We are the North East London Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
This walk follows the Essex Way, starting in the hamlet of Wrabness and ending in the port of Harwich. We initially follow the Stour estuary, then strike inland, and finally follow the North Sea coast into Harwich.
We will stop for lunch at the Cherry Tree pub in Little Oakley. They do not anticipate being very busy but if you want a pub lunch it would be wise to reserve by phoning them (01255 886483). Estimated arrival time is 1pm. Otherwise bring a picnic lunch.
It’s possible to drop out at lunch time by taking the 104 bus to Manningtree across from the pub. The service is hourly (about 25 min past).
Buy a cheap day return ticket to Harwich Town. You can take the 10.00 train from Liverpool Street, changing at Manningtree, arriving at Wrabness at 11.09. You will arrive at Manningtree at 10.55 at platform 3, and you have 5 minutes to transfer to platform 1 (via the underpass) for the Wrabness train.
Note that this train doesn’t stop at Stratford, but if you want to start from there you can take the earlier 9.37 train from Stratford and wait half an hour at Manningtree for the connecting train. This is what I will be doing. The station has a very pleasant buffet.
Trains back from Harwich Town are hourly (26 past).
Earlier parts of the walk are quite wooded, but otherwise it is exposed. The last couple of miles of the walk are on hard surfaces.
This information is provisional, it may be changed or added to. Please check the website again before setting out.
Please note that you join this walk entirely at your own risk.
