Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Gt Wigborough, Colchester, Essex CO5 7RZ
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Telephone: 01268 711001
Email: click here
Address: Hawkswood Road , Downham, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1WT
Grid ref: TQ 725 971 (click for O/S map)
The Visitor Centre is set in mature woodland overlooking the Hanningfield Reservoir and is the ideal place to start and finish your walk. The centre has full disabled access as does the Lyster Bird hide that is a short distance away. There are lots of gifts in the centre shop and a full range of binoculars and telescopes as well as books and refreshments. So while you're enjoying a nice warming drink you can take time to enjoy the stunning view over the water and browse the displays. Turn off the B1007 (Billericay - Chelmsford) on to Downham Road and turn left on to Hawkswood Road. The Visitor Centre entrance is just beyond the causeway opposite Crowsheath Lane. Or take the Wickford - Chelmsford bus to Downham village and walk 800m down Crowsheath Lane. Open daily. 01268 711001
For more about the nature reserve click here
Open: 7 days a week 9am - 5pm.
Dogs and cycles are not permitted on the reserve. No water sports allowed on reservoir. Wild Nights Out 10 Wild Nights Out will run during the summer months. Dates will be released early 2008. Enjoy a whole night devoted to wildlife (7pm 9am). All meals, tents, expertise and wildlife equipment provided. Activities include bat detecting, nocturnal pond dipping, small mammal surveys and much more! £30 per person. Call 01268 711001
Booking essential for all except free events: phone 01268 711001
Sun 27 Jul 10am - 4pm Our Native Trees
Native woodlands and the way they have been managed are an often overlooked aspect of our history. The course will begin with an introduction to and history of native woodlands, looking at what defines a native tree and moving on to the state of our woodlands in the present day. It will focus on trees that are likely to be found in the woodlands and hedgerows of Essex and will explain how we identify trees using a combination of clues such as leaves, buds, bark, tree height and location. Simple identification keys will also be discussed. The course is aimed at those with little or no experience of native tree identification but should also appeal to those with some knowledge of the subject. This course needs to be booked through Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862 960. A donation of £30 is requested
Donation: £
Mon 28 Jul 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Tue 29 Jul 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Incredible Insects
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8 per child
Wed 30 Jul 10am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Thu 31 Jul 10.30 am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Watery Wonderland
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8 per child
Sat 2 Aug to Sun 3 Aug 7pm - 9am Wild Night Out
Enjoy a whole night devoted to wildlife! Sleep under canvas and cook on a campfire, while enjoying a whole range of wildlife activities including bat detecting, torch light newt surveys, small mammal catching, night walk and more! All food, equipment and expertise provided.
Donation: £30
Mon 4 Aug 10am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Mon 4 Aug 10am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Tue 5 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Wed 6 Aug 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Underwater Pretty Uglies
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Wed 6 Aug 10.00 - 12.30pm Introduction to Birds
Join David Petts for an enjoyable introduction to birdwatching. Learn to recognise and identify bird song, their calls and alarms, while walking through the reserve. Refreshments included.
Donation: £7
Wed 6 Aug 7.30 - 9.30pm Owl Evening
Once again the owls visit Hanningfield, come and see and find out about these fascinating creatures.
Donation: £7 adults, £4 children
Thu 7 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Fri 8 Aug 10.30 am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Devioud Disguises
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Sat 9 Aug to Sun 10 Aug 7pm - 9am Wild Night Out
Enjoy a whole night devoted to wildlife! Sleep under canvas and cook on a campfire, while enjoying a whole range of wildlife activities including bat detecting, torch light newt surveys, small mammal catching, night walk and more! All food, equipment and expertise provided.
Donation: £30
Sun 10 Aug 10.00am - 2.30pm Digital Macro Photography
You will be guided through the most common terms encountered in the world of digital macro photography, along with examples of techniques used. Later, you will be taken out on the Nature Reserve to capture your own macro images of insects and flowers and then you will be shown how to edit them using software.
Donation: £15
Mon 11 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Tue 12 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Wed 13 Aug 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Sounds Dreadful! - natural sounds
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Thu 14 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Fri 15 Aug 7.30 - 9.30 pm Family Bat Evening
Find out more about these fascinating creatures of the night. Take a walk with bat detectors on the nature reserve and make a batty craft. Don't forget your torch!
Donation: £5 per person
Fri 15 Aug 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Batty About Bats!
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Sat 16 Aug to Sun 17 Aug 7pm - 9am Wild Night Out
Enjoy a whole night devoted to wildlife! Sleep under canvas and cook on a campfire, while enjoying a whole range of wildlife activities including bat detecting, torch light newt surveys, small mammal catching, night walk and more! All food, equipment and expertise provided.
Donation: £30
Sat 16 Aug 11.00am - 4.00pm Optics Day
Wildlife expert and bird enthusiast Kris Miners will be on hand to give you the advice you need to choose the ideal optics for you.
