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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

, currently showing 441 to 460.

  1. St Peter's Church, Goldhanger

    Address

    Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

    Goldhanger

    St. Peter’s Church is central to the spirit of the village and the close community here. We hold services on the second Sunday of the month at 10:00am and a family service every other week.

  2. Great & Little Braxted & Wickham Bishops War Memorial

    Address

    Junction of Beacon Hill and Kelvedon Road, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3HW

    Wickham Bishops

    Great Braxted, Little Braxted and Wickham Bishops war memorial is a Grade II listed stone memorial with a tall, hexagonal pillar topped with an orb and cross, standing on a three-step hexagonal plinth. The memorial was given to the area by Mr and…

  3. RAF Bradwell Bay

    Address

    Trusses Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QS

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    RAF Bradwell Bay is a former Royal Air Force station located on the Dengie Peninsular, approximately 9.5 miles east of Maldon. It is the site of a war memorial to the 121 members of the Allied Air Forces who "in answer to the call of duty left this…

  4. Rowing and Pedalo's at Chigborough

    Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    chigboroughfarm@gmail.com

    Heybridge

    Rowing 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.

  5. Marven's Riding Stables

    Address

    Fanners Farm, Maypole Road, Wickham Bishops, Essex, CM8 3LX

    Telephone

    01621 891011

    glen.j@dwbgroup.co.uk

    Wickham Bishops

    Belonging to 'East Anglian Rides', a friendly, safety conscious family yard.

  6. Monastery of St John the Baptist

    Address

    The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8EZ

    Tolleshunt Knights

    The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist is an Orthodox monastic community composed of nuns and monks of various nationalities. The monastery was founded by Sophrony Sakharov, later canonised as Saint Sophrony. The calm…

  7. Maldon Market

    Address

    Butt Lane Car Park, Butt Lane, Maldon, CM9 5HD

    alex@suffolkmarketevents.co.uk

    Maldon

    Thursdays. The historic town centre of Maldon has had a street market since medieval times, and the tradition is about to be rejuvenated with the launch of a new outdoor market in October 2023. Opportunities are available for new stall holders!

  8. St Lawrence Heritage Church

    Address

    Saint Lawrence Hill, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7LN

    Telephone

    01621 776203

    Steeple

    This active rural parish church, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Blackwater Estuary provides exhibitions and community activities. Light refreshments available.

  9. Forever Ink

    Address

    72 Station Rd, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    01621 783099

    jamie.vallance@sky.com

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Forever Ink covers a wide range of tattoo styles from traditional to custom designs. They also offer body piercings.

  10. The Spa at Five Lakes Resort

    Address

    Five Lakes Resort, Colchester Road, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, CM9 8HX

    Telephone

    01621 862324

    spa@fivelakes.co.uk

    Tolleshunt Knights

    Come along to relax and dine with us at Brasserie 1, one of the best restaurants in Essex. What can you expect from the menu? International food with a great British twist, including fish, grilled meats and steaks, salads and much more.

  11. Henry Eight Antiques & Curios

    Address

    Kings Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    07888 654738

    khchenry8@gmail.com

    Maldon

    Henry Eight is a new antique shop in the Kings Head Centre, selling antiques, curios, retro items and gifts. As well as selling in the shop, they will also be selling on Facebook and eBay, as well as offering a video call service for anyone who…

  12. 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.

  13. Bell Meadow

    Address

    Church Hill, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RF

    Telephone

    01245 373686

    parishclerk@woodhamwalter-pc.gov.uk

    Woodham Walter

    This is a steeply sloping site with a relatively flat area at the top of the site. The elevated position allows good views over the village of Woodham Walter and beyond to the Chelmer Valley. A new children's playground has recently been built and…

  14. 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.

  15. Maldon Prom junior parkrun

    Address

    Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    maldonpromjuniors@parkrun.com

    Maldon

    A weekly free 2k timed running event for juniors.

  16. Little Totham Village Green

    Address

    The Green, Little Totham, Maldon, CM9 8JG

    Telephone

    01621 891363

    lucy.messent@btinternet.com

    Little Totham

    This small, triangular shaped site is located at the centre of the village. Swings, slide and pond. Pedestrians are advised to take care when crossing the road to this site.

  17. Maldon Golf Club

    Address

    Beeleigh, Langford, Essex, CM9 4SS

    Telephone

    01621 853212

    Secretary@MaldonGolfClub.org

    Langford

    Challenging tight parkland course set in picturesque countryside.

  18. Dengie Petting Zoo

    Address

    On the Latch, Burnham Road, Latchingdon, CM3 6BL

    Telephone

    07930 243225

    jcpartypets@gmail.com

    Latchingdon

    Dengie Petting Zoo is run by J&C Party Pets, owners of Maldon Promenade Zoo. This smaller venue, in the grounds of On The Latch restaurant, has around 20 species of animals, most of which are rescued. The playful meerkats are a particular favourite…

  19. Canine Dip and Dive Club

    Address

    Gardeners Farm, Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ

    Telephone

    07375 666792

    caninedipanddivemaldon@outlook.com

    Goldhanger

    Would you like to go for a swim with your dog? Well at Canine Dip and Dive you can enjoy all the fun of an open-air swimming pool while helping your furry friend to have fun and learn to love the water.

  20. Woodham Walter Common Walk

    Address

    The Street, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6SA

    Woodham Walter

    This walk starts and finishes in the ancient and attractive village of Woodham Walter. The views across rural Essex are lovely. The terrain is varied, with arable fields, horse paddocks, a nature reserve and woodland.

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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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