About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Quirky, independent, and defined by the Thames Estuary, Canvey offers wild marshes, ancient inns and arty promenades all with a nostalgic dash of rhythm and blues. Separated from the mainland of south Essex by a network of creeks and lying just above sea level, it is built on land reclaimed by Dutch engineers. Discovered by Victorian beach lovers from the East End of London, Canvey became the fastest-growing seaside resort in Britain until competition from the burgeoning holiday package industry halted its further development. Today, the south coast strongly reflects this golden era with beaches, promenades and cafes. Its interior is built up, while its coastal areas contrast between the petrochemical industry and vast nature reserves of the west, to the wild marshes of the north and marinas and country parks in the east.
Highlights of Canvey Island
- Explore wild marsh and sands at Canvey Point
- Infamous and historic Lobster Smack Inn
- Colourful murals along the sea wall near Concorde Beach
- Bugs and birds of Canvey Wick
How to get to Canvey Island
Train to Benfleet station. By car, take M25, leave at junction 29 and head E on A127 (dir. Southend-on-Sea) for 21 kilometres, then A130 S on to Canvey Island. At first roundabout, take L to Benfleet station.
What to do on Canvey Island
Things to do on Canvey Island
Welcome to Canvey Island, a fascinating island in Essex, offering a good mix of natural [...]
Jan
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Essex
- Size: 1840 hectares
- Terrain: Marked tracks
- Access: Road bridge
- Height gain: 100 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 175
- Starting point: Benfleet Station; grid ref TQ 777 859
Cycle around Canvey Island summary
This clockwise walk or bike ride is on a flat well-marked trail along the sea wall that protects the island. Much of the route follows the creeks through the peaceful green marshes of the north and along the glistening bird-filled mudflats that are exposed at low tide in the south. A colourful section along the seawall of the Thames, with its art-deco café and murals, is followed by a fascinating insight into the island’s petrochemical heritage and Britain’s first nature reserve for bugs at Canvey Wick.
Canvey Island Cycle route description
From Benfleet station turn L past the bus stops along Ferry Road and after 340m cross the bridge onto Canvey Island, keeping to the L-hand bike/walkway. After a further 150m or so leave it and turn L onto a smaller gravel track through the grass park past the Canvey Gateway information board, with Benfleet Yacht Club to L.
Continue straight over the road leading into the marina to follow a post marked with three white stripes. Pass the allotments and golf course and continue around the sea wall with the Benfleet Yacht Club to L. Follow the sea wall through the marshes, over Tewes Creek sluice gate, and continue around Canvey Heights Country Park towards the marina at Oyster Creek. Cross the track to the marina, turning R uphill for a few metres, through the metal gates and then immediately L to follow the sea wall that wraps around Oyster Creek to the car park of the Canvey Yacht Club.
Follow the footpath sign, between the buildings of the club and yacht yard, to Canvey Point. Return to the sea wall and continue S along the wide bike/walkway. After 480m, or so, when the sea wall turns sharp R (W) use the stairs to drop down to the lower path for views of the estuary and to enjoy the artwork. Pass Concord beach café and reach the Labworth 400m further on.
At Thorney Bay continue along the outside of the sea wall, keeping L towards the industrial buildings and past the large caravan site. Cross various metal gates and bridges past the old petrochemical works. At the Lobster Smack (6) continue along the sea wall to reach Hole Haven sluice and its dilapidated jetty (7) and then Canvey Wick Nature Reserve (8) after a further 600m. Bear right at the shipping sign for the tide barriers and after 100m cross the track, continuing on the grass embankment to follow East Haven Creek and West Canvey Marsh Nature Reserve (9).
Pass underneath the A130 flyover and continue on the grass bank parallel to East Haven Creek and Benfleet on the mainland. Cross Canvey Road and continue along the bike/walkway back across the island’s bridge to return to Benfleet station.
