HMS Beagle Wreck Site – The Plough & Sail, Paglesham loop from Canewdon

Hiking trails & Routes

HMS Beagle Wreck Site – The Plough & Sail, Paglesham loop from Canewdon

Moderate

4.6

(10)

hikers

HMS Beagle Wreck Site – The Plough & Sail, Paglesham loop from Canewdon

02:57

11.7km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

5.65 km

Shipwreck at Paglesham Pool

Highlight • Historical Site

The salt marsh at Paglesham Pool preserves traces of past oyster cultivation, evident in rows and rectangular pool-shaped depressions.

Further downstream, attention is drawn to a substantial box-shaped structure - the rusted metal core of a shipwrecked wooden vessel. A handful of derelict boats rest near the oyster beds, and just beyond, concealed beneath the marshland, lies the remains of the HMS Beagle.

Tip by

5.79 km

Paglesham Pool

Highlight • River

6.01 km

HMS Beagle Wreck Site

Highlight • Viewpoint

This small, ruined dock amid abandoned osyster beds is the last post of the H.M.S. Beagle; Charles Darwin's expedition ship that took him around the world. The vessel spent its final years moored here, acting as a deterrent for smugglers.

Tip by

7.06 km

The Plough & Sail, Paglesham

Highlight • Pub

Just a few hundred yards away from the River Rouch you’ll find the Plough and Sail owned by the Oliver Family. Still run as a traditional pub with real log fires, fine ales, home cooked food and a very warm welcome. The Plough and Sail has history dating back over 300 years.

It is said that Paglesham was known to be the smuggling capital of the district where many locals were ship owners using the port to transport goods such as tea, gin and tobacco from Dunkirk, providing a healthy profit. The coast between Southend and Rochford was ideal smuggling country, with its creeks and rivulets turning to mud flats at low tide.

Over 30 oyster smacks were based in Paghesham and the Plough and Sail became a meeting place for the hardworking crews.

Today, The Plough and Sail still provides a meeting place for the local community and those visiting to enjoy the natural beauty of the Essex countryside.

Tip by

9.43 km

St Peter's Church, Paglesham

Highlight • Religious Site

Gorgeous 15th C Church, restored in 1883 by local man Zachary Pettitt who married the daughter of a local oyster merchant. Touching stained glass window dedicated to his lost children. Complete with mounting block to help you onto your horse after Sunday service.

Tip by

11.7 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.77 km

4.62 km

1.32 km

Surfaces

4.70 km

4.69 km

1.46 km

628 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Thursday 29 October

15°C

9°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Comments

December 15, 2024,Hike

I felt like walking this at a faster pace, also extending it, as i wasnt ready to finish at 7 miles, really enjoyed it

October 9, 2022,Pagleshams and Seawall Loop (well nearly)

Intended loop but forgot to record a section! Look for the footpath sign just past the church - leads you across fields to East Hall Road which in turn takes you onto the route I did record, as it passes through Paglesham East End on its way to the seawall. The route then follows the seawall as it loops out …