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: 580

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BY

    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.

  2. Address

    Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Steeple

    This attractive walk branches off St Peter’s Way, the long distance footpath, at the village of Steeple. It heads north to the Blackwater Estuary and follows the seawall anti-clockwise until it returns to the village.

  3. Address

    151 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 781000

    Burnham

    Unisex hair salon offering a wide range of hair treatments.

  4. Address

    253 Mundon Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6PW

    Maldon

    MacTheatre - Maldon Actors Company was set up in 1995 by professional actors Barrie Jaimeson and Nicola Esson to raise awareness and status of the Arts in the Maldon District. We produce high quality theatre and Arts Events.

    The company became a…

  5. Address

    Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NN

    Great Totham

    This fascinating walk explores the myriad of lanes and footpaths encircling the villages of Great Totham and Wickham Bishops, and in springtime provides the perfect opportunity to see Maldon District’s most spectacular display of bluebells in Shut…

  6. Address

    Wycke Hill Business Park, Wycke Hill, Maldon, CM9 6TU

    Telephone

    0345 600 1795

    Maldon

    Pets at Home stocks all your pet care needs, whether it's for dogs and cats, small animals or fish, reptiles and birds. Helpful and well-trained staff can answer your queries and help you choose the right food and accessories for your pet.

  7. Address

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

    Telephone

    0300 303 1555

    Maldon

    First Monday of the month. This group is a social get together for unpaid adult carers across the Maldon District. This group is also where carers can come along and speak to a experienced Carers Support Adviser to find out information, advice and…

  8. Address

    5 High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AA

    Telephone

    01621 773198

    Southminster

    Convenience store selling groceries, confectionery, cards, wines and spirits, newspapers and more.

  9. Address

    Church Hill, Purleigh, CM3 6QH

    Telephone

    01621 829600

    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,…

  10. Address

    1 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    020 8090 5048

    Maldon

    We have now opened our own unique gift shop on Maldon High Street, specialising in Star Wars as well as expanding our range to include iconic science fiction and fantasy from film, TV and gaming franchises. 

  11. Address

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

    Maldon

    Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (mostly of the gruesome variety).

  12. Address

    St Peter’s Tower, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01621 851628

    Maldon

    The Maeldune Heritage Centre, set in the beautiful old St Peter's Church, is one of Maldon's most fascinating visitor attractions, mixing local history, temporary art and craft exhibitions, tourism information and the permanent home of the…

  13. Address

    57 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 731110

    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…

  14. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    This 100 year old Edwardian park encompasses an ornamental lake, a large water Splash Park, beach huts for hire, sandpits, a galleon play ship & aerial zip-wire & several picnic areas.

  15. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    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.

  16. Address

    Spital Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EA

    Telephone

    01621 857373

    Maldon

    Remains of an ancient Leper Hospital said to have been founded in 1164 by Henry II.

  17. Address

    Maypole Road, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3LX

    Telephone

    01621 892411

    Wickham Bishops

    Maypole Pet & Garden carries a wide range of pet food and accessories, including raw and natural dog food, treat pick and mix for canine friends, dog supplements, and toys and enrichment activities for pets. You will also find live fish, reptiles…

  18. Address

    76 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    0300 323 0403

    Maldon

    The RSPCA's Maldon charity shop has a good selection of adults and children's clothing, homeware, gifts, bric-a-brac and more. Donations and new volunteers are very welcome.

  19. Address

    60 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    01621 785300

    Burnham

    At Jacaranda Flowers by Sam Adams, we love flowers and our designs are modern, contemporary, and full of creativity! Send flowers locally, we deliver our beautiful bouquets from our flower shop in Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex 5 days a week. Order…

  20. Address

    Heybridge Cemetery, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, CM9 4QR

    Heybridge

    Heybridge War Memorial is a Grade II Listed memorial made from creamy Portland limestone and stands just inside the gates to the cemetery. Approximately 3m high, it is in the form of a cross with a stone relief sword on the front and an octagonal…

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