St Peter’s Way: The Maldon District – Day One (Purleigh to Steeple)

Follow the ancient pilgrim route of St Peter’s Way across the heart of the Dengie Peninsula. Beginning in the hilltop village of Purleigh, this rewarding walk crosses open farmland and passes the site of a Norman motte before crossing the course of a dismantled railway. At Mundon, discover the mysterious medieval church and its extraordinary “petrified” oaks before continuing towards Mundon Creek and the riverside settlement of Maylandsea. The final section combines rural paths and seawall scenery, passing the once-busy Pigeon Dock before reaching Steeple and the welcoming Star. This varied day walk brings together isolated historic landmarks, wide estuary landscapes and some of the Dengie’s most peaceful countryside.

Start time: 9:00 start – this will be the time walkers must assemble at The Star for the transfer
Distance: 9.7 miles

Route Information:

Route Length Category – Long

Accessibility of route – The route includes stiles. Footpaths could be muddy after wet weather, so stout footwear is required.

Meeting point, parking and walk finish – The Star, The Street, Steeple, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7LF. Walkers should drive to The Star and leave their cars there before travelling by Festival-arranged minibus transport to the walk start.

Public transport – This linear walk is planned around walkers travelling by car and assembling at the finish, then travelling to the start by Festival minibus transport. No suitable public-transport alternative has been identified.

Parking – Parking is available in The Star’s car park by kind permission of the pub. In return for using the car park, walkers are expected to have lunch and/or refreshments at The Star after the walk. Please park considerately and follow any directions given by the Festival team.

Walk start – Purleigh Village Hall, The Glebe, Purleigh.

Transport arrangements – Festival-arranged transfers will take walkers from The Star to Purleigh Village Hall. The walk then returns to the cars parked at The Star.

Toilets – Toilets are expected to be available at The Star before departure and after the walk.

Public transport – This linear walk is planned around walkers assembling at the finish and travelling to the start by Festival minibus. No suitable public-transport alternative has been identified.

Lunch – Walkers should bring snacks, sufficient drinks and snacks, as there will be no scheduled pub lunch stop during the walk. There will also be an optional late lunch at The Star after the walk. Those wishing to eat should arrive in sufficient time to select and pre-order their meal before the minibus departs. Lunch and refreshments are not included in the Festival and must be paid for by walkers.

Linear route – Field footpaths, farmland tracks, village streets and seawall paths.