Brightlingsea Circular

SOUTH EAST

ESSEX

WALK

Brightlingsea Circular

Sunday 02 May 2021

We could see across the River Colne to Brightlingsea on a previous walk around Mersea and were intrigued by our companions’ lack of enthusiasm for the town. We thought we would go and check it out with a bit of a walk around Brightlingsea Marsh National Nature Reserve.

The sky was dark as we made our way from our campsite in Tolleshunt D’arcy, and it looked as if it was going to pour down.

It seemed to take forever to get to Brightlingsea; the nearest place to cross the River Colne turned out to be Colchester, but at least by the time we arrived, the sky had brightened up a little.

There was a short shower just as we entered the Nature Reserve, and by the time we had reached Alresford Creek, the sun was shining.

The walk is flat and follows the water’s edge until you reach the Ford at Alresford Creek. We were not planning to cross the Ford, and it was not low tide, but even still, it looked like a tricky crossing with a fair bit of mud.

We headed inland across the fields and through the old Gravel Pits next to Thicks Wood before returning to the town via Stranger’s corner.

Brightlingsea Marsh National Nature Reserve

Former gravel pits turned in to lakes - no swimming allowed!

The Route

Distance : 6 Miles

We started our walk near the Brighlingsea Boating Lake. We found free parking on the road at Promenade Way. There is a handy Co-Op store just accross the road next to the Museum if you need water etc.

Click HERE for a GPX file of the route.

David Welch – View Profile

Are you tired of being stuck in the office? Bored of being chained to a desk? Counting down the days until retirement?

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