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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: 459

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. Monastery of St John the Baptist

    Address

    The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8EZ

    Tolleshunt Knights

    The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist is an Orthodox monastic community composed of nuns and monks of various nationalities. The monastery was founded by Sophrony Sakharov, later canonised as Saint Sophrony. The calm…

  2. Wickham Bishops Sports Field

    Address

    Great Totham Road, Wickham Bishops, Witham, CM8 3NP

    Telephone

    01621 893025

    contact@beaconhillfc.co.uk

    Wickham Bishops

    Large car park, changing rooms, pavilion, cricket pitch, two football pitches, four tennis courts, youth shelter, basketball net, public open space and nature area.

  3. My Healthy Indian

    Address

    Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6EZ

    Telephone

    0754504124

    heena@myhealthyindian.com

    Latchingdon

    Learn to cook authentic yummy Indian food with Heena at My Healthy Indian! Heena hosts food events and cooking workshops teaching healthy and easy Indian curries in the charming village of Latchingdon, Essex.

  4. Mens Barbers Ltd

    Address

    40 White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QP

    Telephone

    01621 855113

    Maldon

    Mens (Hair)

  5. St Stephens Church

    Address

    St Stephen's Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    sandra.manley@btinternet.com

    Cold Norton

    A small church situated on the edge of the village of Cold Norton.

  6. Chigborough Maze

    Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    chigboroughfarm@gmail.com

    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.

  7. Millbeach Marine Club

    Address

    Goldhanger Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RA

    Telephone

    01621 874745

    Maldon

    Millbeach Marine Club

  8. Maldon Prom parkrun

    Address

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

    maldonprom@parkrun.com

    Maldon

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

  9. Datum Attitude Brewery Taproom

    Address

    Unit 8, Heybridge Industrial Estate, The Causeway, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4XL

    Telephone

    07498 218283

    info@datumattitude.co.uk

    Maldon

    Our Maldon Brewery Taproom & Shop

    Find us on the edge of Maldon in our brand new space!

    Visit us Thursday to Sunday and try our small batch craft beers as fresh as they can possibly get.

    We often have food trucks joining us, please…

  10. Quayside Wine

    Address

    167 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 770029

    quaysidewineco@gmail.com

    Burnham

    Quayside Wines is a local off-license offering a large selection of beers, wines and spirits, including unusual gins and liqueurs.

  11. Tollesbury Congregational Church

    Address

    East St, Tollesbury, Maldon, CM9 8QD

    Telephone

    01621 869230

    philip.grove@tollesburychurch.co.uk

    Tollesbury

    Tollesbury Congregational Church has served the village since 1803.

  12. The Assumption of our Lady, RC Church

    Address

    60A Victoria Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HF

    Telephone

    01621 852259

    maldon@brcdt.org

    Maldon

    The Assumption of Our Lady Roman Catholic Church in Maldon was opened in 1925, replacing a temporary place of worship that had been set up in and old converted Forge in Silver Street.

  13. Chigborough Walks

    Address

    2 Chigborough Road, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    chigboroughfarm@gmail.com

    An annual pass, £20 per person in 2022, gives permission to use the walking path around Chigborough Farm site, with proceeds going to Farleigh Hospice. Parking is not available, so pass holders must be able to walk to the site. Commercial dog…

  14. Tillingham Village & Fields - Walk it Local

    Address

    West Field car park, North Street, Tillingham, CM0 7TP

    Tillingham

    2.73 miles. This gentle walk lets you explore Tillingham, with its pretty village green lined with weatherboarded cottages, and the wide-open expanses of the surrounding Dengie farmland. There's a historic church to investigate, and two historic…

  15. Burnham Ferry

    Address

    Burnham Marina, Foundry Lane, Burnham, Essex, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    07704 060482

    Burnhamferry@hotmail.co.uk

    Burnham

    Burnham Ferry is the sole authorised ferry between Essex Marina, Wallasea Island and Burnham-on-Crouch. The Ferry runs 6 days a week from 1 April or Good Friday (whichever is the earlier) to the end of September. We are closed on Mondays, except for…

  16. Promenade Park

    Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    tourism@maldon.gov.uk

    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.

  17. Salcote Sailing Club

    Address

    Wharf Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4QY

    Telephone

    07514 431399

    john@saltcote-sailing-club.co.uk

    Heybridge

    A small club with simple facilities and low membership costs catering for a mix of small craft. Most sailing is informal but several organised events are held each year.

  18. Shut Heath Wood

    Address

    Great Totham, Essex, CM8 3ED

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    admin@essexwt.org.uk

    Great Totham

    This 50 acre reserve is just below the crest of the Great Totham Ridge and includes 23 acres of ancient woodland forming part of the Chantry Wood complex. A wonderful carpet of Bluebells can be enjoyed in the spring.

  19. S Thorogood Farm Shop

    Address

    New Moor Farm, Tillingham Road, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7DS

    Telephone

    07703 577523

    asparagus@newmoor.co.uk

    Southminster

    Thorogood's asparagus has a reputation for being some of the most delicious in the country, and each year there's a short season when you can buy the freshest possible asparagus straight from the farm.

  20. All Saints' Church, Little Totham

    Address

    Church Lane, Little Totham, CM9 8LU

    Telephone

    07908 776750

    office.blackwaterbenefice@gmail.com

    Little Totham

    This charming Grade I Listed church has a 12th century nave and 14th century chancel. There's a fine 17th century altar tomb monument and a 15th century font. In the churchyard are two Commonwealth War Graves.

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A person making pottery.Chigborough Pottery Painting Studio, MaldonPottery Painting Studio available for single family bookings only. Please text 07702244440 if you would like to book.

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A sign pointing towards a lodge.The Fishery Lodge Chigborough, MaldonThe Fishery Lodge, surrounding area and campsite is available for hire for weddings and functions. The lodge features a kitchen, toilets, and seating area inside and out. Please email chigboroughfarm@gmail.com if you are interested in hiring the lodge.

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A line up of pedalos on the water.Rowing and Pedalo's at Chigborough, MaldonRowing and Pedalo hire for days out in the summer on the picturesque lake at Chigborough Fisheries. Life jackets must be worn at all times on board.

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