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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: 583

, currently showing 241 to 260.

  1. McColls

    Address

    6-8 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8BG

    Telephone

    01621 786140

    Burnham

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

  2. Goldhanger and Blackwater Estuary - Self-Guided Walk No. 3.2

    Address

    Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

    Goldhanger

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 8.3 miles. This long, circular walk combines farmland and seawall around the charming and historic village of Goldhanger, with its cottages, pubs and 11th century church.

  3. 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…

  4. Lawling Playing Field

    Address

    Katonia Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AD

    Telephone

    01621 743551

    maylandpc@btinternet.com

    Mayland

    A large well equipped rec ground with good access for cars & pedestrians. Football pitches, floodlit tennis/5 a side courts, a range of play equipment for older children, rebound wall, youth shelter & large erath mounds for BMXing.

  5. The Jacks Centre

    Address

    Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6EX

    Telephone

    01621 742051

    info@jackscentre.co.uk

    Latchingdon

    An all-year-round Indoor Bowls Facility, with cafe, bar and the Golding Room for Weddings, Christenings, Birthday Parties, Wakes and other celebrations.

  6. Friary Walled Garden

    Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FW

    Telephone

    01621 855902

    lindalister96@googlemail.com

    Essex

    It is an old garden site and suffered a period of neglect but is now being cared for by volunteers from Maldon & Heybridge Horticultural Society. The garden is very small and normally open to the public for a short time once a month.

  7. St Mary's Chapel

    Address

    Braxted Road, Little Braxted, CM8 3LD

    Little Braxted

    The great church artist Ernest Geldart was Rector of Little Braxted from 1883 to 1900, and he built this little chapel beside his Rectory in 1885 during a time when he was incapacitated after breaking a leg.

  8. Frangipani SUP

    Address

    Bath Place Wharf, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5GU

    Telephone

    07597 094233

    info@frangipanisup.com

    Maldon

    Frangipani 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.

  9. Baby and Toddler Rhymetime at Burnham Library

    Address

    103 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    burnham.library@essex.gov.uk

    Burnham

    Tuesdays. Baby & Toddler Rhymetime is designed for the under fives. Free your child’s imagination with songs and stories, give their early communication skills a boost and have fun together! No need to book, just come along and join in.

  10. The Rio Cinema

    Address

    31 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 929314

    info@burnhamrio.co.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    The Rio Cinema is independently owned and was built in 1931, offering 2 screens showing current films at historically low prices! The Rio is a must for residents, visitors and cinema enthusiasts alike.

  11. First Stop Supermarket

    Address

    167 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 842963

    Maldon

    First Stop Supermarket is a well-stocked convenience store with an array of genuinely fresh vegetables, fruit and generous bunches of herbs, as well as all the everyday grocery and household essentials. The store also has an off-licence and is open…

  12. Elmwood Equestrian Centre

    Address

    Elm Farm, Maldon Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8NT

    Telephone

    01621 783216

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Qualified instructors cater for all ages and stages. Very good hacking, long distance horse riding, pony trekking and beach rides. Introduction to riding - lead rein for the very young, plus group and private lessons. Weight limit 15 st.

  13. Chic

    Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 856301

    Maldon

    Chic

  14. Gardeners Farm Shop

    Address

    Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ

    Telephone

    01621 788162

    sue.gardenersfarm@btconnect.com

    Goldhanger

    Gardneners Farm stocks fresh free-range and rare breed meat reared on the farm, produce and food products including refill olive oils and vinegars, chutneys and sauces, cheese and eggs. Enjoy a hot pie or coffee and cake while you're there.

  15. Barrett's Perfect Buns

    Address

    10 High Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8RG

    Telephone

    01621 869317

    yazobabe@hotmail.co.uk

    Tollesbury

    Village bakery selling freshly baked bread, filled rolls and sandwiches and beautiful cakes made on the premises with variations all year round.

  16. Danielle Styles

    Address

    134 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BX

    daniellestylesboutique@outlook.com

    Maldon

    Style your wardrobe with the latest women's fashion trends, plus nightwear, accessories and shoes at this boutique shop.

  17. 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.

  18. Heybridge Towpath and Seawall - Self-Guided Walk No. 2.2

    Address

    Daisy Meadow car park, Basin Road, Heybridge, CM9 4RW

    Heybridge

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 3.58 miles. A slightly longer stroll in the Walk it Local collection, but worth the effort, taking in bustling Heybridge Basin with its boats, sea-lock, water birds and pubs, the seawall with estuary views back…

  19. Harlow (Blackwater) Sailing Club

    Address

    Seaview Parade, End of North Drive, Maylandsea, Essex, CM3 6EL

    Telephone

    01621 740300

    secretary@harlow-blackwater-sc.co.uk

    Maylandsea

    Situated on Lawling Creek off the Blackwater Estuary the HBSC caters for dinghy and cruiser owners, racers and pleasure sailors, beginners and experts.

  20. Maldon Riverside Heritage Trail - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.1

    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.

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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