Second World War pillbox and concrete barges used in D-Day Landings visible from the shell bank, picture by Marion Sidebottom

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About

At Bradwell-on-Sea, close to the ancient Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Walls, you can see the Cockle Spit or shell bank, a massive and ever-moving spit made from cockle and oyster shells. There is a small area of beach adjacent. Managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, the Cockle Spit sees a huge number of wading birds and is a great place to see murmurations.

From here you can see a row of old ferro-concrete barges that are now used to limit erosion of the wildlife-rich saltmarshes. These are a legacy of the Second World War when they were towed out to France to form part of the Mulberry Harbours that helped the D-Day Landings of the Allied Forces. By the seawall you can also see the remains of a wooden control tower, part of the 1930s bombing range that was once here.

Facilities

Booking & Payment Details

  • Free Entry

Parking

  • Free Parking - about quarter of a mile away

Map & Directions

Bradwell-on-sea Shell Bank Nature Reserve and Mulberry Harbour remains

Type:Nature Reserve

East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7PN

Opening Times

* At any time

What's Nearby

  1. This ancient Saxon chapel is the oldest church in England built by St Cedd in 654AD, it…

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  3. RAF Bradwell Bay is a former Royal Air Force station located on the Dengie Peninsular,…

    1.95 miles away
  1. Grade II Listed church dating from the 14th century, with the parish War Memorial inside…

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  2. Attractive site, surrounded by hedgerows and with a number of mature oak trees. Village…

    2.05 miles away
  3. Bradwell Marina, on the Blackwater Estuary is ideally situated for exploring the river,…

    2.5 miles away
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  5. This Grade II listed parish church has a beautiful setting in the village square in…

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  6. Car park, public toilets, football pitch, cricket pitch, bowls club, sports pavilion,…

    3.88 miles away
  7. This church belongs to the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches. It is the…

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  8. Walkers along the sea wall at Tollesbury will be fascinated by the large red ship moored…

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  9. One of Essex Wildlife Trust's best reserves. A large (600 acres) tract of ancient grazing…

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  10. This active rural parish church, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Blackwater Estuary…

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  11. Tollesbury Congregational Church has served the village since 1803.

    4.9 miles away
  12. St James, Dengie is a small parish church serving the rural villages of Asheldham and…

    4.92 miles away
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Number of results:

Number of results: 583

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Mark Farm, The Hall Farm, North Street, Tillingham, Essex, CM0 7SP

    Telephone

    01621 778844

    Tillingham

    Sarah Green's Organics is situated in Tillingham on the east Essex coast, 50 miles east of London.

  2. Address

    58 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 493694

    Maldon

    D'Lux Aesthetic Spa offers a wide range of cosmetic treatments from nails and waxing to permanent make-up and body contouring treatment.

  3. Address

    West Field car park, North Street, Tillingham, CM0 7TP

    Tillingham

    2.73 miles. This gentle walk lets you explore Tillingham, with its pretty village green lined with weatherboarded cottages, and the wide-open expanses of the surrounding Dengie farmland. There's a historic church to investigate, and two historic…

  4. Address

    1 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    020 8090 5048

    Maldon

    We have now opened our own unique gift shop on Maldon High Street, specialising in Star Wars as well as expanding our range to include iconic science fiction and fantasy from film, TV and gaming franchises. 

  5. Address

    135 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Maldon

    New Maldon gift ship with a wide range of fun and novelty gifts (including some saucy mugs - parents beware!)

  6. Address

    Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA

    Telephone

    01621 843183

    Langford

    Housed in a former water pumping station, the museum has a fascinating collection of power related exhibits, a tea room and picnic area, a miniature railway all set in attractive riverside grounds.

  7. Address

    Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SJ

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Stow Maries

    This 5.5 acre reserve consists of the former Stow Maries Halt on the disused Maldon to South Woodham Ferrers railway line, along with an adjoining four-acre meadow acquired later.

  8. Address

    1 Chandlers Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LF

    Telephone

    07801 364 135

    Maldon

    Marigold Charters offers sailing adventures on and around the river Blackwater. Their vessel Marigold is a Gravesend Bawley built upon the lines of the Lilliam in 1869.

  9. Address

    Hockley Meadows, Hockley Lane, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7PZ

    Telephone

    01621 776074

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    A new craft gin distillery in Bradwell-on-Sea is creating fine gins with a selection of the best botanicals, including juniper berries from Italy and angelica root, lemon, orange and rose petals. On The Wall Distillery is home to the N653 gin with…

  10. Address

    Goldhanger Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RA

    Telephone

    01621 874745

    Maldon

    Millbeach Marine Club

  11. Address

    48 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8BQ

    Telephone

    01621 782288

    Burnham

    Hair salon offering a full range of services for men, women and children, including colouring, foils, perms, and hair straightening. Run by Paul Chandler-Elkins who has styled celebrities including Sir Cliff Richard, Cparice and Justin Hayward.

  12. Address

    Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

    Telephone

    020 8168 5202

    Heybridge Basin

    Now moored permanently in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat is a 52ft Arun class lifeboat that was built in 1973 and served all her lifesaving career at St Peter Port in Guernsey. During her career, the lifeboat went on…

  13. Address

    The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AU

    Telephone

    01621 782044

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    This prestigious yacht club overlooks the River Crouch and is open all year 7 days a week. It has an active junior section, an affiliated rowing club and visiting yachtsmen are always welcome.

  14. Address

    Fambridge Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6NB

    Telephone

    01621 828244

    North Fambridge

    Facilities include a car park, football pitch, children's play site, and basketball net. Visitors should take care on leaving the site as visibility is restricted.

  15. Address

    Maldon Road junction with Braxted Park Road, Great Braxted, CO5 0QA

    Telephone

    01621 816464

    Great Braxted

    Family run farm shopping selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, mainly grown in the surrounding area, including a seasonal range of locally grown apples. You will also find preserves, local honey, fresh flowers, speciality cheeses, breads and…

  16. Address

    84 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 855566

    Maldon

    A small Independant lighting store but with a lot crammed in! A huge range of domestic lighting available, come and stare at the ceiling or browse through the catalogues - plus many hard to find bulbs and lots of shades in stock or made to order to…

  17. Address

    Creeksea Place Barns, Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 786503

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Our modern fully air conditioned gym and spa has beautiful views of the field and river and offers members on-site parking, free wi-fi, toilets, showers, changing rooms and lockable storage.

  18. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

  19. Address

    81 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 858515

    Maldon

    An established independent family-run business that opened its first shop in Maldon of spring of 2012  followed by a second store in Witham. Online shopping is also available. Specialising in women's fashion, classic clothing and accessories,…

  20. Address

    Maldon

    Telephone

    07729 372106

    Maldon

    Maldon & District Cycling Club (MAD CC) was founded in 1953 as Crouch CC. It is based in Maldon, Essex and caters for cyclists of all abilities, ages and cycling interests.
    Current membership stands at approximately 120 members, across a wide age…