Visited on Thursday, 25th September 2025, as part of a solo visit with my dog. Drove from Basildon, and the nearer you get, the smaller/quieter the roads become. It feels like a well-to-do area, but both the drive there and away is quite convoluted with signage about not wanting more development. Once you arrive at Tollesbury Village and head to the marina, there is a small public car park on the left just before you get to the marina, which contains a public toilet. Once parked, head to the Marina and Sail Lofts. I made a mistake here and turned left at the seawall before the Sail Lofts and Marina, which just takes you on a path towards Ipswich!!! After realising my mistake, I turned back and retraced my steps, then past the Sail Lofts and kept right of the Marina, walking past the Salt Pool and Marina Clubhouse. You then come to a sign and a gate indicating you have reached the entrance of the Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve. Once you enter the reserve, the path is an elevated sea wall with the Marina on the left as you walk towards the river and the disused Nuclear Power Station on the opposite bank. There are a couple of benches on the path, and you pass a couple of WW2 pill boxes. The nature reserve is on the right side of the walk when travelling in the direction described. I didn't see any wild birds, bar a few ducks and Swans. About 3/4 of the way around the path, you see the Radio Caroline ship moored in the estuary, and then you reach the end of the sea wall; it isn't obvious where you head to complete the loop back to the car park. I headed right, as it was a way of completing the circle of the walk, but you end up on a farm lane, up to a sty gate. After this your on the outskirts of the village and you can follow your nose back to the car park. There are a couple of cafes you pass near the marina and one in the sail loft, but these closed at 3pm on the day I visited, so check if you planned on a post-walk cuppa. Overall, the walk was 16,600 steps and 11.13 km. No toilet facilities, bar those in the car park.

A lovely walk along the river bank. Be prepared with suitable footwear as very uneven surfaces. Went with a Wildlife Trust representative (John) he was so knowledgeable. Spotted several bird species. Need your binoculars! We’ll return in summer.

Had a wonderful peaceful walk with the family and dog here. There is plenty of wildlife to see, the smells of the Salt Marshes and the sounds of marina. Hardly came across anybody at all, it was bliss. There is a handy free car park nearby with exceptionally clean toilets.

My absolute favourite location in Essex for Family Photography. Tollesbury offers the most picturesque backgrounds, with the old boat sheds, marshes and the red lighthouse boat. This location is quiet and peaceful, we were almost all alone during the whole session. I cannot wait to go back there with my next client.

I love walking along the sea wall from one side of Tollesbury to the other. It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs but the views are great! Love to finish off with a snack in The Loft, one of my absolute favourite cafes. I would highly recommend this for a chilled, relaxing walk