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: 459

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  1. Address

    Essex Marina, Wallsea Island, SS4 2HF

    Telephone

    07748 653900

    Wallsea Island

    Discovery Charters offers fishing and seal watching wildlife trips which leave from Essex Marina on Wallasea Island, from Burnham-on-Crouch and from Fambridge Yacht Harbour.

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  3. Address

    99 Wood Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4AS

    Telephone

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  4. Address

    Station Road, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EW

    Telephone

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    One of the largest and best equipped parish fields in the Maldon District, this open, flat site is bordered to the south by a large flooded former gravel pit.

  5. Address

    Wick Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8LU

    Telephone

    01621 782128

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Adjoining the River Crouch, the farm offers a permissive access trail with information boards featuring details of ancient crop marks, salt extraction and wildlife. The circular route takes you through the farm returning via the sea wall.

  6. Address

    The Street, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7RH

    Steeple

    The Grade II Listed parish church was built in 1884 and has a timber framed steeple, shingled spire and a 15th century font. The church contains two white marble War Memorial tablets.

  7. Address

    60 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    01621 785300

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    West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6YH

    Telephone

    0300 303 1555

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    Telephone

    07718135276

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  10. Address

    Howe Green Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PZ

    Telephone

    07449895053

    Purleigh

    Over the last 15 years, Maldon and District Air Rifle Club has become the premier air gun shooting club in the South East of England.

    Members have access to the site 365 days a year, from dawn until dusk. With only an annual membership to pay,…

  11. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

    Telephone

    01621 856503

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    For well over a thousand years Hythe Quay has been the home to Maldon's maritime community and the gateway to Maldon for vessels arriving from the sea. From the award winning Promenade Park to the pubs, restaurants and shops of Maldon High Street,…

  12. Address

    Woodside, Mundon, Maldon, CM9 6PD

    Telephone

    01621 850826

    Mundon

    One of the last areas of surviving ancient woodland in the Dengie peninsular. The dominant tree species are oak and ash. Although there is something of interest to see all year round, the best time to visit is early morning in the spring.

  13. Address

    Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ

    Telephone

    01621 788162

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    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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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…

  16. Address

    Muslim Hall, Church St, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

    Telephone

    +447904659177

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  17. Address

    Fambridge Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6NB

    Telephone

    01621 828244

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    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.

  18. 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,…

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    Telephone

    07311625824

    Maldon Fitsteps incorporates Country Walks for the Over 50s, is an accredited walking for health scheme coordinated and led by volunteers in the local community. The scheme is supported by a partnership including the Ramblers Association and other…

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    Woodrolfe Road Car Park, Tollesbury, CM9 8SE

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    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 3.4 miles. This spectacular walk explores the historic village of Tollesbury with its bustling marina, historic lightvessel and interesting centre. Passing wildlife-rich saltmarshes, traditional sail lofts, an…

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