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.

Map & Directions

Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

Type:Nature Reserve

Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

Tel: 01621 862960

Opening Times

* Accessible at all times.

What's Nearby

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

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

    0.82 miles away
  3. Lying alongside the sea wall and to the north of the Heybridge Basin's built-up area is…

    0.86 miles away
  1. The little church building behind the bus shelter in Heybridge Basin began life during…

    0.92 miles away
  2. Now moored permanently in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat…

    1.12 miles away
  3. Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the…

    1.14 miles away
  4. This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county…

    1.16 miles away
  5. This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county…

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

    1.16 miles away
  7. Located near to the centre of Heybridge, this site has good access from the surrounding…

    1.2 miles away
  8. Heybridge War Memorial is a Grade II Listed memorial made from creamy Portland limestone…

    1.23 miles away
  9. Northey is an island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, connected to the mainland by a…

    1.43 miles away
  10. Surrounded by mature trees, this attractive site has access to the adjacent sea wall…

    1.5 miles away
  11. A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century…

    1.51 miles away
  12. One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension,…

    1.54 miles away
  13. 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: 583

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  1. Address

    The Martial Arts Centre, 4a Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01277 262 800

    Maldon

    Kazen Kai Karate at The Martial Arts Centre in Maldon offers a wide range of classes for adults and children, focusing on traditional Karate along with kick-boxing, Taekwondo and self-defence. 

  2. Address

    Blue House Farm Nature Reserve car park, Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

    North Fambridge

    3.1 miles. This walk has a bit of everything – the river Crouch, boats galore, an historic pub and farmland. All within the confines of the village of North Fambridge. Enjoy a walk along the seawall, with houseboats, barges and commercial river…

  3. Address

    Goldhanger Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RA

    Telephone

    01621 874745

    Maldon

    Millbeach Marine Club

  4. Address

    St Peter's Hospital, Spital Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EG

    Maldon

    Today, St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road is a valuable NHS centre, but the grand buildings have an interesting history. Built in 1872 to replace the smaller workhouse on Market Hill, the new Union Workhouse could hold up to 450 inmates and had its…

  5. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    Maldon Bowling Club is a friendly and progressive club situated near The Promenade in the Blackwater town of Maldon in Essex. We have a playing membership of approximately 70 with approximately 20 social & honorary members. Bowling abilities range…

  6. Address

    Unit D Wenlock Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD

    Telephone

    0780 3957620

    Maldon

    Men's hairdresser and barber offering a full range of hair cutting and treatments.

  7. Address

    99 Wood Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4AS

    Telephone

    01621 857592

    Heybridge

    The Flower Patch is an established florist on the High Street in Maldon.

  8. Address

    Bell Meadow, The Street, Woodham Walter, CM9 6RF

    Woodham Walter

    2.7 miles. This undulating walk explores the pretty village of Woodham Walter and its nearby woodland, known as The Wilderness, plus a visit to the scenic Hoe Mill Lock with its canal boats and wildlife.

  9. Address

    48 The Street, Heybridge, CM9 4NB

    Heybridge

    Popular off-licence and convenience store with a wide range of products, including vegan and vegetarian, fair trade, whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen foods and household essentials. The alcohol selection includes an…

  10. Address

    Fullbridge, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4NX

    Telephone

    07591 023715

    Heybridge

    Part of the site is accessible via a boardwalk from the footpath leading to the bridge over the canal at the far end of Tesco car park. Visitors should not leave this boardwalk as the site contains areas of deep water.

  11. Address

    High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

    Burnham-on-Crouch

  12. 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.

  13. Address

    5 High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AA

    Telephone

    01621 773198

    Southminster

    Convenience store selling groceries, confectionery, cards, wines and spirits, newspapers and more.

  14. Address

    30 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PJ

    Telephone

    01621 927200

    Maldon

    Independent boutique selling women's fashion, lifestyle items and accessories, along with gifts, childrenswear and menswear.

  15. Address

    122 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    01621 787447

    Burnham

    Unisex hairdressing offering a full range of cutting, perms and colouring.

  16. Address

    Scarr Cottage, Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SB

    Telephone

    01621 828903

    Stow Maries

    Martin's Lane Vineyard specializes in the production of only the finest quality and ripest grapes to produce the very best in English wines.

  17. Address

    76 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    0300 323 0403

    Maldon

    The RSPCA's Maldon charity shop has a good selection of adults and children's clothing, homeware, gifts, bric-a-brac and more. Donations and new volunteers are very welcome.

  18. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5UR

    Telephone

    01621 851898

    Maldon

    At Blackwater Leisure Centre there is a huge range of activities on offer, including swimming, a gym, and fitness and pool classes, including a well-equipped spinning /indoor cycling studio with a variety of spin classes.

  19. Address

    63K High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    07495 412593

    Maldon

    Men's hair salon offering a full range of barber and gentleman's hairdressing services.

  20. Address

    5 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    01621 853151

    Maldon

    Master butchers in Maldon High St since 1928, Ansell & Sons is a meat and game specialist. Its meat, game and poultry produce ranges are primarily locally sourced from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk farms, as well as direct from Smithfield Market…

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