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: 583

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  1. Address

    Muslim Hall, Church St, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

    Telephone

    +447904659177

    Maldon

    Maldon Masjid – the Maldon District Islamic Cultural Association is set in a building that was once the Labour Hall. The mosque opened in 2005 and has been restored and transformed into a tranquil place for Muslim prayers. There is a separate…

  2. Address

    Heybridge Approach, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4PS

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Heybridge

    Consists of meadow, rank vegetation, scrub trees, wet ditches and open water. A man-made lake and island make up about one third of the site. Facilities include all weather paths and a number of seats near the lake.

  3. Address

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    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    A blue plaque marks D'Arcy House as the home of famous novelist Margery Allingham who wrote the Albert Campion detective stories.

  4. Address

    Bakersfield car park, The Drive, Maylandsea, CM3 6GT

    Maylandsea

    3 miles. Explore a tucked-away nature reserve that's famous for its butterflies and take in the lovely views from the seawall of Lawling Creek, with its yachts, barges and birdlife.

  5. Address

    8-12 Edwards Wakj, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    01621 855 921

    Maldon

    Bespoke shoe repair service. All types of keys cut and guaranteed to fit. Watch batteries and straps fitted. We sell lots of different items, walking sticks, leather purses, leather wallets, luggage and bags, cuff links, padlocks, shoe laces and…

  6. 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…

  7. Address

    161-163 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 855225

    Maldon

    Simply the Best Frames offers a professional picture framing service for all your artwork and photographs, with a wide range of options available. The shop also acts as an art gallery with a good selection of original artwork to purchase.

  8. Address

    The Lock House, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RY

    Telephone

    +44 (0)7712 079764

    Heybridge Basin

    This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.

  9. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    The Promenade Park maze was built in the 1990s and is a simple hedge maze that children will enjoy. At the centre is a sculpture, in the shape of a standing stone or obelisk, that is called the Singing Stone.

  10. Address

    Fish Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AX

    Telephone

    01621 788145

    Goldhanger

    Goldhanger Sailing Club

  11. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 893025

    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.

  12. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LE

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Maldon

    The site boasts one of the largest and best equipped children's play sites in the Maldon District. The play equipment has been designed so that it is exciting and challenging for children of all ages.

  13. Address

    27 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AG

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    High end stockist of quality vintage men's clothing, specialising in 1930s to 1950s Military and workwear, as well as Levi jeans and other quality pre-1980s mens fashion and clothing. The company has an extensive onliine offering as well as offering…

  14. Address

    Chic, 98 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 856301

    Maldon

    Chic

  15. Address

    Butt Lane Car Park, Butt Lane, Maldon, CM9 5HD

    Maldon

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 1.3 miles. A gentle walk exploring Maldon's historic waterfront, with plenty of opportunities to detour and explore or enjoy refreshments along the way.

  16. Address

    The Pier by Priors Boatyard, Quayside, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AS

    Telephone

    07853 401746

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    New for the 2023 season, Seal Trips Essex offers a variety of cruises aboard Celtic Prince, a refurbished boat carrying up to 10 passengers, with toilet facilities, ample indoor and outdoor seating with a canopy, and the option of snacks and drinks…

  17. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    The Deckchair Hut, operated by The Maldon Deckchair Company is offering deckchair hire at Promenade Park - sit in comfort to watch the children play, the barges sail by or simply soak up the sunshine or enjoy a picnic.

    Deckchairs have to be booked…

  18. Address

    Five Lakes Resort, Colchester Road, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, CM9 8HX

    Telephone

    01621 862324

    Tolleshunt Knights

    Come along to relax and dine with us at Brasserie 1, one of the best restaurants in Essex. What can you expect from the menu? International food with a great British twist, including fish, grilled meats and steaks, salads and much more.

  19. Address

    167 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 770029

    Burnham

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

  20. Address

    54 Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6ED

    Telephone

    01621 854687

    Maldon

    Traditional bakery with fresh bread made on the premises each morning. Wide range of different loaves and rolls, plus tasty cakes, sandwiches, sausage rolls and other takeaway lunch items.

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