Skip To Main Content

You are here: Things to Do > Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

Book Tickets Online

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.

Visit the website for more information

Map & Directions

Open in Maps

View Map and What's Nearby

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
Previous Next
More

Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 381 to 400.

  1. Kate Lifestyle

    Address

    57 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 731110

    info@katelifestyle.co.uk

    Maldon

    Kate Lifestyle is a Maldon based beauty salon specialising in beauty, skincare, hair and nails. We offer a vast range of treatments including nail art, waxing, eyelash extensions and more. We provide top notch hair, beauty, nail art & gentlemen…

  2. Maldon Wick Nature Reserve - Walk it Local

    Address

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

    Maldon

    2.6 miles. This short Walk it Local route is an easy stroll starting close to Maldon town centre, but taking in the lovely Maldon Wick Nature Reserve and part of the disused railway line. Depending on the season you might see rare butterflies,…

  3. Tollesbury Cruising Club

    Address

    Tollesbury Marina, Woodrolfe Rd, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE

    Telephone

    01621 869561

    vice.commodore@tollesburycc.co.uk

    Tollesbury

    Situated in the heart of one of the friendliest marinas on the East Coast facilities at this club include a restaurant and bar, swimming pool and tennis courts.

  4. North Fambridge Seawall Stroll - Self-Guided Walk No. 7.1

    Address

    Blue House Farm Nature Reserve car park, Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

    North Fambridge

    3.1 miles. This walk has a bit of everything – the river Crouch, boats galore, an historic pub and farmland. All within the confines of the village of North Fambridge. Enjoy a walk along the seawall, with houseboats, barges and commercial river…

  5. Chigborough Lakes

    Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RD

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    admin@essexwt.org.uk

    Maldon

    An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a variety of habitats including Willow Carr, open water, small ponds and marshy areas, rough grassland, and willow and hawthorn scrub.

  6. St Andrew's Church, Althorne

    Address

    Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BY

    lucientaylor@yahoo.co.uk

    Althorne

    St Andrew's is a Grade II listed building with a tower dating back to around 1500, although it is in need of restoration and funds are being raised. It has a modern church hall available for hire.

  7. Home of Myra Sadd Brown / Old Convent

    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…

  8. Maldon East and Heybridge Railway Station (Disused)

    Address

    Station House, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

    Maldon

    Maldon East and Heybridge railway station served the town of Maldon and nearby village of Heybridge between 1848 and 1964.

  9. The Viking Saga Boat Trips

    Address

    Landbreach Ltd, Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HT

    Telephone

    07766480793

    landbreach@outlook.com

    Maldon

    From May 2023. This traditional pleasure boat was built locally in 1947 and, following a complete restoration, is once again offering trips around the estuary. Moored at the ‘little blue jetty’, the Viking Saga is the best way to view both the Hythe…

  10. Tractor Shed

    Address

    London Heys Farm, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6LQ

    Telephone

    01621 740282

    Latchingdon

    A small community theatre and auditorium, home of the Latchingdon Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS) as well as other local events. Set in a real farmyard barn with tractors.

  11. A Tale of Three Villages - Walk it Local

    Address

    Wickham Bishops Village Hall, Snows Corner, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3JZ

    Wickham Bishops

    2.96 miles. This walk explores three pretty villages in the north of the district - Wickham Bishops, Little Braxted and Great Totham. Taking in tree-lined lanes and footpaths, this gently undulating walk is a great introduction to this part of the…

  12. Riverside and Historic Maldon - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.3

    Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5HN

    Maldon

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 1.6 miles. A circular self-guided walk starting and finishing at Maldon's Promenade Park, taking in traditional boatyards and maritime industry, historic buildings and the bustling high street. The walk is all on…

  13. The Warren Golf & Country Club

    Address

    The Warren Golf & Country Club, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RW

    Telephone

    01245 223258

    enquiries@warrengolfclub.co.uk

    Woodham Walter

    The Estate boasts superb golf courses, a welcoming clubhouse, beautiful barn style wedding venue, luxury lodge accommodation and Health Club.

  14. Royal Burnham Yacht Club

    Address

    The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AU

    Telephone

    01621 782044

    info@rbyc.org.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    This prestigious yacht club overlooks the River Crouch and is open all year 7 days a week. It has an active junior section, an affiliated rowing club and visiting yachtsmen are always welcome.

  15. Burnham Wick Farm

    Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 782128

    zimsmiths@yahoo.co.uk

    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.

  16. The West Field

    Address

    Vicarage Lane , Tillingham , Southminster, CM0 7TW

    Telephone

    01621 779584

    tillingham.pc@btinternet.com

    Tillingham

    Car park, public toilets, football pitch, cricket pitch, bowls club, sports pavilion, enclosed children's play site and youth shelter.

  17. Harlow (Blackwater) Sailing Club

    Address

    Seaview Parade, End of North Drive, Maylandsea, Essex, CM3 6EL

    Telephone

    01621 740300

    secretary@harlow-blackwater-sc.co.uk

    Maylandsea

    Situated on Lawling Creek off the Blackwater Estuary the HBSC caters for dinghy and cruiser owners, racers and pleasure sailors, beginners and experts.

  18. St George's Church

    Address

    Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RJ

    Telephone

    07950 636 660

    Heybridge Basin

    The little church building behind the bus shelter in Heybridge Basin began life during World War 1, as an Armstrong Hut, used as the Sergeants’ Mess hut on Goldhanger Airfield. This airfield was first used as a night landing ground by the Royal…

  19. Lets Go Bonkers

    Address

    Units 7 & 8, Station Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8RW

    Telephone

    01621 782874

    info@letsgobonkers.com

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Let’s Go Bonkers is East Essex’s most exciting and professionally designed premier indoor children’s soft play studio, featuring two uniquely designed multilevel play studios, which has something for everyone.

  20. Willow & Fox

    Address

    30 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PJ

    Telephone

    01621 927200

    allison@willowandfox.co.uk

    Maldon

    Independent boutique selling women's fashion, lifestyle items and accessories, along with gifts, childrenswear and menswear.

Related

Frangipani Stand Up PaddleboardingFrangipani SUP, MaldonFrangipani SUP is a friendly, family run Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board school based in Maldon, Essex. We operate in various locations in Essex including Maldon, Chelmsford and surrounding areas.

Exterior of The Farm Cafe by Black PigThe Farm Cafe by Black Pig Chigborough, MaldonBlack Pig Catering is coming to the streets of Essex and will be serving up proper British grub. We pride ourselves on great quality, authentic produce sourced directly from the best farms and fisherman.

Person walking Dalmatian dog on leadChigborough Walks, MaldonAn 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 walking not permitted. Passes can be booked from the…

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.

A pair of people performing yoga exercises.Chigborough Yoga Session, MaldonOne-to-one and family group yoga sessions available. Please book in advance by texting 07903827736.

A piece of smoked salmon.Lambton and Jackson Smokehouse Chigborough, MaldonLambton and Jackson Smokehouse serving delicious hot and cold smoked salmon and cheeses. Please order by calling 01621 853710.

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.

An aerial shot of a hedge maze.Chigborough Maze, MaldonThe 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.

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.

© Maldon District Council 2025. All Rights Reserved