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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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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

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  1. The Quaker Hall

    Address

    Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

    contact@midessexquakers.org.uk

    Maldon

    The Quaker Hall

  2. 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…

  3. Dawn Breaker Charters

    Address

    Fambridge Yacht Haven, Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LR

    Telephone

    07760 268168

    info@dawnbreakercharters.co.uk

    North Fambridge

    Dawnbreaker IV has been built to a high specification to provide you with a fishing experience second to none. Fully insured and licenced for 10 persons and Code of Practice for up to 60 miles. Capable of up to 28 knots and with a comfortable…

  4. Tollesbury Cruising Club

    Address

    Tollesbury Marina, Woodrolfe Rd, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE

    Telephone

    01621 869561

    vice.commodore@tollesburycc.co.uk

    Tollesbury

    Situated in the heart of one of the friendliest marinas on the East Coast facilities at this club include a restaurant and bar, swimming pool and tennis courts.

  5. Royal Burnham Yacht Club

    Address

    The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AU

    Telephone

    01621 782044

    info@rbyc.org.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    This prestigious yacht club overlooks the River Crouch and is open all year 7 days a week. It has an active junior section, an affiliated rowing club and visiting yachtsmen are always welcome.

  6. Pirates Bay Adventure Golf

    Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 854095

    Info@piratesbaymaldon.co.uk

    Maldon

    Pirates Bay is an exciting 19 hole adventure Golf Course offering loads of fun for all ages.

  7. Chelmer Cruises - Heybridge Basin

    Address

    Daisy Meadow Kiosk, Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, Essex, CM9 4RY

    Telephone

    01245 226245

    victoria@waterways.org.uk

    Heybridge Basin

    Spend a day at Heybridge Basin - you can have a picnic, view the boats and hop on a one hour boat trip on our canal boat Blackwater Dawn.

  8. Nathan's Chop Shop

    Address

    9 King's Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 840136

    Maldon

    Gentlemen's barber shop in Maldon Essex offering a premium barber service to all. All inclusive time-based fee system - for example, the Full Works includes wash, cut, beard trim and styling.

  9. Hang Up Vintage

    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…

  10. Bunsay Golf Course & Badgers Par 3

    Address

    Little Baddow Road, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RU

    Telephone

    01245 222648

    Maldon

    Bunsay Golf Club and Badger par 3 course are courses that offer a delightful oasis of calm and total privacy surrounded by natural streams, the courses are protected from modern day interruptions.

  11. St Michael the Archangel

    Address

    Church Hill, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RJ

    Telephone

    01245 223551

    Woodham Walter

    Built in 1563, St Michael's is the sole Elizabethan church in Essex and one of only six built in England during Elizabeth's reign.

  12. British Heart Foundation

    Address

    75A High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 841638

    Maldon

    At the British Heart Foundation charity shop you will find a great range of preloved items and new items, from clothing, shoes and accessories to books, toys and homeware. We also have greetings cards for all occasions, pin badges and small gifts.…

  13. The Maze & Singing Stone

    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.

  14. Bradwell & St Peter's Chapel - Self-Guided Walk No. 5.2

    Address

    Bradwell Village Hall, South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QJ

    tourism@maldon.gov.uk

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 6.5 miles. Spectacular waterside walk taking in one of the district's most important historic sites – the ancient, lonely Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall. This easy, level circular walk covers 6.5 miles, much of it…

  15. Maldon Promenade Park Beach Huts

    Address

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

    directors@jandcpartypets.com

    Maldon

    Maldon's Promenade Park Beach Huts are located in the valley, with the Splash Park and Galleon, so you can be right in the middle of the action throughout your visit.

  16. 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,…

  17. Promenade Park

    Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    tourism@maldon.gov.uk

    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.

  18. Queen's Salon and Training Academy

    Address

    130 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    07957708493

    lizi@queenssalon.co.uk

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Beautiful nail art for every occasion, along with a range of other aesthetic treatments and training in nail techniques.

  19. Northey Island

    Address

    Northey Cottage, Northey Island, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6PP

    northeyisland@nationaltrust.org.uk

    Maldon

    Northey is an island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, connected to the mainland by a causeway that is covered by the tide twice every day. It is a Site of special scientific interest with a large area of undisturbed Saltmarsh. It is also the site…

  20. All Saints' Church, Ulting

    Address

    Church Rd, Ulting, Essex, CM9 6QU

    Telephone

    01245 380958

    info@hatfieldpeverelultingchurches.org.uk

    Ulting

    All Saints Church stands in a picturesque setting on the River Chelmer. It is Grade II* Listed and was built in 1150, with a barrel vaulted chancel roof. There is a Commonwealth War Grave in the churchyard.

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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.

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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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