I walked in early April on a fine day travelling east-west from Rochford to Rayleigh, I was planning on doing Rayroc one but I checked out the section of Rayroc two where they differ. I liked this section, I could see where paths had been wet previously, as when it was surveyed, but they were dry when I walked and I had no problems. It has more views south over the countryside than the woodland-bound Rayroc one....

James Piers Taylor

(I also checked out the section of Rayroc one which differs from this route. It seemed good to me, I could see where paths had been wet previously, as when it was surveyed, but they were dry when I walked and I had no problems.)...

James Piers Taylor

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). 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. 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....

James Piers Taylor

Rayleigh's picture-postcard parish church is near the start and is well-worth a peek (photos 1 & 2) before you head through the outskirts to pick up the path (photos 3 & 4) leading to Hockley Woods....

sherbie

It’s a delightful quiet green route most of the way, no refreshment stops, so we started with second breakfast at Rayleigh before setting off....

Jane Taylor

Further north, the bridle path which runs alongside the industrial estate between the river Roche and Tinkers Lane is just clear enough for a baby shetland to pass, but it’s really still crowded by foliage, and we were put off by a possible sighting of giant hogweed, so turned back....

Jane Taylor

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. 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. 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....

Jane Taylor

Footpaths are awful, overgrown, not cleared through farmers fields and large dips and curbs, narrow access making it impossible for wheels. Route is incorrect in two places, trying to use private roads or non existent footpaths...

Alex Thornton