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Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

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About

This diverse site of 46 acres is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. It consists of a series of flooded gravel pits giving a wide range of different habitats including open water, small ponds, marshy areas, grazed grassland and Blackthorn/Hawthorn scrub.
Strolling through the reserve, there are a number of interesting flowers to look out for, including Common Spotted and Bee Orchids, Heath Speedwell, Common Storks Bill and Wild Strawberry. The reserve has eleven varieties of willow, including Almond and Purple Willow and several recently pollarded Cricket Bat Willows.

Over 120 species of bird have been recorded, and more than 40 of these have bred at some time, including great crested and little grebes, kingfisher and water rail. Ruddy duck can be numerous when the water level is high. Sedge and reed warblers can be seen or heard in spring and summer, together with common whitethroat, reed bunting and willow warbler.

Recently signs of Otters have been found on the reserve and it is also home to a number of Grass Snakes.

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Map & Directions

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View Map and What's Nearby

Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

Type:Nature Reserve

Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

Website

Tel: 01621 862960

Opening Times

* Accessible at all times.

What's Nearby

  1. Chigborough Lakes

    An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a…

    0 miles away
  2. Drapers Farm

    A large sports ground with associated sports pavilion and changing rooms. It is the home…

    0.82 miles away
  3. St George's Field & Playground

    Lying alongside the sea wall and to the north of the Heybridge Basin's built-up area is…

    0.86 miles away
  1. St George's Church

    The little church building behind the bus shelter in Heybridge Basin began life during…

    0.92 miles away
  2. Sir William Arnold Lifeboat Experience

    Now moored permanently in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat…

    1.12 miles away
  3. Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Sea Lock

    Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the…

    1.14 miles away
  4. Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation

    This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county…

    1.16 miles away
  5. Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Canal

    This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county…

    1.16 miles away
  6. All Saints' Church, Little Totham

    This charming Grade I Listed church has a 12th century nave and 14th century chancel.…

    1.16 miles away
  7. King George V Playing Field, Heybridge

    Located near to the centre of Heybridge, this site has good access from the surrounding…

    1.2 miles away
  8. Heybridge War Memorial & Cemetery

    Heybridge War Memorial is a Grade II Listed memorial made from creamy Portland limestone…

    1.23 miles away
  9. Northey Island

    Northey is an island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, connected to the mainland by a…

    1.43 miles away
  10. Goldhanger Parish Field

    Surrounded by mature trees, this attractive site has access to the adjacent sea wall…

    1.5 miles away
  11. St Andrew's Church

    A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century…

    1.51 miles away
  12. Statue of Byrhtnoth

    One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension,…

    1.54 miles away
  13. Heybridge Creek

    Heybridge Creek is a channel that forms part of the flood relief scheme for the Heybridge…

    1.55 miles away
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Number of results:

Number of results: 583

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  1. Danielle Styles

    Address

    134 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BX

    daniellestylesboutique@outlook.com

    Maldon

    Style your wardrobe with the latest women's fashion trends, plus nightwear, accessories and shoes at this boutique shop.

  2. Althorne War Memorial

    Address

    Junction of Main Road and Station Road, Althorne, CM3 6DB

    Althorne

    Althorne's unusual war memorial is in the form of a traditional, decorative lychgate, framed in oak, with a pitched roof covered with clay tiles. It was designed by local artist Walter Savage Cooper and built after World War 1. A metal plaque…

  3. Wickham Bishops Sports Field

    Address

    Great Totham Road, Wickham Bishops, Witham, CM8 3NP

    Telephone

    01621 893025

    contact@beaconhillfc.co.uk

    Wickham Bishops

    Large car park, changing rooms, pavilion, cricket pitch, two football pitches, four tennis courts, youth shelter, basketball net, public open space and nature area.

  4. Maldon Prom BMX Track

    Address

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

    Maldon

    Situated in Maldon's Promenade Park, the Maldon Prom BMX Track offers an off-road course with jumps, corners and areas to perform tricks and stunts for riders of all ages and abilities.

    The BMX Track has been designed to offer a safe space for…

  5. Tillingham Congregational Church

    Address

    South Street, Tillingham, Essex, CM0 7TH

    Telephone

    01621 779160

    philip_grove@msn.com

    Tillingham

    This church belongs to the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches. It is the only remaining Congregational Church in the Dengie Hundred and as such draws a congregation from a wider area .

  6. Burnham Quay

    Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 784785

    TIC@maldon.gov.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Burnham's picturesque quayside is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

  7. Woof & Co

    Address

    119 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 927240

    Hello@woofandcomaldon.co.uk

    Maldon

    We opened Woof & Co Maldon opened in beautiful town of Maldon in July 2020. Our passion and knowledge for dog products started when we opened W&C sister company Tower Pet & Animal Feeds all the way back in 2005! Learning lots of product knowledge…

  8. Maldon Promenade Zoo

    Address

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

    Telephone

    07487547122

    jcpartypets@gmail.com

    Maldon

    The Maldon Promenade Zoo is home to over 70 species of animals when we are open (please note that some of our larger animals go home at the end of each day to our larger private farm located on the Dengie Peninsula).

