Tollesbury Wick Jan 2017 by Dave Watts

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About

Wildlife is abundant in the 600 acres of rough pasture, borrowdykes, sea walls, wet flushes, pools and saltmarsh.

Large areas of rough pasture suit small mammals such as field vole and pygmy shrew. In winter, they in turn attract hunting hen and marsh harriers and short-eared owls.

Dry grassland on the slopes of the sea walls supports a wide variety of insects, including butterflies, bush crickets and grasshoppers. In spring spiny restharrow, grass vetchling, slender hares-ear and many other wild flowers can be found in ungrazed areas.

Borrowdykes trace the inland edge of the sinuous seawall for its entire length. Common reed, sea clubrush and fennel pondweed are typical plants of these brackish areas where reed warbler and reed bunting nest in spring, and heron and little grebe search for food. Wet flushes, dykes and small pools in the pasture support aquatic plants such as water crowfoot, and breeding populations of dragonflies and other aquatic species.

Golden plover, lapwing, brent geese and wigeon feed or roost on the winter-wet grassland.

On the other side of the seawall, and within the reserve boundary, creeks, salt marsh and exposed mud support typical communities of coastal mud-dwelling invertebrates, coastal birds and salt marsh flora. Scattered shingle spits have yellow-horned poppy, and also a small breeding colony of little terns.

The main pillars of management are water level control and getting the right level of grazing to create suitable conditions for birds and other wildlife.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access

Children

  • Children welcome

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted
  • Public toilets

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Map & Directions

Tollesbury Wick Marshes

Type:Nature Reserve

Off Mell Road, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE

Tel: 01621 862960

Opening Times

* Jan - Dec

What's Nearby

  1. Walkers along the sea wall at Tollesbury will be fascinated by the large red ship moored…

    0.31 miles away
  2. Tollesbury Congregational Church has served the village since 1803.

    0.54 miles away
  3. WhimbrelArt in Tollesbury is a gallery specialising in the work of local artists and…

    0.57 miles away
  1. St Mary the Virgin is a beautiful Grade II* Listed church in the village of Tollesbury.…

    0.6 miles away
  2. Tollesbury War Memorial stands in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, a beautiful Grade…

    0.6 miles away
  3. Tollesbury's little prison was opened in 1700 and was in operation for around a century…

    0.61 miles away
  4. This is a large, open site with good views across the Blackwater Estuary towards St…

    0.64 miles away
  5. An opportunity to see an abundance of coastal wetland bird species in their natural…

    1.23 miles away
  6. This is a large open site on the edge of the village with views to the south towards the…

    2.33 miles away
  7. A blue plaque marks D'Arcy House as the home of famous novelist Margery Allingham who…

    2.41 miles away
  8. Bradwell Marina, on the Blackwater Estuary is ideally situated for exploring the river,…

    2.41 miles away
  9. In the middle of the road junction in Tolleshunt D'Arcy stands the village maypole, one…

    2.42 miles away
  10. St Nicholas Church is Grade I listed. Its churchyard extension, a little way up the road,…

    2.46 miles away
  11. St Lawrence Bay, also known as Stone, is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the…

    2.85 miles away
  12. RAF Bradwell Bay is a former Royal Air Force station located on the Dengie Peninsular,…

    2.89 miles away
  13. This 12th century Grade II* Listed church is now owned by the nearby Orthodox Monastery…

    3.2 miles away
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Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Landbreach Ltd, Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HT

    Telephone

    07766480793

    Maldon

    From May 2023. This traditional pleasure boat was built locally in 1947 and, following a complete restoration, is once again offering trips around the estuary. Moored at the ‘little blue jetty’, the Viking Saga is the best way to view both the Hythe…

  2. Address

    Upper Plume school artificial pitch, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621854477

    Maldon

    Run by Simon and Ben from our community health and wellbeing team, Just Play Football is open to people aged 18-65 and is free to attend.

    Each session aims to get people who want to play football, but don't have the time or opportunity to play…

  3. Address

    Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SJ

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Stow Maries

    This 5.5 acre reserve consists of the former Stow Maries Halt on the disused Maldon to South Woodham Ferrers railway line, along with an adjoining four-acre meadow acquired later.

  4. Address

    St George’s Close, Heybridge Basin, Essex, CM9 4RZ

    Heybridge Basin

    Lying alongside the sea wall and to the north of the Heybridge Basin's built-up area is the only open space contained within the village and available for public use. There's a popular, well-equipped play area for younger children.

  5. Address

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

    Telephone

    07930 243225

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    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…

  6. Address

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

    Telephone

    07760 268168

    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…

  7. Address

    167 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 842963

    Maldon

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  8. Address

    Edwards Walk Shopping Arcade, 22 White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QP

    Telephone

    01621 488048

    Maldon

    Maldon Escape Rooms is suitable for families, groups, corporate team building, stag nights, hen nights and anyone wanting a good hour of fun solving puzzles against the clock. Can you escape our themed rooms in one hour or less?

  9. Address

    East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7PN

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The Cockle Spit is a massive and ever-moving bank made from cockle and oyster shells. It's managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust and is visited by a huge number of wading birds. From here you can see concrete barges from the Second World War, used in…

  10. 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.

  11. Address

    2-6 Devonshire Road, Burnham, CM0 8BH

    Telephone

    01621 784378

    Burnham

    Hardware and homeware shop selling a wide range of decorating supplies, including Dulux paint, along with all kinds of items for the home and garden.

  12. Address

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

    Maldon

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

  13. 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.

  14. Address

    Bradwell Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7QY

    Telephone

    0345 200420

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Essex Outdoors provides high quality outdoor learning opportunities to the young people of Essex, and the wider community.

  15. Address

    2 Chigborough Road, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    An 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…

  16. Address

    Millfields, Burnham-on-Crouch, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Overlooking the River Crouch, Burnham’s Riverside Park offers activity and relaxation in equal measure. It is an ideal place for a stroll, a run, a picnic or to take part in some sport.

  17. Address

    Mountains Road, Great Totham, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8BY

    Telephone

    01621 891215

    Maldon

    Mixed working farm that grows soft fruits and cereals and keeps livestock, including Christmas turkeys, with traditional "pick your own" available from around mid-June to mid-July, depending on the weather. Strawberries and raspberries are available…

  18. Address

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

    Maldon

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.25 miles. This most enjoyable waterside walk provides the perfect introduction to Maldon’s countryside and riverside, including the scenic Beeleigh Falls and the seawall beside the Blackwater Estuary.

  19. Address

    Muslim Hall, Church St, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

    Telephone

    +447904659177

    Maldon

    Maldon Masjid – the Maldon District Islamic Cultural Association is set in a building that was once the Labour Hall. The mosque opened in 2005 and has been restored and transformed into a tranquil place for Muslim prayers. There is a separate…

  20. Address

    Bell Meadow, The Street, Woodham Walter, CM9 6RF

    Woodham Walter

    2.7 miles. This undulating walk explores the pretty village of Woodham Walter and its nearby woodland, known as The Wilderness, plus a visit to the scenic Hoe Mill Lock with its canal boats and wildlife.

Related

Tollesbury marshes, Aerial EssexTollesbury Wick Marshes Walk - Self-Guided Walk No. 4.2 / 4.3, MaldonSALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 5.8 or 8.9 miles. Tollesbury Wick Marshes is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Tollesbury is now renowned as a yachting centre; once upon a time the marshes were the haunt of smugglers.