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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 1 to 20.

  1. 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.

  2. Promenade Valley Play Area & Galleon

    Address

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

    Maldon

    Welcome to the Valley Play Area in Maldon's Promenade Park!

    Featuring the Galleon and Mini-Galleon play ships as well as a zip-line and interactive play equipment, this is the perfect destination for a family friendly and action packed visit all…

  3. Poundstretcher

    Address

    67 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 842795

    Maldon

    Welcome to Poundstretcher Maldon, located on the High Street, where every penny counts! Find great deals across a huge range of everyday essentials and household products. Be they groceries, confectionery, kitchen appliances, décor, furniture,…

  4. St Andrew's Church

    Address

    The Street, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4NB

    Telephone

    01621 857004

    Heybridge

    A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century to its present condition. Seating for 200 including choir, with wheel chair access and hearing aid loop system.

  5. Salvation Army Citadel

    Address

    12 Wantz Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5DE

    Telephone

    01621 840088

    maldon@salvationarmy.org.uk

    Maldon

    The building in Wantz Road has been used by the Salvation Army for many years as our place of Worship and Christian Service. Our regular Sunday morning service is at 10.30am with various events throughout the week, including our toddler group on…

  6. 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.

  7. Stow Maries Halt

    Address

    Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SJ

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Stow Maries

    This 5.5 acre reserve consists of the former Stow Maries Halt on the disused Maldon to South Woodham Ferrers railway line, along with an adjoining four-acre meadow acquired later.

  8. Essex Waterways Limited

    Address

    Papermill Lock, North Road, Little Baddow, Maldon, Please select a region, state or province., CM3 4BS

    Telephone

    01245226245

    Essex @waterways.org.uk

    Little Baddow, Maldon

    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. Templeman Galleries

    Address

    54 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

    Telephone

    01621 786243

    templemangalleries@uwclub.net

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Templeman Galleries specializes in original pictures and also provides a bespoke picture framing service. The gallery stocks a large selection of unusual gifts, objects d’art and jewellery.

  10. Hester Place Play Area

    Address

    Hester Place, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8SA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    contact@maldon.gov.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Small site accessible on foot from Hester Place or The Pippins.
    Enclosed children's play site, kickabout area, basketball net, wildlife area.

  11. Blackwater Estuary

    Address

    Blackwater, CM9 5HW

    The Blackwater Estuary is a 5,538 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with 4,395 hectares being designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and Special Protection Area, while 1,099 hectares of the Estuary is…

  12. Emporium on the Quay

    Address

    The Quay, Burnham, CM0 8AT

    Telephone

    07583 888888

    info@bistroonthequay.com

    Burnham

    Gift shop on The Quay in Burnham which supports independent artists, designers and makers. Stocks beautiful, unique hand made products and gifts, plus toys, cards, setts, preserves, jewellery and local Burnham on Crouch souvenirs.

  13. Topsail Charters

    Address

    Cooks Barge Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

    Telephone

    01621 857567

    info@top-sail.co.uk

    Maldon

    Historic sailing barges ‘Hydrogen’ and ‘Thistle’ are available for regular public cruises and also for private hire for groups up to 50 from a variety of East Coast locations including Maldon and Ipswich.

  14. 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…

  15. D'Arcy House, home of Margery Allingham

    Address

    1 South Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TR

    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.

  16. 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…

  17. Ladies Football by England Football

    Address

    Upper Plume school artificial pitch, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621854477

    Ben.Thornett@maldon.gov.uk

    Maldon

    A brand-new project on the back of the success that the Lionesses' achieved during 2022.

    The sessions are run by Simon and Ben from Maldon District Council's community health and wellbeing team and is open to women aged 18+ and costs just £1 per…

  18. Plume Academy Artificial Grass Pitch

    Address

    Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    AGP@maldon.gov.uk

    Maldon

    The Plume Academy AGP is managed in partnership between Plume Academy and Maldon District Council. The pitch hosts Academy and community usage weekdays and weekends. On site parking via Academy car park.

  19. Dog Friendly Fridays - Wildlife Walk

    Address

    Hackman's Lane, Purleigh, CM3 6RN

    Telephone

    01245 329358

    info@stowmaries.org.uk

    Purleigh

    Every Friday. Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is opening up its peaceful wildlife walk for well-behaved dogs and their owners every Friday. There is free entry to the walk and visitors and their four-legged friends are welcome to buy lunch or other…

  20. Crouch Valley: Burnham to Althorne - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.3

    Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch station, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BQ

    tourism@maldon.gov.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 5.5 miles. This superb linear riverside walk starts from Burnham-on-Crouch railway station, taking you westward to Althorne where you can take a train to return.

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.

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