Walking Forum

Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: Ronin83 on 21:18:30, 12/05/20

Title: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 21:18:30, 12/05/20
Hi.
As we're allowed to travel to exercise, but not wanting to go too far still or visit the major parks I'm thinking about heading east.
I want to know how long it takes to cross the Strood on foot. Google search just keeps giving me tide times.


Also not sure whether to circle the island somewhat or just include the crossing in part of a walk around that area.


Any advice please people?
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: MarkT on 21:48:47, 12/05/20
Mersea Island is very close to me and have walked around the island several times. I have never walked across The Strood though, only driven but I would estimate it should only take a few minutes (it's not that long) and has a path all the way along.


My personal advice would be to drive over the strood, tide times permitting, bear left at the fork, heading towards East Mersea. Almost immediately there is a big gravelly lay-by on the right hand side where u can park for free. From here you can easily find a path that takes you all the way around the island, approx 13 miles. I am not aware of any parking areas before you get to The Strood, coming from Colchester.


A nice walk with some good views. If you decide to walk around the island, be aware that due to coastal erosion the path takes you inland for a little bit, but then directs you back to the coast. (This was the case last year when I last walked it)


Any any other advice, just ask here, happy to pass on some local knowledge.
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 22:31:13, 12/05/20
That's awesome thanks.
So for this Sat it says high tide 8.06am, low tide 14.09. The website says to allow 1.5 hours each side of high tide to cross. Does that mean we have to cross by 6.30am to start the walk in the morning? Seems a bit extreme if it takes a matter of minutes.
Maybe I'd be better off waiting until the weekend after?
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 22:34:01, 12/05/20
Oh hang on, am I right in saying it only covers the Strood if it's around 5m or more?
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Owen on 06:15:12, 13/05/20
You can't cross between 06.30 and 09.30. If it's 1.5 hours either side of high water.


High water is when it's at it's deepest.
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 12:55:14, 14/05/20
You can't cross between 06.30 and 09.30. If it's 1.5 hours either side of high water.


High water is when it's at it's deepest.


I think it only covers at 5 metres or more.
I'm waiting for confirmation by a local though
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: MarkT on 17:22:05, 14/05/20
I have never had an issue crossing the strood. I think there is only an issue if the the tide is 5m or higher, as you've mentioned. I am no expert in tides and high tides but I don't think it gets covered with water that often, only when there is a very high tide or severe weather but please do not hold me to that.


Sorry I can't be of more use
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: ninthace on 17:36:02, 14/05/20
The website confirms 5m as being the issue and gives a link to the tide tables - shouldn't be too hard.  If it helps the tide follows the rule of twelfths. You can Google an explanation.
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 23:00:52, 17/05/20
I have never had an issue crossing the strood. I think there is only an issue if the the tide is 5m or higher, as you've mentioned. I am no expert in tides and high tides but I don't think it gets covered with water that often, only when there is a very high tide or severe weather but please do not hold me to that.


Sorry I can't be of more use


Thanks Mark, we did the walk today, parked where you said and it was very enjoyable. Such a nice day.
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: MarkT on 10:26:49, 18/05/20
Glad you enjoyed the walk. I guess the beaches at West Mersea would have been quite popular with people. Did you walk all the way around the island? If so did you have to cut inland or able to follow the beach/coastline all the way?
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 15:33:15, 18/05/20
Glad you enjoyed the walk. I guess the beaches at West Mersea would have been quite popular with people. Did you walk all the way around the island? If so did you have to cut inland or able to follow the beach/coastline all the way?


Yeh the only populated bit was near West Mersea. There was a bit just after the big restaurant near a mobile home park where the path was diverted due to collapse, but the diversion didn't really go anywhere and people were still going on so we checked it out and it was fine. I guess at high tide it would be dangerous.
We did the whole coast. Stayed near the coast the whole time really.
I'll have a video up on YouTube soon.
It was so nice
Title: Re: Mersea Island advice
Post by: Ronin83 on 15:36:26, 18/05/20
My only regret was wearing boots. Trail runners or even normal trainers would have been perfect. It was totally dry and mostly flat.