Tendring CAMRA - RambAle 10 - Brightlingsea to Wivenhoe

The route

This route was designed so walkers can get a train to Wivenhoe, then a bus to Brightlingsea, with the walk returning them to Wivenhoe for them to take the train home.

The route begins at the Railway Tavern in Brightlingsea, heads north out of Brightlingsea to be able to cross Alresford Creek at Thorrington Tide Mill. It heads past Broomfield Plantation before meeting Ford Road where we make a slight diversion into Alresford for the Pointer.

After the Pointer we head back down the lane turning right by the war memorial to follow the footpath that passes the ruins of Saint Peter's Church, built about 1320 but destroyed by fire in 1971.

This path then takes us steadily down towards the River Colne until we join the course of the former Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea railway line, where we turn right. We follow this path into Wivenhoe, at one point passing through a gate which marks the boundary between Tendring and Colchester.

Upon arrival in Wivenhoe follow paths along the side of the river until you reach The Rose and Crown. Shortly before reaching it you will notice the Black Buoy up a road to the right - after the Rose and Crown stop retrace your steps and take this road to the Black Buoy.

Depending on how time is going you may want to visit other Wivenhoe pubs, with The Greyhound not being too far away, and The Station being opposite the railway station so handy for the trains.

In April 2018 we plan to arrive at the Railway Tavern at about 12:15 to start walking at 12:45

Estimated timings

Based on previous RambAle's estimates are based on 4km per hour rounded to the next 15 minute interval, with a half hour stop per pub.

We start at the Railway Tavern, and head up to the Cherry Tree which is about half a mile, so should be less than 15 minutes. Assume we'll be there 13:00 to 13:30.

After the Cherry Tree we have the longest section of the walk at 4.0 miles which might take about an hour and three-quarters, getting us to the Pointer about 15:15.

Leaving the Pointer at 15:30, we have a section of walk which will probably take just over an hour, so rounding up to 75 minutes estimates us arriving at the Rose and Crown at about 17:00.

It will take less than five minutes to get from there to the Black Buoy, so not even worth rounding that up. Assume Black Buoy 17:32 to 18:00. Allow at least five minutes to get from the Black Buoy to the railway station (more to be safer).

Approximate distances including optional stops(imperial only):

  • Railway Tavern, Brightlingsea to Cherry Tree, Brightlingsea - 0.5mi
  • Cherry Tree, Brightlingsea to Pointer, Alresford - 4.0mi
  • Pointer, Alresford to Rose and Crown, Wivenhoe - 2.6mi
  • Rose and Crown, Wivenhoe to Black Boy, Wivenhoe - 0.1mi

Getting to Brightlingsea

On 7th April 2018 it is probably easiest to take the train to Wivenhoe and then a bus to Brightlingsea. Please let us know if you plan attending.

At the time of writing, take either the First in Essex 62 service or Hedingham Omnibus 87 service from next to Wivenhoe Co-Op, and get off either in Victoria Place (by Tesco) in Brightlingsea on the 62, or outside the pub on the 87.

From Clacton we hope to catch the 11:01 train and the number 62 bus at 11:48.

Route documents

Booklet printable (2 pages per side, double sided print)

Standard PDF (1 page per sheet)