Rocbur one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Rocbur here.

As noted in Jane's previous review, this route involves a seasonal-only ferry trip across the River Crouch. The ferry operates, weather permitting, from Good Friday to the end of September. Outside that period this route can’t take you the whole way between its start and end points. I’m knocking a single star off for that, but this is a great route in season.

Due to storm damage to the town pontoon the ferry currently leaves from/arrives at Burnham Yacht Harbour rather than Burnham Quay, as shown on the route map - check the exact departure point with the Burnham Harbourmaster (office by the marina jetty). I haven’t revised the route for two reasons: 1. You can use the Malbur one route to get you from the marina to the railway station, or proceed eastwards along the coastal path to reach Burnham Quay; and, 2. Burnham’s town pontoon is due to be replaced in the Summer of 2024, and the ferry should restart using it in 2025 - at which point the Burnham end of the route will be correct and it takes a direct route from the Quay to Burnham railway station.

The Ferry service is now stating its operating hours as:
Open 9-4:30
Last crossing from Burnham - no later than 4:15 pm
Last crossing from Wallasea - no later than 4:00 pm

But things can change, so to avoid disappointment/frustration it's a good idea to call the ferryman on your day of travel: 07704 060482

I walked in late March on the first day of the Ferry season in the Burnham to Rochford direction which avoided any fretting about last boat crossings. I think going the other direction makes for a finer trip though as then you are walking into increasingly rural, deep Essex - and finish off with the novelty of a ferry direct to Burnham - the Dengie's largest settlement - with pubs, shops, and places to stay before further adventuring!

In Paglesham East End you pass the Punch Bowl, a pub turned restaurant that's currently open Wednesdays to Sundays. (reservations recommended!)

If time is on your side I suggest a loop diversion via Paglesham East End. [Travelling from Rochford you carry on east at Stannets Creek. via the Roach Valley Way then east on the next road it meets]. There you'll find the Plough & Sail a traditional country pub serving real ale and locally sourced meals. Carry on to the boatyard for a view of the living maritime history of this backwater, a little further is the muddy dock of HMS Beagle into which its remains sunk and rotted.

If you didn't wet your whistle at either Punch Bowl or Plough & Sail, your last opportunity for refreshment this side of the River Crouch is The Wardroom River Cafe & Bar on Wallasea (no food on Mondays) accessible from the sea wall.

SEASONAL
Note that this Slow Way depends on a seasonal ferry - advertised times are Tuesday to Sunday 9-5, also Bank Holidays 9-5. Ferry runs Easter to end September. There is a website burnhamferry.co.uk and also a Facebook page, which may advertise amended ferry times, so worth checking.
At other times of year, and generally on Mondays, this is not a viable Slow Way.

The 2⭐️ score is all to do with the ferry; the walking part is 5⭐️ superb, although a couple of tweaks imo would be in order.
We didn’t check the Burnham end, which may need a redraw.

Ferry Reliability
The ferry is an ‘on demand’ licensed one man operation and our experience was not good; we arrived at Wallasea marina at 4.15, we thought that allowed plenty of time, and were very surprised when we called the number provided and were told he’d finished for the day. Wallasea being a bit out of the way it was a major inconvenience, and we arranged a taxi to come out and take us back to Rochford station.
On-line reviews of the ferry are almost entirely praise for the service, no idea what went wrong.

To mitigate risk of arriving at Wallasea in good time and being let down, I recommend calling before setting off to confirm he will run for you.

Ferry Crossing Route/Jetty Point Accuracy
As we didn’t get the ferry I can’t confirm accuracy, but the route as drawn shows the ferry running to a ferry terminal by the Anchor hotel in Burnham. This is the route marked on Google maps and OS maps. However the advertised ferry route runs to Burnham Yacht Harbour, and this route is marked on Open Street Maps. So I’m inclined to think the route will have to be redrawn at the Burnham end in any case. If/when I go to Burnham I will check it out!

The Walk is 5⭐️
We walked from Rochford heading for Burnham on hot day. The walk was superb - maybe would benefit from a small tweak or two, but really it’s lovely - big skies, creeks, Paglesham church - very enjoyable.
There’s a pub at Great Stambridge for refreshment.
The route is very well drawn, but there’s a couple of places where I would say the modern route is better/clearer following the edge of a field rather than going across it as per OS maps.
At one point, between the creek at Barton Hall and Stannets Creek, there are waymarks for the Roach Valley Way, which follows a nettley path, with a perfectly good track alongside. The route is drawn pretty well to stay with the track, so only choose the footpath (which is lush and cool and shady, so might appeal on a hot day) if you are nettle confident.

Paglesham Church was open and welcoming, there is an eco toilet too!

Approaching Wallasea we found ourselves following a sometimes narrow path on top of the sea wall, there did seem to be an easier option below the sea wall for softies.
The bar next to the Marina at Wallasea is very welcoming and we enjoyed multiple refreshments while we pondered our exit strategy.

It was a hot day and there were some long exposed stretches, good sun protection needed.
Another heads up is that Wallasea is an island, it can be cut off by very high tides which come up over the path.

Anyway after all that I’m flagging this route as a ‘maybe’, and I will try to check the accuracy of the Burnham end in time.

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