Thames Estuary Path
Explore the Thames Estuary on this walk through Essex and Kent.
The walk runs from Foulness Island to the Isle of Sheppey, passing Southend, Gravesend and Rochester. The scenery includes salt marshes, mudflats and open beaches, including the North Kent Marshes and the Essex Marshes.
Thames Estuary Trail Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Thames Estuary Trail Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Thames Estuary Trail OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Thames Estuary Trail Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Three Daws in Gravesend is one of the must see pubs on the route. The historic riverside inn dates back to the 1400s, making it one of the oldest in the country. As such it's steeped with tales of smugglers, Press Gangs, hauntings and the like. It would have been a popular haunt for seamen as at one time large sailing merchant ships used to anchor off the Three Daws. Today you can enjoy lovely British food in the garden area overlooking the River Thames. It's a splendid spot to relax in on warmer days. You can find them at the start of the walk at the Town Pier with a postcode of DA11 0BJ for your sat navs.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
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.
Coalhouse Point & the Thames Estuary. Looking across the Thames Estuary towards Kent. A path along the waters edge can be followed from here upriver to Tilbury where you can visit the historic Tilbury Fort.
The trail passes through the RSPB's Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve to the east of Gravesend. The reserve consisting of more than 200 hectares of fresh and salt-water lagoons, salt marsh and scrub was acquired by the RSPB in 2001. The pools are the result of clay extraction. There are a number of rights of way across the reserve so there is easy access for the public. The picture was taken from a viewpoint constructed for birdwatchers with powerful binoculars!
Shornemead Fort. The long distance path leads from Gravesend along the sea wall embankment. It passes the World War II Fort and then heads towards Cliffe (and another fort). The red and white beacon on the left is a mudflat warning beacon in the River Thames. The now-disused artillery fort was built in the 1860s to guard the entrance to the Thames from seaborne attack. The surviving fragments of the fort and the area around it are part of a nature reserve and can be visited by the public.
Rochester Castle Keep and Bailey.
Sheerness Beach from close to Garrison Point. On the Isle of Sheppey at the end of the route.