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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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Map & Directions

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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 81 to 100.

  1. The Lovely Shop

    Address

    163 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 781067

    Burnham

    The Lovely Shop is sells handbags and purses, scarves, accessories and jewellery alongside other gift items and homeware.

  2. St Peter's Church, Great Totham

    Address

    Church Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NP

    Great Totham

    Arguably one of the most idilic settings in the district, this beautiful Grade II listed chuch sits a short walk from Great Totham, next to the site of Great Totham Hall. The grounds are intersected by several footpaths giving access to South Wood,…

  3. Maldon Prom junior parkrun

    Address

    Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    maldonpromjuniors@parkrun.com

    Maldon

    A weekly free 2k timed running event for juniors.

  4. Purleigh Community Shop

    Address

    Church Hill, Purleigh, CM3 6QH

    Telephone

    01621 829600

    purleighcommunityshop@gmail.com

    Purleigh

    Owned and run by local residents, Purleigh Community Shop offers convenience shopping, local produce and a social hub  in the heart of Purleigh. Produce includes fresh bread and cakes, locally produced meat, vegetables and fruit, wines,…

  5. Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail

    Address

    Southminster Railway Station, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EG

    Southminster

    A voyage of real ale discovery along the scenic Crouch Valley railway line from Wickford to Southminster in the heart of the Dengie Peninsula

  6. Grey Soft Furnishings Ltd

    Address

    173 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621929978

    helen@greysoftfurnishings.co.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Grey Soft Furnishings is based in Burnham on Crouch, Essex, and we produce bespoke, made to measure curtains, cushions, blinds and all manner of custom soft furnishings. We now have a shop where you are able to view a large range of fabric books,…

  7. Monkey Puzzle Indoor Soft Play Centre

    Address

    Madison Heights, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 850222

    info@madisonheights.info

    Maldon

    The soft play fun at Monkey Puzzle extends over four  levels, covering 2000 square metres,with its amazing giant play frame that is over 6 metres high - fantastic for climbing and running around.

  8. Maldon Newsagent

    Address

    118 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 852969

    Maldon

    Maldon Newsagent & Off Licence is a convenience store selling magazines and newspapers, groceries, sweets, alcohol and everyday essentials.

  9. Mangapps Railway Museum

    Address

    Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QG

    Telephone

    01621 784898

    jjmangapps@gmail.com

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Extensive working railway museum including locomotives, carriages, wagons, historic buildings, memorabilia and a major collection of signalling equipment. Much of the collection is under cover. Train rides are available every open day.

  10. Blue House Farm

    Address

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

    Telephone

    +44 (0)1621 862960

    admin@essexwt.org.uk

    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.

  11. Lawling Park Hall

    Address

    Katonia Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AD

    Mayland

    This is a large, well equipped recreation ground with good access for cars and pedestrians.

  12. Woodup Pool

    Address

    Woodrolfe Hard, Tollesbury, Maldon, CM9 8SE

    Telephone

    01621 869039

    tollesburypc@btinternet.com

    Tollesbury

    Woodup Pool open-air lido is a tidal salt water amenity pool with an area of sand at one end. Children should be supervised at all times as there are no lifeguards in attendance. During the summer months a portable toilet is provided.

  13. Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve

    Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    admin@essexwt.org.uk

    Heybridge

    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.

  14. West Maldon Recreation Ground

    Address

    Sunbury Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6YQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    tourism@maldon.gov.uk

    Maldon

    This site consists of two large areas of grass, a large block of ancient woodland and buffer strips of shrubs and trees.
    Large car park, modern and well equipped community centre, enclosed children's play site, kickabout area and seating.

  15. Scooty Wooty's Pony Riding, Parties & Events

    Address

    St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    07955 383364

    Scootywootysponyparties@gmail.com

    Cold Norton

    Scooty Wooty's is a small riding establishment that offers horse riding lessons, pony riding , stable management, own a pony sessions and children's parties.

  16. Maldon Ghost Walk

    Address

    All Saints' Church, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PY

    maldonghostwalk@gmail.com

    Maldon

    Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (with some honest laughs to round it out).

  17. Braxted Park Golf Club

    Address

    Braxted Park, Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EN

    Telephone

    01376 572372

    golf@braxtedpark.com

    Braxted

    A well established and challenging 9-hole course set in the beautiful parkland of The Braxted Park Estate.

  18. North Fambridge Recreation Ground

    Address

    Fambridge Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6NB

    Telephone

    01621 828244

    nfampc3@gmail.com

    North Fambridge

    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.

  19. Marinestore Chandlery

    Address

    Shipways Yard, North Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HQ

    Telephone

    01621 854280

    chandlery@marinestore.co.uk

    Maldon

    Maldon Chandlery

  20. St Margaret's Church Woodham Mortimer

    Address

    Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN

    Woodham Mortimer

    Pretty St Margaret's Church dates from the 12th century, but the majority of the Grade II Listed building was reconstructed in the 19th century. Features include a 13th century font and an interesting graveyard with an impressive raised memorial to…

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