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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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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: 460

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Oak Tree Meadow

    Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LE

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Maldon

    The site boasts one of the largest and best equipped children's play sites in the Maldon District. The play equipment has been designed so that it is exciting and challenging for children of all ages.

  2. Hang Up Vintage

    Address

    27 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AG

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    High end stockist of quality vintage men's clothing, specialising in 1930s to 1950s Military and workwear, as well as Levi jeans and other quality pre-1980s mens fashion and clothing. The company has an extensive onliine offering as well as offering…

  3. Just the Gift

    Address

    135 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Amy@justthegift.uk

    Maldon

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

  4. Maldon Accessory Centre

    Address

    40 White Horse Lane, Maldon, CM9 5QP

    Telephone

    01621 859444

    accessories@sky.com

    Maldon

    As an independent business we can offer you expert knowledge and advice. Whether you need a set of brake pads, a new battery, some seat covers or mats to brighten up your car or even a set of furry dice we can help! Our massive web store contains…

  5. Forrester Park Golf Club

    Address

    Beckingham Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8EA

    Telephone

    01621 891406

    info@forrester-park.co.uk

    Great Totham

    Parkland course and practice ground.

  6. Flowers By Sarah Ann

    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.

  7. Holy Trinity Church

    Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    North Fambridge

    This 200 year old church is the only place of worship in North Fambridge.

  8. Jubilee Woods

    Address

    off Devonshire Road, Southminster, CM0 7AW

    Telephone

    01621 773868

    Southminster

    This site was created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It is developing into a mixed deciduous woodland, with a network of paths which are interspersed with beautifully carved wooden sculptures of various…

  9. Beeleigh Falls

    Address

    Beeleigh Falls, Maldon Road, Beeleigh, Essex, CM9 6QA

    essex@waterways.org.uk

    Beeleigh

    Beeleigh Falls is home to a series of water falls, locks and weirs on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

  10. St Giles Leper Hospital Remains

    Address

    Spital Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EA

    Telephone

    01621 857373

    administration@maldontowncouncil.gov.uk

    Maldon

    Remains of an ancient Leper Hospital said to have been founded in 1164 by Henry II.

  11. St George's Field & Playground

    Address

    St George’s Close, Heybridge Basin, Essex, CM9 4RZ

    Heybridge Basin

    Lying alongside the sea wall and to the north of the Heybridge Basin's built-up area is the only open space contained within the village and available for public use. There's a popular, well-equipped play area for younger children.

  12. Datum Attitude Brewing Co

    Address

    Tollesbury Road, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8UA

    Telephone

    07498 218283

    info@datumattitude.co.uk

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    Our two passions are craft beer and aviation. In late 2021 we created Datum Attitude Brewing Co, brewing the beers that we love inspired by our passion for aviation.

    Sam, our brewer and founder, is ex Royal Air Force and has a real passion for all…

  13. St Nicholas's, Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    Address

    Church Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, CM9 8TS

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    St Nicholas Church is Grade I listed. Its churchyard extension, a little way up the road, has three Commonwealth War Graves.

  14. Tollesbury & Old Hall Marshes - Self-Guided Walk No. 4.4 / 4.5

    Address

    Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8QU

    Tollesbury

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 6.4 or 10.2 miles. A fascinating walk around Tollesbury and the surrounding marshes. This walk has plenty of stunning views, historic sites and bird-watching opportunities! Tollesbury nowadays is a renowned sailing…

  15. Maldon Methodist Church

    Address

    135A High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 853423

    mwbarrya@mweb.co.za

    Maldon

    Maldon Methodist Church has a varied programme of worship and activities. The main Sunday service is at 10:30 which features both traditional and modern hymns, with occasional livelier services aimed at young families. There are regular coffee…

  16. 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).

  17. Creeksea Place House and Gardens

    Address

    Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 784535

    info@creekseaplace.co.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Creeksea Place is a 16th century fairytale Tudor Mansion set in beautiful gardens. The house with its captivating façade and tranquil surroundings is steeped in history.

  18. RHS Garden Hyde Hall

    Address

    Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET

    Telephone

    01245 402019

    hydehall@rhs.org.uk

    Chelmsford

    Set in the heart of rural Essex, and enjoying stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, RHS Hyde Hall is one of the finest gardens in the east of England and is a haven of peace and tranquillity.

  19. Purleigh & Stow Maries Aerodrome Walk

    Address

    Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QH

    Purleigh

    This walk explores the countryside around the hilltop village of Purleigh and provides an opportunity to visit a working vineyard and an historic World War I aerodrome near Stow Maries

  20. St Peter's Way

    Address

    Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PW

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The St Peter’s Way is a 45 mile walk meandering through the countryside of Essex, from Chipping Ongar to the ancient chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell on Sea.

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