Foulness Island
This circular walk explores Foulness Island on the east coast of Essex. The island is an internationally important site for migrating and breeding birds, including pied avocets. It has a number of public footpaths but it's owned by the MOD so you must not only access them when the Red Flags are lowered and the Range is not active.
The walk starts in the village of Churchend in the centre of the island. From here you can pick up footpaths heading north west to the coastal paths along the River Roach and the River Crouch. You can then follow riverside paths before heading inland to Courtsend and Fisherman's Head on the south side of the island. Here you can pick up the Thames Estuary Path and follow the waymarked trail south west to Eastwick Head, Rugwood Head, Asplins Head and New Burwood Head. Here you turn north to follow inland trails back to Churchend, passing Priestwood and the Turtle Wall on the way.
Foulness Island Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Foulness Island Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Foulness Island OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Foulness Island Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
On the opposite side of the River Roach you will find Wallasea Island. The area is a RSPB nature reserve with marshland, lagoons, sea views and lots of birdlife to look out for.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Essex Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Foulness Island: Heritage Centre, Churchend. This pretty cottage which was once the island's primary school, has now become the Heritage Centre. Some fascinating displays, photographs and architectural finds can be seen inside the old school house which can be viewed by appointment. In high summer a tractor ride departs from this area to take visitors to the village fete on an island tour.
Parish church of St Mary the Virgin, St Thomas and All Saints, Churchend, Foulness, Essex, seen from the south
Crouch Corner Foulness. This picture shows the foreshore and what looks to be an old landing stage at Crouch Corner on Foulness Island.
Cottages on the road out of Churchend
Across Crow Corner. Whilst cruising along the Crouch St Mary's Church was visible across Crow Corner
River Roach. Having just left Yokesfleet Creek early in the morning heading east down the River Roach. The water was like a mill pond, giving this effect, the river looked more like the sky than the sky!
Farms and fields of Foulness Island Looking across the fields to Churchend village from Courtsend.
Havengore Island near Foulness. This is the south-east corner of the MoD-owned land of Havengore Island viewed looking across Havengore Creek from the public footpath near Haven Point. The creek is part of the complex of watercourses on the south side of the River Roach that separate Foulness Island and Havengore Island from the mainland. The creek, but not the island, forms part of the Foulness SSSI.