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: 583

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  1. Address

    Garden Fields, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Telephone

    01621 868352

    Steeple

    This site consists of a large area of grass surrounded by hedges. Football pitch, unfenced children's play site and basketball net

  2. Address

    Great Totham, Essex, CM8 3ED

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Great Totham

    This 50 acre reserve is just below the crest of the Great Totham Ridge and includes 23 acres of ancient woodland forming part of the Chantry Wood complex. A wonderful carpet of Bluebells can be enjoyed in the spring.

  3. Address

    90-94 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 852241

    Maldon

    Townrow

  4. Address

    171 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    07576 549149

    Maldon

    Nail salon specialising in acrylic and gel sculpted extensions, gel polish, polish, glitter toes and nail art.

  5. Address

    Scarr Cottage, Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SB

    Telephone

    01621 828903

    Stow Maries

    Martin's Lane Vineyard specializes in the production of only the finest quality and ripest grapes to produce the very best in English wines.

  6. Address

    16 Edward's Walk, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    07790 270503

    Maldon

    The Bra Consultancy is a Lingerie Boutique that provides a personalised fitting service with a size range including 28-50 AA-K. We offer the following ranges of styles: Fashion, Sports, Post-Surgery, Non-Wired and Pregnancy & Nursing.

  7. Address

    Church Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, CM9 8TS

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    St Nicholas Church is Grade I listed. Its churchyard extension, a little way up the road, has three Commonwealth War Graves.

  8. Address

    The Square, Tillingham, Essex, CM07SU

    Telephone

    01621 779620

    Tillingham

    This Grade II listed parish church has a beautiful setting in the village square in Tillingham, surrounded by white weatherboarded cottages. It is also home to the village's war memorials.

  9. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    North Fambridge

    This 200 year old church is the only place of worship in North Fambridge.

  10. Address

    103 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    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.

  11. Address

    12e West Station Yard, Maldon, CM9 6TW

    Telephone

    0203 39 77719

    Maldon

    Meatline is a family business with three shops, including the West Station Yard store in Maldon, selling to the public and trade customers. Meatline specialises in meat selection packs as well as a wide variety of items for the barbeque. Home…

  12. Address

    Pantile Hill, Southminster, CM0 7BA

    Telephone

    01621 772238

    Southminster

    Friendly local convenience store and off-licence, selling a wide range of essentials.

  13. Address

    Southfield Way, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7BB

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Southminster

    Seasons Wood consists mainly of hawthorn & blackthorn scrub. To the northern end of the site is a small area of grassland & a balancing pond.

  14. Address

    1 Chandlers Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LF

    Telephone

    07801 364 135

    Maldon

    Marigold Charters offers sailing adventures on and around the river Blackwater. Their vessel Marigold is a Gravesend Bawley built upon the lines of the Lilliam in 1869.

  15. Address

    101 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 856072

    Maldon

    Traditional bakery with fresh bread made on the premises each morning. Wide range of different loaves and rolls, plus tasty cakes, sandwiches, sausage rolls and other takeaway lunch items.

  16. Address

    15 Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6DY

    Telephone

    07553 209706

    Maldon

    The Tolleyshop is a friendly off-licence and convenience store stocking a wide range of wine, beer and spirits, along with milk and groceries.

  17. Address

    Braxted Lane, Great Totham, Maldon, CM9 8DD

    Telephone

    01621 891474

    Great Totham

    A pleasant, undulating site, approximately half woodland and half grassland with some large oak trees. Childrens play site, basketball net and kickabout area.

  18. 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…

  19. Address

    77 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 853328

    Maldon

    A family-run business since 1936, Wenlocks provides a high-quality service to domestic and business customers. We offer a range of custom-made furnishing products, including curtains and blinds, window headings, bedspreads and related accessories,…

  20. Address

    157 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    07488 368550

    Burnham

    Priscila, owner of the Bridal Rack discovered a love for wedding dresses whilst looking for her own wedding gown. She now aims to assist every bride in finding their perfect gown without the added stress and overwhelm that comes from attending a…

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