Wickford Walks
This Essex based commuter town is located on the tidal River Crouch, within the Borough of Basildon. The town includes a pleasant local nature reserve and country park where you can enjoy some easy local walking.
This walk takes you along the River Crouch to visit the Shotgate Thickets Nature Reserve, just to the east of the town. The reserve is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and is a nice place for a stroll and some wildlife watching. There's also some woodland trails and views of the River Crouch to enjoy here.
You can continue your walking around Wickford by heading south to visit Wick Country Park. Here you'll find 50 acres of former agricultural land, with over 2 km of easy access trails around the site. In the park you'll also find a lake, ponds, woodland, and boardwalks over the North Benfleet brook. You can find the park at postcode SS12 9LD, to the south east of the town centre and train station.
Wickford Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Wickford Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Wickford OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Wickford Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Wickford
- Battlesbridge - This Essex based village has some nice local trails along the River Crouch and a well known antiques centre housed in a picturesque old mill.
- South Woodham Ferrers - This Essex based town has some nice waterside footpaths along the local creek and river to try
- Marsh Farm Country Park - This country park in South Woodham Ferrers has miles of splendid waterside walking trails to enjoy
- Hanningfield Reservoir - This large body of water near Billericay has some nice woodland walking trails at its southern end
- Norsey Woods - These lovely woods near Billericay have some good waymarked footpaths to try
- St Peters Way - Travel from Chipping Ongar to the 7th century St Peter's Chapel on St Peter's Flat on this walk through Essex
- Thorndon Country Park - This large country park is located near Brentwood in Essex and contains a number of fine woodland trails, ideal for walking or cycling
- Hornchurch Country Park - Enjoy a walk or cycle through this large country park in Havering in the Ingrebourne Valley
- Ingatestone - This pretty Essex based village has some nice country trails to try
- Billericay - This Essex based town has some nice country walking trails, a popular local wood and a nearby reservoir to enjoy.
- Hockley Woods - Follow the peaceful walking trails through this large area of mixed woodland near Rayleigh in Essex
- Saffron Trail - A walk through the Essex countryside from the coast at Southend-on-Sea to Saffron Walden
- Belhus Woods Country Park - Enjoy the pretty lakes and peaceful woodland trails in this country park near Ockendon and Dagenham.
- Basildon - This major town in Essex has some fine local parks for walking and cycling.
Pubs/Cafes
The Quart Pot is located near the start of the walk at Runwell. The traditional pub serves good food and includes a large country garden and outdoor games for warmer days. You can find them at postcode SS11 7PN for your sat navs. The pub is also dog friendly outside.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head east and you can visit neighbouring Battlesbridge and South Woodham Ferrers where you can explore the riverside Marsh Farm Country Park.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Essex Walks page.
Photos
Memorial Park, Wickford
Shotgate Pond
Giddings Copse. The bird box in Giddings Copse was almost certainly placed with the advice of the Wickford Wildlife Society
Shotgate Thickets. This reserve is owned by Essex Wildlife trust all three types of U.K woodpecker frequent the reserve. There is a good mix of aquatic, scrub and woodland habitats that support lots of wildlife. This is the entrance on the footpath from Battlesbridge
Shotgate pond in the nineties
River Crouch. Downstream of Wickford and viewed looking downstream.
The Wick Country Park trail
Wick Country Park wetlands