Basildon and District Rambling Club

Compass Gardens, via the Town Centre, Woodham Fen Nature Reserve and Marsh Farm Country Park

Distance: 5.02 Miles ​ Ascent: 295 Feet ​ Time: 2:09 Hours ​ Start Point: TQ 816 872 ​

Parking is in the Compass Gardens in Creekview Road at South Woodham Ferrers.

Walking Directions As you leave the car park head towards the flag pole and continue ahead to find an anchor in the middle of a circular display. Continue ahead here to exit onto Ferrers Road. Cross using the traffic island and turn left and then right onto Brickfields Road. Continue ahead onto Trinity Row and when you reach Trinity Square ahead turn right to follow the footpath ahead before taking the second left onto another footpath that leads out onto Clements Green Lane.

Continue ahead on the right hand side past four mini-roundabouts before turning right at the next mini-roundabout onto the Hullbridge Road. Cross just before the level crossing and turn right before taking the first left into the station car park. Go past the station buildings keeping to the right hand side of the car park before turning right and then immediately left onto a footpath.

Follow this to emerge onto Station Approach where you continue ahead to pick up the footpath again. Continue ahead to pass the dog waste bin before turning left to pass underneath Ferrers Road before entering Woodham Fen Nature Reserve ( Wildlife Trust). Turn left here and follow the path ahead to cross a bridge over Fenn Creek. Turn left when you reach a sign to cross the railway (TAKE CARE). ​ ​

Now continue ahead to pass a footbridge on your right before crossing a footbridge ahead across Fenn Creek. Turn right keeping the creek on your right. Continue ahead to pass through a gate before turning right onto White Tree Court and going past another gateway. Continue ahead onto a gravel track before turning immediately left onto another footpath. As the footpath bears right continue ahead to Fern Creek and then turn left keeping the creek on your right.

Continue ahead to merge onto another footpath to keep the creek on your right. Ignore the footpath off to the left and continue ahead to reach the where you can see Hullbridge opposite. Continue ahead to pass South Woodham Yacht Club on your left. When you reach the green dog waste bin turn left to make your way down the steps and then continue ahead on a broad enclosed path. When you reach the concrete track ahead, turn right.

Continue ahead onto a gravel track before going up the slope ahead to rejoin the sea wall footpath where you turn left. When the broad gravel track bears left, continue ahead keeping the water on your right. Where this track bears right at the end of the water, continue ahead down the slope onto an elevated enclosed footpath that you follow until you reach the second footpath on your left. Turn left here and go down the slope to follow the gravel track back to the car park.

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