  9. Beeleigh Steam Mill

    Address

    Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

    Telephone

    0345 603 7624

    Maldon

    By appointment. Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five…

  10. Burnham Cycling Club

    Address

    Burnham, CM0 8SY

    Telephone

    07821 176161

    info@burnhamcycling.club

    Burnham

    Burnham Cycling Club is a new, friendly club whose members enjoy all kinds of cycling, including road riding, mountain biking MTB, cyclocross, TT and racing. New members are welcome to join in friendly, non-competitive rides for all.

  11. Whole Health Foods

    Address

    4 Edwards Walk, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    07964 982299

    info@wholehealthfoods.co.uk

    Maldon

    A local Independent health food store offering supplements, superfoods, health and nutrition advice and delicious fresh juices and smoothies.

  12. The Book Nook

    Address

    19 West Street, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8RJ

    book.nook.tollesbury@gmail.com

    Tollesbury

    An independent book shop in Tollesbury, built by the community for the community and providing new and used books.

    The shop, has a small tearoom, books and games for customers, free Wi-Fi, and remote working space. Local talks, author events, and…

  13. St Lawrence Heritage Church

    Address

    Saint Lawrence Hill, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7LN

    Telephone

    01621 776203

    Steeple

    This active rural parish church, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Blackwater Estuary provides exhibitions and community activities. Light refreshments available.

  14. Reed Hair

    Address

    24A High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PJ

    Telephone

    01621 842043

    reception@reedhair.com

    Maldon

    Reed Hair offers a full range of women's hairdressing services including Afro hair treatments, hair extensions, trichotherapy and wigs. Sisters Jane and Vicki had the initial vision to bring a high-end London salon to Maldon, and after lots of…

  15. G Leavett Family Butchers

    Address

    85 East Street,, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SA

    Telephone

    01621 869217

    Tollesbury

    Eblex Quality Standard Beef and Lamb Butcher

  16. Blackwater Triathlon Club

    Address

    Maldon

    blackwatertri@hotmail.com

    The Blackwater Triathlon club has been established for over 25 years, we are a small friendly club based in Maldon, Essex.

    We have an established membership covering all age groups within Triathlon ranging from the Junior club tri starts all the…

  17. Harlow (Blackwater) Sailing Club

    Address

    Seaview Parade, End of North Drive, Maylandsea, Essex, CM3 6EL

    Telephone

    01621 740300

    secretary@harlow-blackwater-sc.co.uk

    Maylandsea

    Situated on Lawling Creek off the Blackwater Estuary the HBSC caters for dinghy and cruiser owners, racers and pleasure sailors, beginners and experts.

  18. W H Smith Ltd

    Address

    70a High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 855520

    Maldon

    W H Smith Ltd provides for all your stationery, art and school resources needs, along with newspapers and magazines, snacks, cards and a newly refurbished book department.

  19. Woodham Walter War Memorials & Commonwealth War Graves

    Address

    Woodham Walter, CM9 6RF

    Woodham Walter

    War memorials in the village of Woodham Walter include a Memorial Shelter, a Memorial Garden and a Memorial Clock on the parish church. The churchyard also contains two Commonwealth War Graves.

  20. Gardeners Farm Shop

    Address

    Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ

    Telephone

    01621 788162

    sue.gardenersfarm@btconnect.com

    Goldhanger

    Gardneners Farm stocks fresh free-range and rare breed meat reared on the farm, produce and food products including refill olive oils and vinegars, chutneys and sauces, cheese and eggs. Enjoy a hot pie or coffee and cake while you're there.

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Frangipani Stand Up PaddleboardingFrangipani SUP, MaldonFrangipani SUP is a friendly, family run Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board school based in Maldon, Essex. We operate in various locations in Essex including Maldon, Chelmsford and surrounding areas.

Exterior of The Farm Cafe by Black PigThe Farm Cafe by Black Pig Chigborough, MaldonBlack Pig Catering is coming to the streets of Essex and will be serving up proper British grub. We pride ourselves on great quality, authentic produce sourced directly from the best farms and fisherman.

Person walking Dalmatian dog on leadChigborough Walks, MaldonAn annual pass, £20 per person in 2022, gives permission to use the walking path around Chigborough Farm site, with proceeds going to Farleigh Hospice. Parking is not available, so pass holders must be able to walk to the site. Commercial dog walking not permitted. Passes can be booked from the…

A person making pottery.Chigborough Pottery Painting Studio, MaldonPottery Painting Studio available for single family bookings only. Please text 07702244440 if you would like to book.

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A piece of smoked salmon.Lambton and Jackson Smokehouse Chigborough, MaldonLambton and Jackson Smokehouse serving delicious hot and cold smoked salmon and cheeses. Please order by calling 01621 853710.

A sign pointing towards a lodge.The Fishery Lodge Chigborough, MaldonThe Fishery Lodge, surrounding area and campsite is available for hire for weddings and functions. The lodge features a kitchen, toilets, and seating area inside and out. Please email chigboroughfarm@gmail.com if you are interested in hiring the lodge.

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A line up of pedalos on the water.Rowing and Pedalo's at Chigborough, MaldonRowing and Pedalo hire for days out in the summer on the picturesque lake at Chigborough Fisheries. Life jackets must be worn at all times on board.

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