Lapwings at Blue House Farm, North Fambridge

Book Tickets Online

About

It is a working farm, mainly coastal grazing marsh with an area in arable production. Most of the farm was originally saltmarsh until sea walls were constructed to capture land from the sea. It was then used as grazing pasture, this practice continuing today. Some of the higher, drier fields are used for crops and about 90 acres are in cereal production.

The farm is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as part of the River Crouch Marshes, notified for its wetland bird species and rare water beetles. It is within the Essex Coast Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) which encourages land owners to retain and recreate coastal pastures and to increase areas of conservation wetlands.

The flat fields between the farmhouse and the sea wall are used in winter as a feeding ground by brent goose. Often more than 2,000 geese are seen, together with large numbers of wigeon grazing on the short turf.

Throughout the year hares are abundant and are most easily seen on these fields where cover is scarce. Skylarks also thrive, and are often heard singing high overhead in spring and summer.

The fleets provide deep water which is important for diving birds including tufted duck and little grebe. Our smallest duck, the teal, and our largest, the shelduck, are both commonly seen. At high tide sea birds move on to the fleets from the mudflats beyond the sea wall.

The creeks and ditches within the traditional grazing marsh are important habitats for rare water beetles and other water insects like the hairy dragonfly and scarce emerald damselfly. Those with thick vegetation support water voles and may, in time, again give shelter to otters, known to have lived here at least until 1963.

The marshy fields attract wading birds such as redshank, curlew and snipe which feed on creatures within the boggy ground. The saltmarsh and intertidal mud beyond the seawall provide abundant food for wading birds like these and for oystercatchers and black-tailed godwit.

Like most coastal grazing marsh the land was extensively drained for agriculture. The Trust is putting in sluices to raise and control water levels, vital for the wildlife. The level of grazing is also critical, so we are working towards a balance between good livestock farming and good conservation.

Map & Directions

Blue House Farm Nature Reserve

Type:Nature Reserve

Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

Tel: 01621 862960

What's Nearby

  1. Blue House Farm was bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 1998 with support from the…

    0.1 miles away
  2. Facilities include a car park, football pitch, children's play site, and basketball net.…

    0.47 miles away
  3. This 200 year old church is the only place of worship in North Fambridge.

    0.57 miles away
  1. Fambridge Yacht Haven at North Fambridge is a peaceful retreat for families, rallies and…

    0.82 miles away
  2. Woodstock Farm is a working farm that also offers farm experience days, a petting farm…

    1.78 miles away
  3. Small wooded area with a pond in St Stephens Road. Picnic table and access for walking.…

    1.84 miles away
  4. A small church situated on the edge of the village of Cold Norton.

    1.89 miles away
  5. This 5.5 acre reserve consists of the former Stow Maries Halt on the disused Maldon to…

    2.1 miles away
  6. The parish church of St Mary and St Margaret is Grade II* Listed. The church chancel was…

    2.2 miles away
  7. Well equipped and maintained site in a pleasant setting with views to the north west…

    2.37 miles away
  8. Martin's Lane Vineyard specializes in the production of only the finest quality and…

    2.39 miles away
  9. A large, well equipped site in a lovely setting on the edge of the village. Car park,…

    2.49 miles away
  10. Relax in the beautiful surroundingd of Clayhill Vineyard. Take in the stunning views of…

    2.56 miles away
  11. This is a large well equipped rec ground with good access from the surrounding area. Car…

    2.64 miles away
  12. Althorne's unusual war memorial is in the form of a traditional, decorative lychgate,…

    3.14 miles away
  13. Crouch Ridge Vineyard overlooks the River Crouch. We produce and sell award winning…

    3.21 miles away
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    Heybridge

    The Chigborough Maze is located next to the campsite and is available for guests to use. It can be hired exclusively for events between October and May.

  2. Address

    End of Main Road, St Lawrence, CM0 7NA

    St Lawrence

    St Lawrence Bay, also known as Stone, is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the Maldon District, and the broad sweep of shingle and sand is worth the effort to get to. If you travel by car you will need to park at Jubilee Field car park as you…

  3. Address

    Garden Fields, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Telephone

    01621 868352

    Steeple

    This site consists of a large area of grass surrounded by hedges. Football pitch, unfenced children's play site and basketball net

  4. Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch station, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.2 miles. This attractive linear pub walk takes you from the charming riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch in a steady climb across the final outlier of the rolling farmland of central Essex, before reaching…

  5. Address

    31 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 929314

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    The Rio Cinema is independently owned and was built in 1931, offering 2 screens showing current films at historically low prices! The Rio is a must for residents, visitors and cinema enthusiasts alike.

