Mulberry Harbour Walk take 2
Sun, 18 Aug
|Mulberry Harbour, Thorpe Bay, Thorpe Bay
Walking out to sea at low tide to get close to the Mulberry Harbour Structure that sits about a mile out from Thorpe Bay
Time & Location
18 Aug 2024, 17:30 – 19:30
Mulberry Harbour, Thorpe Bay, Thorpe Bay, Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea SS1, UK
About the event
What is the Mulberry Harbour? The Mulberry harbour is located on an offshore sandbank in the Thames estuary. It is a section called a "caisson" of the floating Mulberry harbour which was intended for use during the D-Day landings in June 1944. (80 years ago). While this section was being towed down from the River Humber to Normandy, it sprang a leak by the river Crouch, so it was towed into the Thames Estuary to wait inspection, but in a squall it broke free. The concrete shell got punctured and it started to flood, and at low tide it became grounded on the sandbank in the Thames estuary, where it remains to this day.
This is a walk that will take us about a mile offshore at low tide, we will be walking on sand, mud and through water, so it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get to the harbour, there is a natural pool around the structure, so swimming is possible, but it’s a great structure to photograph and walk around. I will also provide you with interesting info about the structure. It’s also an amazing view of southend seafront. Worth it for the view alone.
I would allow for between 2 – 2 ½ hours for this walk.Â
What to wear/bring: No matter what footwear you choose, it will get wet. We suggest wearing shorts and watersports shoes or old trainers, as you may need to wade through water up to knee-deep (flip flops are not advisable). Dress appropriately for the weather, as there is no shelter from the wind or sun once you leave the shore. Bring a windproof jacket and consider using sunscreen and wearing a sun hat. More info will be provided on this closer to the date
Please be aware that I am a qualified walk leader and have guided walks out to this structure before.