Walking Trails

Walking the Essex Sunshine Coast: Discover Tendring on Foot

From windswept headlands and peaceful creeks to historic towns and bustling piers, the Tendring district offers some of the most varied and scenic walking routes on the Essex Sunshine Coast. Whether you’re after a gentle seaside stroll or a day-long adventure, this corner of Essex is rich with accessible, waymarked trails that reveal a coastline full of characterful villages, unexpected wildlife, and fascinating stories from the past.

Highlights include the haunting Witch Heritage Trail around Manningtree, St Osyth, Harwich and Walton-on-the-Naze.  You’ll find seaside charm on the Frinton to Jaywick promenade walk, tranquil riverside views between Mistley and Manningtree, and artistic inspiration on the estuary route from Wrabness to Ramsey, passing Grayson Perry’s striking House for Essex. No matter if you’re a seasoned rambler or simply looking for a refreshing dose of sea air, walking in Tendring is a brilliant way to explore this unique stretch of the Essex coast.

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    Tendring CAMRA RambAles – Explore the Essex Sunshine Coast on Foot! Discover a different side of the Essex Sunshine Coast with Tendring CAMRA RambAles – a collection of self‑guided pub walks that combine coastal scenery, countryside paths and welcoming local pubs. The RambAles link many of the area’s seaside towns, villages and rural landscapes, including routes near Clacton‑on‑Sea, Walton‑on‑the‑Naze, Harwich, Read more…
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    Brightlingsea – A Walker’s Paradise

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    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…
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    Brook Country Park

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    Brook Country Park is located between the A133 and London Road Roundabout in Clacton. The park consists of rough grassland with scattered blocks of young trees. It provides an informal, quiet countryside recreation for the public and contributes towards the bio-diversity of the area. There are a network of grass paths throughout the park and an all-weather access path for less Read more…
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    Clacton Heritage Trail

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    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…
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    Coastal Trail

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    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…
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    Essex Way

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    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…
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    Explore History with the Harwich Society

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    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…
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    Harwich ‘Deep Water’ Walking Trail

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    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…
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    Harwich Maritime Trail

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    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…
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    Mediterranean Garden

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    The Mediterranean Garden, formerly known as Flat Garden 1, changed beyond all recognition during the refurbishment of the late 1990’s. The lawn and paved areas were removed, informal borders were created using silver leaved and drought resistant plants, the borders were dressed with gravel mulch. The path areas were re-aligned and constructed with golden quartz bonded gravel, this sandy finish Read more…
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    Step into the Shadows of History – Tendring Witch Heritage Trail

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    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. Featuring sculpted benches, informative displays, and augmented reality experiences across Manningtree, St Osyth, Harwich, and Walton-on-the-Naze, the trail brings the past to life in a powerful and thought-provoking way. Read more…
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    Thorpe-le-Soken & Beaumont Circular Walk

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    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…
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    Walks in Tendring

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    Discover the best walking routes in Tendring and experience the stunning landscapes of the Essex Sunshine Coast.  From coastal walks in Essex with panoramic sea views to peaceful countryside trails near Clacton-on-Sea, there’s something for every walker. Top Walking Highlights: Essex Coastal Walks: Stroll along sandy beaches and historic seaside towns like Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze. Family-Friendly Walks in Essex: Perfect Read more…
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    Walton History Trail

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    A walk through the town and industrial areas of Walton-on-the-Naze with a focus on the history of the town. Medium Walk at a slow pace. Dogs and children are welcome. This is a medium length walk partly off road on paths that may be overgrown. Refreshments and toilets are available en route. Parts of the walk are on open sea Read more…
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    Walton Little Explorer trail

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    A walk around the town of Walton designed for children stopping at points of interest with things to see and do. Dogs and children are welcome. This walk is all on road. Refreshments and toilets are available en route. Bring paper and crayons to do rubbings of the signs en route. Read more…
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    Walton Wildlife Trail

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    A wildlife walk around the stunning Naze at Walton, as an introduction to the new Trails project, a group of walks in and around Walton. Fairly long walk at a fairly slow pace. Dogs are welcome, on a lead near nesting areas. Children welcome but consider walk length. This walk is mainly off road, and the terrain is grassy and Read more…
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    Walton WW2 Trail

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    An interesting walk exploring the history of the Naze during World War Two. Short walk at a slow pace. Dogs and children are welcome. This walk is off road, and the terrain is grassy and can be uneven. Refreshments and toilets are available at the start point. Read more…
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    Wrabness Local Nature Reserve

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    Wrabness Local Nature Reserve is located on the southern bank of the River Stour between Manningtree and Harwich, it is a mixture of unimproved grassland, wooded areas and marshland with extensive intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh. A network of paths and specially designed ramps makes for easy access for the disabled visitor. You can enjoy both Coppice woodland and watching waders Read more…
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