Free event
Mon 18 Aug 10am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Tue 19 Aug 10am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Wed 20 Aug 10.30 am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Wierd Worms and Ugly Bugs!
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Thu 21 Aug 10 am - 11.30 am Caterpillar Club for Pre School Children
Bring along your little caterpillars (pre school age) for a fun morning on the nature reserve. Stories, games, wildlife activties and much more. Bring suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Indoor area will also be used. From March 2008. Caterpillar club is same time every 3rd Thursady of the month. Booking Essential.
Donation: £5 per child (babies free)
Thu 21 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Thu 21 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Fri 22 Aug 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Forest Skills and Shelter Building
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Sat 23 Aug 7.45- 8.45pm Bat Maternity Roost Count
Hanningfield Visitor Centre plays host to 400 soprano pipistrelle bats (females and young). Come along and watch the bats emerge from the centre roost one by one. These counts are a valuable part of bat surveys and this event is run inpartnership with The Essex Bat Group. No need to book.
Donation: £2
Sun 24 Aug 5.00pm - 9.00pm Bushcraft Course
Bushcraft is essentially the knowledge of how our natural environment works and the skills we can employ to live with nature and adapt to the changing seasons. On this course you will be guided through a selection of different aspects of bushcraft such as wildfood, natural tinder, cordage making, fire building and how to harness other natural resources to help us survive.
Donation: £12
Mon 25 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Tue 26 Aug 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Wed 27 Aug 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Nice and Nasty Nature
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Thu 28 Aug 10am-3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Fri 29 Aug 7.30-9.30pm Family Bat Evening
Find out more about these fascinating creatures of the night. Take a walk with bat detectors on the nature reserve and make a batty craft. Don't forget your torch!
Donation: £5 per person
Fri 29 Aug 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Creepy crawlies and savage spiders!
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Sun 31 Aug 10.00am - 4.00pm Family Fun Day
Our annual event for all the family to enjoy. Includes wildlife activities out on the reserve. stalls, games, owl display and back due to popular demand Essex and Suffolk Water are running Dragon Boat Racing on the reservoir.
Donation: £2 per adult, £5 per family, Members free
Sat 6 Sep to Sun 7 Sep 7pm - 9 am Wild Night Out
Enjoy a whole night devoted to wildlife! Sleep under canvas and cook on a campfire, while enjoying a whole range of wildlife activities including bat detecting, torch light newt surveys, small mammal catching, night walk and more! All food, equipment and expertise provided.
Donation: £30
Sat 6 Sep 10 am - 4 pm The plants and trees that feed and serve us
Join wild food and bushcraft instructor Kris Miners on a course that will delve into the depths of our past to reveal how our native, and not so native plants and trees have been used for centuries to feed and serve us. A donation of £30 is requested.
Free event
Sat 13 Sep 11.00 - 4.00pm Second Hand Book Sale
Come and browse through our stalls of second hand books in the Visitor Centre
Free event
Thu 18 Sep 10 am - 11.30 am Caterpillar Club for Pre School Children
Bring along your little caterpillars (pre school age) for a fun morning on the nature reserve. Stories, games, wildlife activties and much more. Bring suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Indoor area will also be used. From March 2008. Caterpillar club is same time every 3rd Thursady of the month. Booking Essential.
Donation: £5 per child (babies free)
Sun 21 Sep 10 am - 4 pm Trees in the Landscape
Using Hanningfield Nature Reserve and the surrounding area as an example, this course will look at how management by humans and the changing needs of society have affected the appearance of the landscape to give us the countryside that we see today. We will look at native and non-native trees and explain how they got there and the reasons why. There will be some discussion of tree identification but we will also look at old maps and documents to explore the historical context. This course is aimed at those who are interested in trees and their place in the countryside and have little or no prior knowledge of the subject. A donation of £30 is requested. Please book by telephoning Abbotts Hall Farm reception on 01621 862960.
Free event
Fri 26 Sep 5.00pm - 9.00pm Bushcraft
Bushcraft is essentially the knowledge of how our natural environment works and the skills we can employ to live with nature and adapt to the changing seasons. On this course you will be guided through a selection of different aspects of bushcraft such as wildfood, natural shelters, water purification, fire building and how to harness natural resources to help us survive.
Donation: £12
Sat 27 Sep 10.00am - 12.30pm Introduction to Birds
Join David Petts for an enjoyable introduction to bird watching. Learn to recognise and identify bird song, their calls and alarms, while walking through the 10 acre nature reserve. Refreshments included.
