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:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 321 to 340.

  1. 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

  2. Address

    Elizabeth Way, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4TG

    Telephone

    01621 852471

    Heybridge

    A small children's play area accessible from Elizabeth Way and the Elms Farm development.

  3. Address

    The Street, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4NB

    Telephone

    01621 857004

    Heybridge

    A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century to its present condition. Seating for 200 including choir, with wheel chair access and hearing aid loop system.

  4. Address

    Opposite 17 North Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TF

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    In the middle of the road junction in Tolleshunt D'Arcy stands the village maypole, one of the few remaining original maypoles to be found. The bottom has been protected by a wooden cage.

  5. Address

    Colchester Road, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4AL

    Telephone

    01621 852471

    Heybridge

    Located near to the centre of Heybridge, this site has good access from the surrounding area. Large car park, modern hall, enclosed children's play site and football pitch.Also know locally as the 'Planny' after Plantation Hall.

  6. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LR

    North Fambridge

    West Wick Yacht Club organizes both motor and sailing events including club racing, cruising, and social. Members receive a wide range of benefits including local chandler’s discounts, free racing, subsidised events and much more. To find out about…

  7. Address

    Paper Kisses, 70d High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 858095

    Maldon

    Card Fair Ltd

  8. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    North Fambridge

    Blue House Farm was bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 1998 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and many other donors.

  9. Address

    Church Chase, Great Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EW

    Telephone

    01621 819557

    Great Braxted

    The medieval church features a Nave and Chancel from the 12th century and is situated within the 2,000-acre Braxted Park estate. The churchyard is home to the Commonwealth War Grave of Brigadier General Hubert John Du Cane.

  10. Address

    Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

    Telephone

    01621 854056

    Maldon

    Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms; originally one for women and one for men, but now everyone worships together. The Georgian benches and tiered elders’ benches remain.

  11. Address

    Ferry Road, Creeksea, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PQ

    Telephone

    01621 782282

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Superb 18 hole riverside course with stunning views over the River Crouch.

  12. Address

    Post Office Road, Woodham Mortimer, Maldon, CM9 6SY

    Woodham Mortimer

    A small, attractive site surrounded by mature hedgerows. Car park, small hall, football pitch and swings.

  13. Address

    Springfield Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8UA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    This park is comprised of mown grassland with a large number of mature trees of different species and a play park.

  14. Address

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

    Telephone

    07487547122

    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).

  15. 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.

  16. Address

    Seawall, 900m south-east of Holliwell Farm, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8NG

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    An unusual piece of wartime history can be found on the seawall heading out of Burnham-on-Crouch towards Bradwell-on-Sea. Around 4 miles from Burnham you will come to a unique hexagonal, two-storey control/observation tower and an accompanying…

  17. Address

    Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7US

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The Dengie National Nature Reserve is a large and remote area of tidal mudflat and saltmarsh between the Blackwater and Crouch Estuaries near Bradwell-on-Sea.

  18. Address

    52 Prince of Wales Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8PX

    Telephone

    01621 893085

    Great Totham

    Totham Barn Chapel Evangelical Free Church is a grade II listed building. It has a small but active fellowship and regular meetings.

  19. Address

    160 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    07736 012091

    Burnham

    Unforgettables offers a range of balloons, cards and gifts plus balloon art including arches, columns and bouquets for those very special occasions

  20. Address

    44-48 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5RU

    Telephone

    01621 502585

    Maldon

    QD Stores, which stands for Quality Discounts, is an independently owned discount retailer offering a great selection of goods at value prices. Stock is constantly changing in store, but you will find home and garden products, kitchenware, motoring…

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