  6. Address

    West Chase, Maldon, CM9 6HN

    Maldon

    This Grade II Listed private home (not open to the public) was built in 1880 as a mansion for John Granger Sadd of the famous Maldon Sadd family. His daughter, suffragette and women's rights activist Myra Sadd Brown lived there and is commemorated…

  7. Address

    99 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HR

    Telephone

    01621 778537

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Offering the opportunity to play bowls in Burnham-on-Crouch, Burnham Hillside Bowls Club welcomes applications from new members to join.

  8. Address

    Common Lane, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6NF

    Woodham Walter

    This site is part of a large network of nature reserves that make up the Danbury Ridge Complex. Woodham Walter Common is mainly secondary woodland with a few open areas where heather grows.

  9. Address

    The Street, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6SA

    Woodham Walter

    This walk starts and finishes in the ancient and attractive village of Woodham Walter. The views across rural Essex are lovely. The terrain is varied, with arable fields, horse paddocks, a nature reserve and woodland.

  10. Address

    Fish Street, Goldhanger, Maldon, CM9 8AU

    Telephone

    01621 860265

    Goldhanger

    Surrounded by mature trees, this attractive site has access to the adjacent sea wall footpath and good views over the Blackwater estuary. Childrens play site, football pitch and benches.

  11. Address

    North Fambridge Station, Station Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6NP

    North Fambridge

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 10.2 miles. This is a long and challenging, linear walk along the scenic River Crouch, using the train service to return to the start. The views of the river and landscape are breathtaking and Butts Cliff is an…

  12. Address

    Stow Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6RR

    Telephone

    01621 828631

    Cold Norton

    The Kings & Jubilee courses offer a great variety and challenge. Constructed to USGA specifications to provide an unrivalled quality of playing surface year round.

  13. Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch Library, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. This largely mud-free stroll follows an easy circuit of the riverside yachting centre giving visitors the opportunity to explore some lesser-visited parts of the town.

  14. Address

    Maldon Road, Langford, CM9 4SS

    Langford

    St Giles' is a unique Grade II* Listed parish church dating from the late 11th century, with an unusual apse at the western end.

  15. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    This 100 year old Edwardian park encompasses an ornamental lake, a large water Splash Park, beach huts for hire, sandpits, a galleon play ship & aerial zip-wire & several picnic areas.

  16. Address

    9-10 Mildmay House, Foundry Lane, Burnham, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    01621 786688

    Burnham

    Beauty salon offering a range of treatments including nail art, eyebrow and lash tints, anti-wrinkle injections and fillers, needle-free Collagen Lift for face and body, microdermabrasion and facials.

  17. Address

    Althorne, Essex, CM9 6DG

    Althorne

    A pleasant 5.02 mile circular walk around the village of Althorne. The walk includes a short stretch along the River Crouch before turning inland through the fields and over the railway line before arriving in Althorne.

  18. Address

    Cherry Blossom Lane, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6JQ

    Telephone

    01621 829566

    Cold Norton

    Well equipped and maintained site in a pleasant setting with views to the north west towards the Blackwater estuary. Village hall, car park, football pitch, basketball court, skateboard ramps, childrens play site, wildflower meadow & copse.

  19. Address

    Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HG

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    An area of grassland and trees which slopes gently down to saltmarsh at the edge of the River Blackwater. At the top of the site near the road is a tarmac path and a number of benches.

  20. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension, which stretches out into the water (or the mud) and leads to a seating area at the end. There you can also see at close hand the statue of famous Saxon…

Related

North Fambridge Village SignNorth Fambridge, MaldonNorth Fambridge is a village and civil parish on the Dengie peninsula in the English county of Essex. Set on the banks of the River Crouch, the village is close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Blue House Farm, a nature reserve owned by the Essex Wildlife Trust. It has a busy, thrivining…

Aerial view of Fambridge Yacht HavenAlthorne to North Fambridge Walk, MaldonA picturesque 5.65 mile linear walk along the coast between the villages of Althorne and North Fambridge; this allows you to get a train from North Fambridge station at the end of the walk to return to the start.

Aerial view of Fambridge Yacht HavenFambridge Yacht Haven, MaldonFambridge Yacht Haven at North Fambridge is a peaceful retreat for families, rallies and solo-travellers. From fine riverside walks to country pubs and plenty of children's attractions, there's so much to discover! With a direct train line to London, you can even leave your boat at Fambridge for a…