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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 141 to 160.

  1. All Saints' Church, Creeksea

    Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 783963

    vera.wadman@allsaintscreeksea.org.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    All Saints' Church at Creeksea lies in an idyllic setting with beautiful views over the River Crouch. The current church building dates from the 1870s although there has been a church on this site since the 13th century.

  2. Burnham Town Walk - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.2

    Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch Library, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. This largely mud-free stroll follows an easy circuit of the riverside yachting centre giving visitors the opportunity to explore some lesser-visited parts of the town.

  3. Great Braxted Farm Shop

    Address

    Maldon Road junction with Braxted Park Road, Great Braxted, CO5 0QA

    Telephone

    01621 816464

    Greatbraxtedfarmshop@hotmail.com

    Great Braxted

    Family run farm shopping selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, mainly grown in the surrounding area, including a seasonal range of locally grown apples. You will also find preserves, local honey, fresh flowers, speciality cheeses, breads and…

  4. Trinity Lightvessel

    Address

    Off Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE

    Telephone

    01621868113

    info@fact.org.uk

    Tollesbury

    Walkers along the sea wall at Tollesbury will be fascinated by the large red ship moored on the saltmarshes. This is the Trinity Lightvessel, which was built in 1954 for Trinity House - the organisation which looks after shipping navigation marks…

  5. The Secret Butchers Shop

    Address

    Fowler Bros Ltd, Brook Farm, Marsh Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8NA

    Telephone

    01621 782759

    fowlerbros@tiscali.co.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Butcher’s shop selling local beef/lamb/pork. BBQ packs and the speciality Burnham banger.

  6. Sea-Change Sailing Trust

    Address

    Sea-Change Sailing Trust, Downs Road Boatyard, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HG

    Telephone

    01621840982

    judy@seachangesailingtrust.org.uk

    Maldon

    Sea-Change provides residential opportunities for young people and vulnerable adults to learn and develop in a unique environment. By living and working together aboard a traditional sailing vessel they participate in a wide range of life skills and…

  7. Key Station

    Address

    179 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    0333 032 9655

    hello@keystation.co.uk

    Maldon

    With state of the art key machines and programming software along with over 4000 key variations in stock Key Station is now ready to serve Maldon & the surrounding areas in cutting domestic and commercial keys as well as cut and program vehicle keys…

  8. Beeleigh Steam Mill

    Address

    Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

    Telephone

    0345 603 7624

    Maldon

    By appointment. Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five…

  9. Maldon Yacht Club

    Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 9EB

    Telephone

    01621 856895

    info@maldonyc.org.uk

    Maldon

    Established in 1949 the MYC is a small but thriving sailing club situated at the end of the promenade opposite Byrhtnoth. The Clubhouse is a converted barge which provides a galley, bar, changing rooms and a clubroom.

  10. 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…

  11. North Fambridge Yacht Club

    Address

    Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6LR

    Telephone

    01621 740370

    info@northfambridgeyachtclub.co.uk

    North Fambridge

    The North Fambridge Yacht Club was established in 1898 by founder member Francis B. Cooke and is set in a beautiful, peaceful and picture perfect location approximately 11 miles inland on the River Crouch at North Fambridge Yacht Station. The club…

  12. 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,…

  13. Lauriston Farm

    Address

    Lauriston Farm Chase, Goldhanger, Goldhanger, CM9 8AH

    Telephone

    01621 788348

    enquiries@lauristonfarm.co.uk

    Goldhanger

    Situated right on the Blackwater Estuary, just outside Goldhanger, Lauriston Farm is a certified biodynamic farm, using a gentle and chemical-free way of farming to grow seasonal vegetables, available through a doorstep-delivery vegetable bag scheme…

  14. Mayland Nature Reserve

    Address

    Nipselss Chase, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6EH

    Telephone

    01621 743551

    maylandpc@btinternet.com

    Mayland

    Previously a dense blackthorn scrub that was completely inaccessible, this site has now been opened up in part with paths & a central glade. There are a number of picnic benches & an information board about the site & its abundant wildlife.

  15. World War Two Avenue of Remembrance

    Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    The World War Two Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park, beginning close to the boating lake, consists of 86 Horse Chestnut trees that were planted in 1987 to commemorate local people who died serving their country during World War Two.

  16. Blackwater Triathlon Club

    Address

    Maldon

    blackwatertri@hotmail.com

    The Blackwater Triathlon club has been established for over 25 years, we are a small friendly club based in Maldon, Essex.

    We have an established membership covering all age groups within Triathlon ranging from the Junior club tri starts all the…

  17. Purleigh Playing Field

    Address

    Howe Green Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QA

    Telephone

    01245 320426

    jane.m.potter@btinternet.com

    Purleigh

    A large, well equipped site in a lovely setting on the edge of the village. Car park, sports pavilion (available for private hire), cricket pitch, football pitch, two croquet lawns, enclosed children's play area and basketball hoop.

  18. 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.

  19. 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…

  20. The Museum in the Park

    Address

    47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX

    Telephone

    07973 559981

    enquiries@maldonmuseum.org.uk

    Maldon

    The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this compact museum. Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, the exhibits are wide ranging. The replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which…

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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…

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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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