It is located 21 km (13 mi) east-southeast from the county town and city of Chelmsford.

It is approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) north-west from the centre of Bridgemarsh Island in the River Crouch.

Transport in Althorne includes a train station run by Abellio Greater Anglia and a bus service that stops nearby, the 331/32 to Chelmsford.

[3] The name Althorne has an unusual meaning in Old English, translating as '(place at) the burnt thorn-tree'.

The Marina is approximately one to two miles from the village and close to Althorne Railway Station.