Belfairs
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre is a visitor, community, and education centre. It is an important gateway to the Belfairs & Daws Heath Living Landscape in south Essex, where Essex Wildlife Trust and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, together with many partners and local people, are working on conservation and education activities to preserve this fantastic landscape for future generations.
Plan your visit
Opening times
Open all year round open 7 days a week.
Winter opening hours:
10am – 4pm weekdays and 9am-4pm weekends from 3 November – 13 February
Summer opening hours:
10am – 5pm weekdays and 9-5 weekends from 15 February – 3 November
Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve 10am – 2pm
Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day
New Year’s Eve 10am – 2pm
Where to find us?
Address:
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 4LR
Telephone:
01702 477467
What3words:
///depend.table.less
Directions:
Facilities and access
Car parking and entry
Limited and disabled parking is available at the Nature Discovery Centre, but in order to help us continue our work, we suggest a donation of £5 per car. Continuous support of the Trust enables us to do amazing work for wildlife here at Belfairs and across the county. Our members are incredibly important to us and make a real difference to wildlife in Essex. You can join Essex Wildlife Trust at Belfairs or online.
There is a coach drop-off space. If you are planning to bring a group, please ensure you have pre-booked your visit.
Cafe
We serve a selection of hot items, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, toasties, children’s lunch boxes, homemade soups, and vegan chilli, as well as delicious handmade cakes—including gluten- and dairy-free options—cream teas, toasted teacakes, and seasonal homemade bakes.
The café is open daily, serving from 9.00am to 5.00pm (4.00pm during winter), with hot food served until 30 minutes before closing.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available daily.
Shop
The Nature Discovery Centre has a well-stocked shop, including binoculars, wildlife books, bird food and feeders, gifts, greeting cards, toys and games, local honey and jams, packaged snacks, and ice creams.
Accessibility
Disabled parking is available. There is a fully accessible public toilet for disabled visitors. Some walking trails are wheelchair-friendly.
Visitors with dogs
Dogs are welcome in our outdoor seating area at the Nature Discovery Centre, but, other than assistance dogs, they are not allowed inside the café or centre.
Please stay on the permitted trails in the nature reserve and keep your dog on a lead where required.
Nature Trails
Various routes around the reserve, please call in to the centre and ask for details or purchase a trail guide.
What to do
Explore
With miles of nature trails and some stunning viewpoints, the park is a great place to visit all year round.
Events and activities
At Belfairs, we run a wide range of activities, from early years groups to adult workshops, to encourage people of all ages to connect with nature.
What to see
Much of the woodland is recognised for its long, continuous history; some areas are more than 1,000 years old, making it the earliest recorded woodland in Essex. The woodlands are home to a number of historic landscape features and a wide variety of flora and fauna, including several nationally threatened species.
The dormouse, heath fritillary butterfly, and song thrush are key species here, as is the Wild Service tree, which is closely associated with older, undisturbed woodland. The woods are enjoyed by local residents and visitors for walking, cycling, horse riding, golf, and bowls. Most of the woods survive from a time when woodland was a vital economic resource. Coppicing and woodland rotation helped ensure long-term sustainability, creating a patchwork of trees of different ages, heights, densities, and species—supporting a far greater diversity of plant and animal life.
Volunteering at Belfairs
We are looking for enthusiastic people to help promote the work of Essex Wildlife Trust at Belfairs.
Types of volunteering could include: office, shop, cafe, education or work parties.
Birthday parties
We offer a variety of fabulous themed birthday parties set in beautiful outdoor locations at our Nature Discovery Centres.
Schools and colleges
We believe in nurturing a lifelong love of nature at every age and stage of life. Our Wilder Learning programme offers opportunities for children, educators, adults and families to connect with the natural world. Designed to inspire curiosity and conservation, our programs are suitable for all ages.
Funders
The project has been funded by a number of organisations and individuals and Essex Wildlife Trust would like to thank them for their support. In particular, funding has been received from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, MaxiGreen, INTERREG IVA 2Seas, Biffa Award, Cory Environmental Trust, Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust, Bernard Sunley Charitable Trust, Olympus Keymed, Network Rail and organisations associated within the Timber Trade.
