Along the Stour Estuary
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This is a linear walk following part of the Essex Way along the River Stour estuary from Manningtree Station to the port of Harwich. At the end of the walk, we will catch the train back to Manningtree.
The walk begins by passing through the town of Manningtree and the village of Mistley. From here we head inland for a bit, following the Essex Way through woodland and across some fields, before returning to the River Stour at Wrabness.
The walk then follows the south bank of the River Stour for several miles from Wrabness to Copperas Bay. The river is a tidal estuary, and is home to lots of wildlife and birdlife and the walk passes through salt marshes, woodlands and several nature reserves that are sited on the south bank of the river. There are stunning panoramic views across the river towards Suffolk, and on a clear day the Ports of Felixstowe and Harwich can be seen in the distance.
Then it's back inland for a bit towards the village of Ramsey, passing the local windmill en-route. Ramsey has a pub, offering the opportunity for a quick drink (time permitting). From there, we leave the Essex Way and head through some countryside to the industrial Port of Harwich, ending at Harwich International railway station, where we will catch the train back to Manningtree.
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Please bring a packed lunch, and plenty of water and snacks with you to last you the day. There will be limited opportunities to buy any food during the walk.
Time permitting, there should be an option to stop for a quick drink at a pub towards the end of the day.