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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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View Map and What's Nearby

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: 583

, currently showing 181 to 200.

  1. Borough Flooring & Home

    Address

    160 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BX

    Telephone

    01621 927110

    Maldon

    Borough Flooring & Home, previously known as Borough Carpets, stocks all kinds of flooring for both residential and corporate premises. From luxury carpets to hard-wearing carpet tiles, vinyl and laminate to wood floors, the choice is vast. The…

  2. The West Field

    Address

    Vicarage Lane , Tillingham , Southminster, CM0 7TW

    Telephone

    01621 779584

    tillingham.pc@btinternet.com

    Tillingham

    Car park, public toilets, football pitch, cricket pitch, bowls club, sports pavilion, enclosed children's play site and youth shelter.

  3. Maldon United Reformed Church URC

    Address

    Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01621 859365

    info@maldonurc.org.uk

    Maldon

    The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to…

  4. 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…

  5. Finale

    Address

    19A High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PE

    Telephone

    01621 854471

    Julie@ciniglio.co.uk

    Maldon

    Lovely selection of ladies clothing, jewellery and accessories. Now in a larger shop in Maldon High Street.

  6. Cold Norton Playing Field

    Address

    Cherry Blossom Lane, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6JQ

    Telephone

    01621 829566

    mariadyer30@yahoo.co.uk

    Cold Norton

    Well equipped and maintained site in a pleasant setting with views to the north west towards the Blackwater estuary. Village hall, car park, football pitch, basketball court, skateboard ramps, childrens play site, wildflower meadow & copse.

  7. St Leonard's Church

    Address

    Station Rd, Southminster, Essex, CM10 7EW

    Telephone

    01621 772300

    vicar@stleonardsouthminster.org.uk

    Southminster

    Parts of this historic parish church are nearly 1000 years old, dating back to about 1100 AD. In modern times it has become a vibrant community church hosting a number of activities such as concerts and art displays.

  8. The Moot Hall

    Address

    High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 851553

    manager@themoothall.co.uk

    Maldon

    This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.

  9. Great Totham Stores & Post Office

    Address

    7 Maldon Road, Great Totham, CM9 8PR

    Telephone

    01621 892721

    Great Totham

    Great Totham Stores & Post Offices is a general convenience store selling magazines and newspapers, greetings cards, off-licence, confectionery and food, including hot snacks, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks to take away. There is also a Post…

  10. Superdrug

    Address

    56 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 851384

    Maldon

    Superdrug

  11. All Saints' Church, Gt Braxted

    Address

    Church Chase, Great Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EW

    Telephone

    01621 819557

    thurstableteamadmin@btinternet.com

    Great Braxted

    The medieval church features a Nave and Chancel from the 12th century and is situated within the 2,000-acre Braxted Park estate. The churchyard is home to the Commonwealth War Grave of Brigadier General Hubert John Du Cane.

  12. Morrisons

    Address

    Limebrook Way, Maldon, CM9 6GG

    Maldon

    Morrisons supermarket includes a petrol station and carwash, cafe, photo booth, dry cleaning, National Lottery, ATM bank machines, Coinstar machine, Rug Doctor hire and floristry department, and well as a huge range of groceries and essentials.

  13. 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.

  14. Marconi Sailing Club

    Address

    Stansgate Abbey Farm, Stansgate, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7NU

    Telephone

    01621 772164

    info@marconi-sc.org.uk

    Southminster

    Marconi Sailing Club

  15. Timpson

    Address

    55 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 856154

    Maldon

    Timpson offers key cutting, shoe repairs, phone and tablet repairs and new screens, watch repairs and battery replacements and a mobile locksmith service.

  16. Quidvis Universum - Star Wars Universe

    Address

    1 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    020 8090 5048

    sales@starwarsuniverse.shop

    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. 

  17. Fellowship Afloat (FACT)

    Address

    Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust, The Sail Lofts, Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE

    Telephone

    01621868113

    info@fact.org.uk

    Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury

    Fellowship Afloat's centre is a unique place for adventure, relaxation and exploring the environment.
    Based on a converted lightvessel moored on the coast, it's an ideal activity venue for youth clubs, schools, churches, special needs groups and…

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

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.

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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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