09 essex burnham-on-crouch

■ Distance: 6¼ miles/10km ■ Time: 3 hours ■ Grade: Moderate

Alex Roddie enjoys the best bit of the undulating South Downs Way

■ Distance: 10 miles/15.5km ■ Time: 5 hours ■ Grade: Challenging

■ Distance: 10½ miles/17km ■ Time: 5 hours ■  Grade: Challenging

■ Distance: 5¼ miles/8.5km ■ Time: 2½ hours ■ Grade: Moderate

Amy McPherson explores an interesting stretch of our coastline, where nature is recovering from the region’s industrial past