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Venture out along the Essex Coast and estuaries and you’ll encounter plenty of diverse natural environments and wildlife along the way. Did you know you can see seals just off the Essex Coast…? Seal watching trips run from Easter through until the Autumn from both Harwich Harbour and Burnham-on-Crouch.
Explore the Essex Wildlife Trust reserves at Fingringhoe Wick, Abberton Reservoir or Blue House Farm and visit the RSPB at Rainham Marshes and Wallasea Island. The southern shores of the Stour Estuary, stretching from Manningtree to Harwich, and a tributary of the estuary called the Samford Valley have recently been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Explore Essex country parks such as Cudmore Grove and Marsh Farm are filled with opportunities to get back to nature with the family.
The Countryside Code
There are many beautiful places and stories to discover along The Essex Coast, not only at the beaches but also on the banks of our tidal rivers and estuaries. It's important to follow the Countryside Code when visiting these rural areas to ensure we protect the habitat and wildlife.
For more information on an initiative to raise awareness on the birds visiting and breeding on our coast please visit Bird Aware Essex Coast where there is plenty of guidance on how to respect the birds, their breeding areas and the countryside.
We kindly ask that you follow the signs to keep noise levels low and dogs on leads when walking in areas where birds are nesting.
Inspiration
Harwich Harbour Foot and Bicycle Ferry is a quick and fun way to be on the water and get from Suffolk to Essex across the Harwich Harbour. Just half an hour from Colchester by car you are can be on the water. Departing from Felixstowe Landguard Fort, Harwich or Shotley Marina, its the perfect alternative to a long car journey or expensive train. Its not just a quick way to get from A-B, but is also great fun for all ages. You can see huge container ships, beautiful sailing boats, cruise liners, and Porpoise gliding through the Harbour. With lots to do on both sides of the crossing make a day of it to Visit the towns and beaches on either side. Its the link for cyclists riding the route 51.
Number of results: 22
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking, Stanford le Hope, Essex, SS17 0RNTelephone
+44 (0)1375 643342Stanford le Hope
A stunning and innovative visitor centre and Nature Park created on a former landfill site, with superb views over the Thames. Explore, play or just enjoy the views!
Address
Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0EUTelephone
+44 (0)1206 738172Colchester
One of Europe's top Wetland sites, excellent bird watching opportunities and fabulous views over the reservoir.
Address
South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO5 7DNTelephone
+44 (0)1206 729678Colchester
Nature reserve over 200 acres of mixed habitat on the Colne Estuary. Nature trails, wheelchair access, bird hides, gift shop and visitor centre with tea room. Friendly atmosphere. Regular events for adults and children.
Address
Belton Way (by Leigh-on-Sea train station), Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2GBLeigh-on-Sea
An outstanding 634 acre site situated off the Old Leigh coastline with a lagoon at its western tip.
Address
Off Mell Road, Tollesbury, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8SETelephone
01621 862960Maldon
One of Essex Wildlife Trust's best reserves. A large (600 acres) tract of ancient grazing marsh that is managed as a traditional coastal farm using the Trust's own rare breed livestock to encourage a superb variety of wildlife.
Address
Drake Road, Chafford Hundred Grays, Thurrock, RM16 6RGTelephone
01375 484016Chafford Hundred Grays
Set in a spectacular position over looking Warren Gorge. Chafford Gorges nature park offers 200 acres of green space for numerous wildlife and recreation for the 12,500 people living in Chafford Hundred.
Address
Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1WTTelephone
+44 (0)1268 711001Billericay
Set in beautiful woodland with views over the reservoir Hanningfield is the perfect place to walk, explore and play.
Address
Eastwood Road North, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, SS9 4LRTelephone
+44 (0)1702 477467Leigh-On-Sea
Belfairs Woodland Centre introduces visitors to the 1160-acre Living Landscape, a third of which is woodland, including a number of outstanding sites valuable for nature conservation.
Maldon
This 15 acre reserve consists of 1.5 miles of the former Maldon-Woodham Ferrers railway line, most of it on embankment. The northern 250m of the embankment has been isolated by the Maldon southern link road.
Address
Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GUTelephone
+44 (0)1621 862960North Fambridge
Blue House Farm was bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 1998 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and many other donors.
Address
Church Lane, Stow Maries, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6SLTelephone
01621 862960Chelmsford
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.
Address
East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7PNTelephone
01621 862960Southminster
Bradwell Cockle Spit on the Dengie Peninsular consists of some 30 acres of shell bank together with extensive saltmarsh. The spit has been built up by tidal currents and is mainly cockle and oyster shells.
Address
Off of Tiptree Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM8 3EDTelephone
01621 862960Great 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.
Address
Essex Wildlife Trust, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, Essex, SS16 6EJTelephone
+44 (0)1268 419103Basildon
Set in a stunning nature reserve of 461 acres which comprises woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens. There are beautiful wildlife gardens and a museum of Plotland Life.
Address
Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LETelephone
+44 (0)1255 679379Walton-on-the-Naze
The Centre is open all year round and houses an education room as well as a café and gift shop. There are a number of displays including fossil and geology displays and information regarding bird migration and sightings.
Address
Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RDTelephone
01621 862960Maldon
An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a variety of habitats including Willow Carr, open water, small ponds and marshy areas, rough grassland, and willow and hawthorn scrub.
Address
Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6DFTelephone
+44 (0)1708 520364Hornchurch
Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discover Centre overlooks the fantastic marshland and reedbeds of the river and offers a vast landscape for people to explore and connect with nature in such urban surroundings.
Address
Russell Lane, Little Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4NZTelephone
01621 862960Chelmsford
The Essex Wildlife Trust manages nearly 240 acres of nature reserves on Danbury Ridge, a patchwork of woodland, common, heathland, streams, bogs and farmland
Address
Thorndon Park North, The Avenue, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3RZTelephone
01277 232944Brentwood
Home to the Gruffalo trail Thorndon has a lot to offer for all ages, glorious woodland walks and a café with a view of the trees and squirrels. The woods are open for dog walkers and the trail path is buggy friendly. Come and explore the outdoors…
Address
1 The Quay, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3HHTelephone
01728 666329Harwich
Seal Watching Trips, Harwich is a must do experience for ocean, nature lovers and wildlife bird watchers. Book a 2 hour trip on our seal watching tour boat for all ages, at sealwatching.co.uk See seals in their natural habitat on the banks of the…
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