Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park

Fingringhoe Wick was Essex Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve (1961), some years later it was where the Trust opened their first visitor centre. Sixty years on visitors are still coming to see this magical place. Set in a spectacular position overlooking the Colne Estuary the reserve offers a sense of real peace and quiet and a chance to escape from it all.

Location

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park
South Green Road Fingringhoe
Colchester
Essex
CO5 7DN
A static map of Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park

Know before you go

Size
80 hectares
P

Parking information

Free on site parking

Bicycle parking

Yes - please note cycling is not permitted around the reserve

Grazing animals

Goats grazing from March-June and in November.
Sheep grazing from July-November.

Walking trails

The reserve trails lead you through the various habitats woodland, scrub, heathland and past ponds and towards the estuary. Access to the beach is not permitted.

Due to the presence of adders on site, please stick to the paths and wear suitable footwear.

Please note cycling is not permitted around the reserve

Access

To assist with access onto the reserve you can borrow a wheelchair, drive to a certain area to take you a little further into the reserve.  Through a very kind donation we also have an All-Terrain Mobility Scooter, that can be borrowed, that will access many far reaches of the reserve that are not limited by step access.  There are numerous benches around the reserve.

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Please note dogs are not permitted in the Nature Discovery Centres. 

Only assistance dogs are allowed. 

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Facilities

Visitor centre
Bird hides
Toilets
Shop
Cafe/refreshments
Picnic area
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Wifi

When to visit

Opening times

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Centre is open 7 days a week.

Winter opening hours:
10am – 4pm, 1 November – 10 February.

Summer opening hours:
10am – 5pm, 11 February – 31 October.

Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve 10am – 2pm, Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve 10am – 2pm.

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Fingringhoe Wick has a long history, with evidence of Roman occupation.  For many years the area was farmed before being sold for sand and gravel extraction.  From the early 1900’s to the end of the 1950s the site as a busy industrial area, mining the sand and gravel to be taken by river to London.  You can still see evidence of this industrial past around the reserve.

When Essex Wildlife Trust bought the site, it was a barren lunar landscape and some very dedicated people set about changing and developing it into the wonderful mosaic of different habitats we see today: grassland, gorse heathland, reedbeds, ponds, meadows, scrub.

The nature reserve is now a SSSI (Site Special Scientific Interest), a wildlife haven of over 200 acres (80 hectares) hosting up to 200 species of birds, 27 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 24 species of butterfly, 350 species of flowering plants, as well as Adders, Badgers and many other animals.

Fingringhoe Wick is one of the finest nature reserves in the county with something for everyone at all times of year from families, organised wildlife groups, expert birdwatches to enthusiastic beginners, school parties and walkers.

Contact us

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Special Protection Areas (SPA)

Site map

Click to enlarge or download

Fingringhoe is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year

Spring sees the Adders emerge from hibernation and the return of many migrant birds, Fingringhoe Wick is known for its Nightingales each spring.  Approx 1% (30-40 pairs) of the total UK population breed on the reserve before heading back to Africa for the winter.  These amazing songsters can be heard across the reserve, alongside Chiff Chaff, Whitethroat, Cuckoo.  Plants: Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Foxglove, Common Vetch and Orange Tip and Speckled Wood butterflies.

In the summer the Sea Lavender on the saltmarsh looks spectacular, with Marsh Harrier, Turtle Dove, Sand Martin, Swallow, Hobby above.  Common Lizards, Slow Worm and Grass Snake can all be seen, plants include  Common Spotted Orchid, Green Alkanet, Lesser Calamint.

In autumn you may see: Avocet, Turnstone, and many fungi like Fly Agaric, Parasol Mushroom, Milk Caps, Shaggy Ink Caps and Puff Ball.

During the autumn "Berry Feast" we appreciate if visitors don't pick the fruits, we’d like to leave them for the birds and animals that will need them.

In winter thousands of waders and wildfowl use the estuary where as many as 700 Avocets can be seen, alongside Brent Geese, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, Lapwing, Dunlin, Peregrine, Merlin, Shovelar, Teal, Wigeon and Red Breasted Merganser.

Birdwatching from the hides

The best views of the estuary birds are during the autumn and winter months. We recommend the two hours either side of the high tide provides visitors with the best views of the waders.

Children Campfire Cooking Fingringhoe

Whats On

We offer a full diary of events for both children & adults throughout the year.  We also host school visits, birthday parties and a weekly under 5’s Nature Tots group.

See all events
Woodland Themed Range

Shop

The visitor centre includes gift shop offering nature and natural themed toys, gifts, books, optics and bird feeders & feed.