Northey Island circular walk
Northey Island is a remote island in the Blackwater Estuary that's cut off by the tides. It's the closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex. This trail is suitable for those of an active nature.
Near to
Northey IslandStart point
Maldon, Promenade Park car park. Satnav: CM9 5URTrail information
Safety issues
Due to the nature of the tides in the Blackwater, extra attention is needed when planning your visit. Please check local tide times for Maldon. The causeway is covered approximately 3 hours either side of high tide and there is no safe access during this time. Extra caution is required during spring tides or stormy conditions when the tides can come in more quickly. Under no circumstances attempt to cross the causeway if it is covered and allow plenty of time to get across. There is no visitor access to the house and gardens. Visitors must not walk onto the saltmarsh or mudflats. This is a tidal area with many unseen hazards and can be dangerous.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Maldon, Promenade Park car park. Satnav: CM9 5UR
Stage 1
From the start of the War Memorial Avenue, near the model boating lake car park, follow the England Coast Path to the sea wall.
Stage 2
Continue along the path as it leaves the park and joins the sea wall, where you'll see views across the estuary to Northey Island. There will be a chain link fence on your right as the path goes towards the Northey Island Causeway.
Stage 3
Turn left onto the causeway and cross to the island. Remember the tide covers the causeway for approximately three hours either side of high tide, so please check Maldon tide times before setting off. The fields either side of the track are the registered site of the Battle of Maldon, which was fought in 991 BCE and is commemorated in the Anglo-Saxon poem of the same name.
Stage 4
Once you've crossed the causeway and have reached the island, follow the pink arrows along the tarmac track and go through the gateway until you reach a wooden pedestrian gate on your right. The fields on the right of the causeway are part of a coastal adaptation project to protect, restore and create saltmarsh. Sections of the sea wall have been removed to allow new saltmarsh to develop on the fields and migrate inland in response to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Stage 5
Turn right through the gate and follow the path to the bird hide. A new freshwater pond has been created which is now home to water voles relocated from elsewhere on the site. The fields are roosting areas for wintering birds including Brent geese.
Stage 6
Once you've stopped at the hide, follow the grass trail which goes up a slope and follows the sea wall. The former grass field seen from the hide was opened to the tide in April 2023. Mud and seed was deposited from the estuary, and it is now changing into new saltmarsh.
Stage 7
Turn left down the slope off the sea wall and follow the grass path around the field and through the copse to the tarmac track.
Stage 8
Turn left onto the track and walk between the hedges.
Stage 9
Turn left and continue along the track. From the bench on your right there is a good view across the estuary to Heybridge Basin, where you can take a breather and watch the wading birds feeding on the mudflats.
Stage 10
The bench on your right looks out across the river to Maldon. Return along the track to the causeway and then along the river wall to Promenade Park car park where toilets and refreshments are available.
Stage 11
You could also extend your walk along the sea wall to the end of the promenade, where there is a statue of Earl Byrhtnoth commemorating the Battle of Maldon. From here, you can take a look back across the saltmarsh and mudflats to Northey Island.
End point
Maldon, Promenade Park car park. Satnav: CM9 5UR
Trail map
This circular walk of Northey Island takes in views of the saltmarsh | © National Trust Images
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Get in touch
Maldon, Essex, CM9 6PP (no parking)
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