Wivenhoe, The River Colne and Alresford Creek

Starting and finishing at Wivenhoe train station this will be a lovely summers day walk of just under 8 miles.  We'll have plenty of time to find a lovely spot for a picnic lunch and for those wishing to indulge a well earned pint of something cold and wet at the end of the walk in one of Wivenhoe's pubs

Wivenhoe is a picturesque little town with a very pleasant waterfront and some lovely old houses. Shipbuilding was formerly carried on here and we will pass through the site of the old shipyard. There is also an impressive barrage, built to prevent tidal surges reaching the town and Colchester further upriver. An observation platform near it makes a good place to sit and have a snack before the main part of your walk. 

The Colne is a picturesque river and the stretch of the former Crab and Winkle Line, which used to join Colchester and Brightlingsea and  the area around Alresford is much used for obtaining sand and gravel - we will  pass several workings. The water-filled pits of disused workings provide pleasant lakes and homes for wildfowl and wildlife as well as the haunts of anglers. You again pass a number of these on your way.