Northey Island circular walk, Maldon, Essex
Starting and finishing in Maldon. Northey Island is a remote island in the Black-water Estuary that's cut off at high tide. It's the closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex. Only really suitable for those of an active nature. Don't forget the wellingtons....
Safety issues
Before coming telephone the warden (01621 853142) to let him know you are coming. Check tide times - the causeway is covered and not passable for two hours either side of high tide. Check tide times in external links at bottom of page.
Map
Start:
Maldon Marine Parade Recreation Ground Car Park
1
Park in Marine Parade Promenade Car Park. Leave the car park and walk out to the road (Park Drive). Turn left onto Park Drive
2
Walk along Park Drive passing a sign to the Recycling centre on the left. Continue on Park Drive, and pass the Football Club entrance on the left. The road bends round to the right, and just past the bend take a marked footpath on the left.
3
The path runs along the left-hand side of an open field, with the football pitches to the left. At the end of the field follow the path which veers round to the right.
4
After approximately 50 metres from the turn in the path, go through a gap in the hedge on the left. Follow the path along the left-hand side of the field, with hedges and trees on the left. Take time to stop and listen to the birdsong coming from the hedges.
5
At the end of the field you reach a road (South House Chase). Turn left and walk towards South House Farm. Go through the white gates and proceed on the road between farm buildings. This is a working farm, so please keep dogs on leads.
6
Proceed along the road, which bends as you go, and continue through an open metal gate. Bear right at the gate, and the road rises slightly as you meet the sea wall. Enjoy a beautiful view of the marshes and mud-flats, and you may see Thames Barges in the Estuary. Continue walking down onto the Causeway before crossing over it onto the Island. Remember the tide covers the Causeway and makes it inaccessible for two hours either side of high tide.
Battle of Maldon
The Battle of Maldon's location here in 991 makes Northey the oldest recorded battlefield in Britain. Although the battle's exact site on the island's shores has not yet been discovered, standing on the Causeway it's easy to imagine hearing the clash of swords and whistle of arrows in flight.
7
Cross the Causeway and walk on up the lane between hedges. There are some good views of the Estuary to your left. Keep walking, and as the path bends sharply to the right, you will find a bench on the left where you can take a breather, enjoy the peace, and take in open views across the River Blackwater.
Birdlife on the Island
Many different forms of wildlife call this place home. Thousands of birds including Brent geese stay here for the winter and graze Northey’s pastureland. Shelduck, godwit, avocet, greenshank, golden and grey plover also visit in significant numbers.
8
Continue along the path towards the Warden's Cottage. There is a gap in the hedge on the left just before the cottage (signed 'Private') should you wish to wander through and look across the marshes. Now retrace your steps to the the Causeway.
Nobel Prize Winner
In 1923, Sir Norman Angell, Nobel Peace Prize winner, bought the island. He added the turreted garden walls and towered Northey House to an exisiting farm house later destroyed during a Second World War air-raid. Sir Norman was on a Nazi death list but perhaps it was the military appearance of the site that attracted attention.
9
Go to the top of the small ridge at the end of the Causeway and turn right at a footpath marker, going through a gate onto the sea wall. Continue walking along the sea wall and go through a kissing gate. Walk along the path with a fence to the left.
World Famous salt
Look back towards Northey Island and you'll see that the salt-marsh is regularly inundated with salt water from the estuary. The salt-marsh has made Maldon internationally famous, with Maldon salt being used in cooking the world over.
10
At the end of the path, join the tarmac road and turn left through a metal gate. Turn right and the Council Recycling Centre is on your left. Follow the road ahead until arriving back at Marine Parade Promenade Car Park.
End:
Maldon Marine Parade Recreation Ground Car Park