Donation: £7
Sat 4 Oct 1.00pm - 4.00pm Poetry Workshop
WILD WORDS Let your creative instincts take a walk on the wildside. 2006 BBC Wildlife Poet of the Year, Derek Adams will be running a poetry workshop at the Visitor Centre. Join Derek and reserve warden, Bill Godsafe on a guided walk, then turn your wild experiences into a poem. A fantastic opportunity to come along and write poetry with an experienced poet. Bring a notebook and pen. Refreshments provided. An Essex Wildlife Trust / Essex Poetry Festival event
Donation: £7
Sun 5 Oct 10.00am - 2.30pm Beginners Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography
Kris Miners will lead you in exploring the world of Digital Photography, helping to make clear the technical terms and methods employed. You will be shown examples of different techniques and later put these newly gained skills to use on the 100 acre nature reserve. You will see and learn about wildlife of the nature reserve as we walk around the site. For this course you will need to bring along a digital camera. Previous experience is not necessary. Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee provided.
Donation: £15
Sat 11 Oct 2.00pm - 4.00pm Autumn Amble
Join Kris Miners for a stroll around the reserve to see all the wonderful autumn colours.
Donation: £5
Sun 12 Oct 10.00am - 1.00pm Wildfood
Kris Miners will teach you some of our forgotten past by providing you with knowledge of our edible and poisonous plants and trees which have been used for centuries by our ancestors.
Donation: £9
Thu 16 Oct 10 am - 11.30 am Caterpillar Club for Pre School Children
Bring along your little caterpillars (pre school age) for a fun morning on the nature reserve. Stories, games, wildlife activties and much more. Bring suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Indoor area will also be used. From March 2008. Caterpillar club is same time every 3rd Thursady of the month. Booking Essential.
Donation: £5 (babies free)
Sun 19 Oct 10.00am - 12.30pm Introduction to Birds
Join David Petts for an enjoyable introduction to bird watching. Learn to recognise and identify bird song, their calls and alarms, while walking through the 10 acre nature reserve. Refreshments included.
Donation: £7
Tue 28 Oct 10am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Wed 29 Oct 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Slimey Snails and Ugly Slugs!
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Wed 29 Oct 7.30pm - 9.30pm Owl Evening
Another 'Owlwise' evening run by Phil Eckett. Come and find out about owls and see them in the Visitor Centre. Booking essential.
Donation: £7 adults, £4 children
Thu 30 Oct 10 am - 3pm Green Bunch
Join other like minded young people aged 11-16 take part in a range practical conservation tasks and wildlife activties on the nature reserve. Booking essential
Free event
Fri 31 Oct 10.30am - 3pm Wildlife Discovery Day: Snarls, Growls and Howls!
A day full of themed wildlife fun, games, activties and crafts. Suitable for 8 + year olds. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring along a packed lunch. Booking essential. 6 and 7 year olds welcome with an adult.
Donation: £8
Sat 1 Nov 6pm - 8pm Nocturnal Nasties - Halloween
A spooky night in the woods. Dress up for halloween. Enjoy games, crafts, a night walk and camp fire on the nature reserve. Booking essential.
Donation: £5 per person
Sun 2 Nov 10.00am - 1.00pm Plants, trees and their hidden uses
Join Kris Miners for an informative walk around Hanningfield Nature Reserve. On the way you will learn about the hidden uses and the folklore of our wild plants and trees. Refreshments provided.
Donation: £7
Thu 20 Nov 10 am - 11.30 am Caterpillar Club for Pre School Children
Bring along your little caterpillars (pre school age) for a fun morning on the nature reserve. Stories, games, wildlife activties and much more. Bring suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Indoor area will also be used. From March 2008. Caterpillar club is same time every 3rd Thursady of the month. Booking Essential.
Donation: £5 (babies free)
Sun 23 Nov 12.00 - 4.00pm Christmas Craft Fair
Lots of Christmas gift ideas will be for sale at this annual event.
Free event
Sun 7 Dec 10.00am - 2.30pm Beginners Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography
Kris Miners will lead you in exploring the world of Digital Photography, helping to make clear the technical terms and methods employed. You will be shown examples of different techniques and later put these newly gained skills to use on the 100 acre nature reserve. You will see and learn about wildlife of the nature reserve as we walk around the site. For this course you will need to bring along a digital camera. Previous experience is not necessary. Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee provided.
Donation: £15
Sat 13 Dec 2pm- 4pm Santa in the Woods
Follow our Christmas trail around the woods and take part in wildlife activties and crafts along the way. Complete your adventure with a visit to Father Christmas. Includes a xmas gift.
Donation: £6 per child
Sat 13 Dec 11.00am - 4.00pm Optics Day
Come and look at our range of binoculars, telescopes, eyepieces, tripods and accessories. Wildlife expert Kris Miners will be on hand to give you the advice you need to choose the ideal optics for you.
Free event
Thu 18 Dec 10 am - 11.30 am Caterpillar Club for Pre School Children
Bring along your little caterpillars (pre school age) for a fun morning on the nature reserve. Stories, games, wildlife activties and much more. Bring suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Indoor area will also be used. From March 2008. Caterpillar club is same time every 3rd Thursady of the month. Booking Essential.
Donation: £5 (babies free)