of breaks taken.