We are proud to provide a sustainable, affordable, clean and safe water supply and to manage and treat the waste water returned to us in a way that protects the environment.
Address:
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre, Hawkswood Rd, Downham, Billericay, Essex.
Opening times:
9am – 5pm everyday except Christmas day and Boxing day.
Grid ref:
TQ725 972.
Facilities:
Carpark, Visitors centre, shop, disabled access to one birdhide.
Highlights:
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor centre is set in a 100-acre woodland reserve and managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. The reserve has something to offer no matter what time of year you visit thanks to the diverse mosaic of habitats.
There are a number of different length walks for you to choose from at Hanningfield from a few meters to a couple of kilometres. Very worthwhile is the walk from the visitors centre through the different parts of the reserve to the Fishing Lodge where you can reward yourself with a treat from the restaurant and café overlooking the water.
To follow this route exit the centre through the back doors towards the first bird hide – Lyster Hide. This has wheelchair access and allows you to view the southern part of the Reservoir.
Continuing on, cross a small bridge and turn right. The relic hedge and ditch you follow is home to the uncommon Harts Tongue Fern. Next you will enter a grassy glade, approach slowly and watch out for Muntjac deer. Continue straight on crossing a bridge and passing a pond, this is a good spot for butterflies and dragonflies.
You now have the option to visit Rawl hide, join the Peninsula wood trail or continue right along the edge of the meadow towards the fishing lodge.
Other wildlife commonly spotted at the reserve includes Green Woodpeckers, Wood ants and reptiles such as Common Lizards. Under the trees you will be treated to carpets of bluebells in spring through to shows of fungi in autumn and there is always a myriad of water birds to spot from the hides.
Address:
Track off Crowsheath Lane, Dowham, Billericay, Essex.
Opening times:
Access to site at all times but car park only open during daylight hours (check signs).
Grid ref:
TQ 722968.
Facilities:
Car park (locked at night).
Highlights:
Crowsheath community woodland is actually a diverse mixture of grass meadows and young woodland covering 30ha. Bisected by numerous footpaths the access has recently been improved by the addition of new styles and bridges across the stream and ditches. Being within walking distance of the Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor’s Centre and also accessible via footpaths from Downham and Ramsden Heath villages, the site is popular especially with dog walkers. There is even a designated ‘dog dip’ area in the wildlife pond. Crowsheath is managed in partnership with the Essex Wildlife Trust and is home to Barn Owls, Kestrels, Dormice and Water Voles.
From the car park, follow the grassy footpath through a section of mature trees and then a wooden gate. Now the stream is down on your right. There are three crossing points, one here, one halfway up and one at the top of the site. If you don’t cross until the top of the site you will pass grassland meadows divided by mature hedge lines and then discover the wildlife pond ahead of you on the opposite side of the stream. You can then continue along the opposite side of the stream until you have completed the loop. During your visit keep an eye out for dragonflies around the pond and birds of prey hunting over the long grass.
Address:
Abberton Reservoir Visitors Centre, Wigborough road, Layer De La Haye, Essex.
Opening times:
9am – 5pm every day except Mondays, Christmas and boxing days.
Grid reference:
TL963 185.
Facilities:
Carpark, Visitors centre, shop, disabled access to two birdhides, dog exercise area and dipping pond.
Highlights:
Abberton reservoir nature reserve is a 4 hectare reserve located in a sheltered bay of the reservoir. Essex Wildlife Trust manages the reserve with the support of ESW. Three bird hides are located on the reserve, two of which overlook the tern rafts moored in the reservoir bay. The reserve boasts a large pond which attracts breeding Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen and other waterfowl in spring.
There is also access to a peninsula trail along which there are two further hides. The trail is approximately 2 km long and gives views of grassland where Wigeon graze in winter and passes woodland which is home to Yellow Wagtails amongst other breeding birds.
With its valuable hedges, thickets, and ponds this reserve offers great wildlife encounters to visitors at any time of year.
Ormesby, Rollesby, Lily, Ormesby Little and Filby Broads, collectively known as the Trinity Broads, are situated north-west of Caister-upon-Sea in Norfolk. Due to the good water quality and low levels of disturbance these Broads are particularly important for wildlife.
The Broads are fringed with reed-beds with alder and oak woodland behind. As the Trinities are isolated from the main river system only small boats have access to these Broads; only electric motors are allowed in order to preserve the peace and tranquillity as well as to protect the water quality.
| Facilities: |
Filby Bridge (A1064) - here you can find a car park (open during daylight hours), a walkway over Filby Broad, a fishing platform with disabled access, and a boardwalk to a birdhide which is also wheelchair accessible. The Filby Bridge Restaurant is adjacent to the car park and just off the A149 is the Eels Foot Inn both of which provide food and good views across the Broad. Both of these venues hire out rowing boats for rowing and fishing. Rollesby Bridge (A149) - The car park is open during daylight hours and allows access to the disabled fishing platforms on the edge of Rollesby Broad. |
|---|
Further information can be found at www.broads-authority.gov.uk or see the local Broadcaster magazine for local events.