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sea kayaking 10 Stone Point wild camp, the naze ‘Savages Camp’ in Arthur Ransome’s Secret Waters. Best reached by canoe, though possible on foot from The Naze (Walton) after careful consideration of the tides. A mile’s walk N of the Naze (see entry) ,, or launch a canoe from Kirby-le-Soken (see entry) at high tide and head down the Walton Channel. Experienced kayakers only. 30 mins, 51.8829, 1.2635 *2whN XX 15 Immediately after crossing onto island ,, (B1025) turn L dir East Mersea. Continue 3 miles to road end and find limited parking (near Ivy House, CO5 8US). Walk E to sea wall, then R to corner, then L to cross to beach. Follow beach around L to tip at mouth of estuary to find steep oyster-shell beach – careful of currents at mid-tide. Also reached by ferry from Brightlingsea (CO7 0AP, 01206 302200). Or try Cudmore Grove County Park beach (previous turning, signed) with easier parking and access, to the S part of the same shore (shallower water). 5 mins, 51.7998, 1.0066 N2o
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Essex Coast & Creeks
11 colne ESTUARY kayaking Launch near the harbour at Brightlingsea Creek and paddle N up the Colne River to the pub at Wivenhoe. Or paddle S to sea and pitch up on wild Colne Point or St Osyth beach. Experienced kayakers only. Start ,, near the marina (CO7 0GE), or contact Nomadseakayaking.co.uk (0845 872 4868) for guided trips. 60 mins, 51.8055, 1.0232 *2whN 12 Ray Island nature reserve Adventurous souls can canoe around this desolate spit, while Essex Wildlife Trust members can walk the path in season. Explore the shingle foreshore and sheep-
grazed grassland, soaking up the silence and looking for finches, waders and water voles. Launch at high tide from the moorings by ,, Coast Rd, Mersea Island, CO5 8PA. Paddle NE up Ray Channel, crossing N to the reserve. 20 mins, 51.7987, 0.9136 h24N
river swimming 13 Ulting & Hoemill Br, R Chelmer Lovely clean swimming and canoeing, for up to two miles downstream of bridge, or opposite pretty church. Watch out for boats. Signed Nounsley/Ulting off B1019 at S end ,, of Hatfield Peverel. From Ulting (after CM9 6QU) head S to the causeway and lock. Follow the footpath downstream. Limited parking, cycle route 1. Also explore downstream from Boreham Bridge, upstream (51.7485, 0.5596). 5 mins, 51.7485, 0.6081 12 14 Thorrington tide mill and pond This restored water mill (open bank holidays and last Sunday of month April–September) stands by a pretty mill pond and creek. Sign on entrance, L on B1029 one mile N of ,, Brightlingsea (CO7 8JL). 5 mins, 51.8350, 1.0204 7U