Curlews, Convicts and Contraband (walking route), St. Mary Hoo

Making the most of the sunny weather, I headed to St. Mary Hoo this morning and joined public footpath RS22, before linking-up with the ‘curlews, convicts and contraband’ walking route. There were great views of the estuary as I walked across St. Mary’s Marshes and Halstow Marshes to St. Mary’s Bay and Egypt Bay. A favoured landing spot for smugglers, Egypt Bay was also home to Napoleonic prison ships.

From St. Mary Hoo (The Street), I walked towards Ross Farm and followed the road past The Old Rectory, where walking markers are placed. I followed these markers down through a number of fields before reaching St. Mary’s Bay.

The route between St. Mary’s Bay and Egypt Bay is clear, offering numerous opportunities to enjoy the views.

Although both St. Mary’s Bay and Egypt Bay are similar looking, Egypt Bay has had concrete sea defences added.