Location

Discover the rich heritage of Harwich and Dovercourt with expert guided tours from the Harwich Society. With over 30 years of experience, we bring history to life for visitors from around the world. Free Guided Tours Every Saturday between May and September for a free guided walk through Historic Harwich. Start time: 2:00 PM Meeting point: Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre Read more…

Nestled on the Essex Sunshine Coast, Brightlingsea is the perfect destination for those who love to explore on foot. From peaceful nature reserves and historic landmarks to stunning coastal views, our walking routes offer something for everyone. Whether you’re here for a short stroll or a longer adventure, start your journey at Brightlingsea Harbour and uncover the charm of this Read more…

Explore the beautiful Essex countryside on this scenic 7.5-mile route, taking in farmland, creeks, and historic landmarks. Route Directions 1. Start at Thorpe-le-Soken War Memorial Head east along the B1033 towards Frinton/Walton. Pass Byng Crescent and a row of houses, then follow the roadside hedgerow. Turn left onto a field-edge footpath marked by a concrete fingerpost. After 400m, continue across Read more…

Holland-on-Sea is a charming seaside town known for its quiet beaches, coastal walks, and rich history. It’s perfect for visitors seeking a relaxing getaway with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Holland-on-Sea has roots stretching back to Saxon times, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Hoilanda.  The name means “harbour,” referencing the former Gunfleet estuary at Holland Haven, Read more…

Little Clacton is a historic village offering a peaceful escape with easy access to the coast and countryside. Its rural character, fascinating heritage, and network of footpaths make it a great destination for walkers and history enthusiasts alike. Little Clacton dates back to the 11th century, when settlers branched off from the track between St Osyth and Little Holland.  The Read more…

Weeley is a welcoming village with a rich history and easy access to scenic countryside walks.  Just a short drive from Clacton-on-Sea and Colchester, Weeley offers a peaceful escape while remaining well-connected by rail and road. Weeley’s name comes from the Old English “Wēo-lēah”, meaning “willow wood or clearing.”  The village is first mentioned around 1050, and appears in the Read more…

Kirby-le-Soken is a picturesque village steeped in history and surrounded by stunning countryside and coastal scenery.  Part of the area known as The Sokens, it lies west of Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze, retaining its rural charm while offering easy access to seaside attractions. The name Kirby comes from Norse roots: “Kirk” (church) and “By” (village), meaning “village by the church.” The Read more…

Located in a small valley just 2 miles south of the Stour Estuary, Wix is a charming village in the Tendring district of Essex.  Once an important crossroads on the route to Harwich, Wix is now a peaceful rural destination with a fascinating past and easy access to scenic countryside walks. Wix’s name originates from the Old English word wic, Read more…

Little Bromley’s name originates from Old English, meaning “broom-covered clearing.” The village is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, highlighting its long-standing agricultural heritage. The most notable landmark is St. Mary’s Church, a Grade II* listed building dating back to the 12th century. Its striking tower and medieval architecture make it a must-see for history enthusiasts. The churchyard offers Read more…

Situated just three miles west of Harwich, Ramsey is a picturesque village in the Tendring district of Essex, offering a blend of rural tranquillity and fascinating heritage.  With its elevated position overlooking the River Stour and easy access to coastal paths, Ramsey is a perfect destination for walkers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a peaceful escape. Ramsey’s roots stretch back Read more…

Nestled on the southern bank of the River Stour, Wrabness is a tranquil village just six miles west of Harwich. Known for its stunning estuary views, rich history, and thriving wildlife, Wrabness is a perfect destination for walkers, nature lovers, and those seeking peace and quiet. Wrabness dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, its name likely derived from a Saxon called Read more…

With its rich railway and maritime heritage, proximity to Harwich’s historic attractions, and access to scenic coastal walks, Parkeston is more than a port, it is a destination for history lovers, walkers, and anyone seeking a unique slice of Essex life. Parkeston was originally part of Ray Island, a tidal marshland known as Le Rey during the Saxon period. I Read more…

Great Oakley is a picturesque village offering a peaceful countryside escape with a fascinating past.  Its name derives from the Anglo-Saxon term meaning “oak clearing”, suggesting its origins during woodland clearance in the 9th or 10th century.  The village is even recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, marking it as a wealthy parish in Norman times.  Over the centuries, Read more…

The Essex Way is a picturesque 81-mile walking route that stretches from Epping in the west to Harwich on the northeast coast, showcasing the county’s rich countryside, historic villages, and scenic landscapes. As it enters the Tendring District, the trail passes through tranquil rural areas and charming places like Lawford, Manningtree, Mistley, Bradfield, Wrabness, Ramsey, Dovercourt Bay before culminating at Read more…

Located along the Essex Sunshine Coast, Jaywick Sands offers a laid-back seaside atmosphere with wide, sandy beaches ideal for walking, relaxing, and enjoying panoramic sea views.  Its peaceful charm and welcoming community make it a perfect spot for a quiet escape. A highlight of the area is the Jaywick Martello Tower, a restored 19th-century coastal defence structure that now serves Read more…

Created as part of the Royal Geographical Society’s ‘Discovering Britain’ series of walks, this self-guided audio walk ‘Deep Water’ uncovers how the see has been both a friend and foe to Harwich over the centuries. Audio commentary by Coraline Millar and Neil Darcy Jones. Visit the RGS Website. With a starting point of Harwich Town railway station, CO12 3NA (overpaid.slick.swatted) and a finishing Read more…

Owned by The Harwich Society, the Harwich Maritime Trail has 21 locations that takes an individual from the Low Lighthouse and through Harwich Town to the Radar Tower. Come across various historical delights such as the Treadwheel Crane, the Lifeboat Museum, the Electric Palace Cinema, Ha’penny Pier and Visitor Centre, the Harwich Redoubt Fort and much more whilst walking the Read more…

Following on from the Clacton Heritage Trail, this beautiful scenic walk contains a variety of locations that span from the Gunfleet Estuary in Holland Haven to the Naze Tower at Walton-on-the-Naze. There’s lots to see following the trail and plenty of fantastic places to relax en-route.   Read more…

The Clacton Heritage Trail, sometimes referred to as the Clacton 150, was created using National Lottery Heritage Funding during 2021. It covers 5 miles of beautiful seafront and with 19 different locations to visit accompanied by signs that contain information of the historical ongoings within that area. Starting from Location 1 at the Sunspot and ending at Location 19; Borrow Read more…

Detail from a pamphlet reporting on the trials of several women in 1618, showing how the popular press depicted female witches (courtesy of the British Library C.27.b.35). Witchcraft Beliefs Step into the Shadows of History Explore the Tendring Witch Heritage Trail*, an immersive journey through the stories of those affected by the Essex witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries. Read more…