Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.
***Please note the walk and lunch is now fully booked up and reserved for those with places due to no formal lunch stop on the walk***
A brisk but shorter walk than usual (6 miles) to allow us to get to the yacht club in time for Christmas lunch. The walk begins at Althorne Railway Station and ends at the Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, known as "the Cowes of the East coast". The walk follows the river Crouch along flat land and big skies. The Crouch estuary is famous for yachting and its rich birdlife. We head east on top of the sea wall through mudflats and salt marshes passing through marinas and boat clubs. We aim to arrive at the yacht club, an architectural feast, between 1.30-2pm (2pm is our sitting so we need to walk briskly; max time we can stay for lunch is 4.30 pm). Bring pocket snacks to tide you over.
Travel: Take the 10:22 train from Liverpool St Station (Stratford 10:29) changing at Wickford (11am), 6 mins transfer time, alighting at Althorne Station (four stops) at 11:26.
The return station is Burnham-On-Crouch. Buy a return ticket to Burnham-on-Crouch (hourly trains 10 past the hour). The railway station is a 15 minute walk from The Quay.
***MUD ALERT*** The pathway is very muddy and wet. You are strongly advised to wear walking boots to navigate puddles, mud and, at times, tree roots. Walking poles will help you balance. Best to walk through the mud/water rather than perform acrobatics and risk slipping! Beginning and end of walk is pavement. Bring shoe covers or indoor shoes for the yacht club/plastic bag to put shoes in.
Dress code for lunch at the yacht club: casual, walking gear is fine. No need to dress up!
Toilets: There are none on the walk and you are advised to use the facilities at Liverpool St and on the train. Please note there is very little cover/shelter on the walk.
From Althorne station we walk north towards the village and then South, toward the estuary, after walking across a live railway track at a crossing. Attention needed.
Drop out points: None
No formal breaks only water stop and pocket snack.
No dogs allowed as we will finish at a restaurant.
Althorne Railway Station
This is a linear walk and the return station is Burnham-On-Crouch, a 15 minute walk from the Quay
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