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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 481 to 500.

  1. The Beauty Box

    Address

    153 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    07534 511729

    Maldon

    Fully qualified and insured beautician with more than 10 years' experience. This beauty salon focues on Russian/individual eyelash extensions and makeup application, along with bridal and prom make-up, hair and aesthetic treatments.

  2. Buggy Bootcamp

    Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    07718135276

    Lianne@supermummafitness.co.uk

    Maldon

    From Friday 5 May. Enjoy a fun new fitness class for new mums at Maldon's beautiful Promenade Park with outdoor Buggy Bootcamp. Begin your postnatal fitness journey in a fun, friendly atmosphere with other mums and babies/toddlers. Classes taught by…

  3. The Card Company

    Address

    52 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 858658

    thecardcompanymaldon@gmail.com

    Maldon

    Cards & Gifts

  4. Maldon Cemetery & Commonwealth War Graves

    Address

    London Road, Maldon, CM9 6LJ

    Maldon

    Maldon Cemetery dates back to 1855 and the older parts of the cemetery are both havens for wildlife and fascinating places to visit. The cemetery is home to 21 Commonwealth War Graves.

  5. Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Sea Lock

    Address

    Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

    Heybridge Basin

    Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the Blackwater Estuary and would once have enabled smaller boats to enter and exit the canal and travel around the coastline. Today it is can still be used by suitable…

  6. Althorne Recreation Ground

    Address

    Burnham Road, Summerhill, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BX

    Telephone

    01621 744825

    clerk@althornecouncil.plus.com

    Althorne

    Large recreation ground with adjacent wooded area. Car park, hall, two football pitches, tennis court, children's play eqpt.

  7. 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.

  8. Illusions Hair Salon

    Address

    Above 140 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BX

    Telephone

    01621 856816

    Maldon

    Illusions Hair Salon is a unisex hairdresser on the first floor of this historic Tudor building.

  9. Tolleshunt Major Recreation Ground

    Address

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy Road, Tolleshunt Major, Maldon, CM9 8LN

    Telephone

    01621 860265

    vysian.banyard@hotmail.com

    Tolleshunt Major

    An attractive site on the edge of the village with areas of long grass, hedgerows and mature oak trees. Car park, football pitch, 5 a side goals, basketball hoop, children's play site, dog walk area, teen shelter and seating.

  10. Daymens Hill Farm

    Address

    Brickhouse Road, Tolleshunt Major, CM9 8JZ

    Telephone

    01621 815327

    daymenshillfarm@gmail.com

    Tolleshunt Major

    Daymens Hill Farm is home to around 4,000 apple and pear trees. The farm is open from early September until mid-October for pick-you-own PYO apples and pears, then the seasonal farm shop stays open at weekends until the end of March selling apples…

  11. Partners in Hair

    Address

    4 Mildmay House, Foundry Lane, Burnham, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    01621 785779

    partners.hair@icloud.com

    Burnham

    Family run unisex hair salon with a freshly refurbished interior.

  12. Ascension Hair

    Address

    37a High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 852000

    Maldon

    Ascension Hair is a hairdressing salon in Maldon.

  13. Discovery Seals

    Address

    Essex Marina, Wallsea Island, SS4 2HF

    Telephone

    07748 653900

    charterdiscovery@gmail.com

    Wallsea Island

    Discovery Charters offers fishing and seal watching wildlife trips which leave from Essex Marina on Wallasea Island, from Burnham-on-Crouch and from Fambridge Yacht Harbour.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. Burnham to Southminster - Self-Guided Walk No. 6.4

    Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch station, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.2 miles. This attractive linear pub walk takes you from the charming riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch in a steady climb across the final outlier of the rolling farmland of central Essex, before reaching…

  17. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Charity Shop

    Address

    50 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8BQ

    Telephone

    01621 784837

    Burnham

    Charity shop in aid of the Air Ambulance which sells clothes, bric-a-brac, toys, linen, china and much more.

  18. The Bra Consultancy

    Address

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

    Telephone

    07790 270503

    info@thebraconsultancy.co.uk

    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.

  19. Stone Sailing Club

    Address

    Tinnocks Lane, St Lawrence, Essex, CM0 7NF

    Telephone

    01621 779344

    contactus@stonesailingclub.org.uk

    St Lawrence

    Sailing Club on the south side of the Blackwater River offering full dinghy racing programme and cruiser sailing with full social activities plus canoeing.

  20. Heybridge Creek

    Address

    The Causeway, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 5FA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    contact@maldon.gov.uk

    Heybridge

    Heybridge Creek is a channel that forms part of the flood relief scheme for the Heybridge area. The still, shallow water has led to the formation of a significant reedbed - in spring it is home to many breeding warblers.

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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