Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbotts Hall Farm, Gt Wigborough, Colchester, Essex CO5 7RZ
Sawbridgeworth Marsh
22 acres, Owned
Grid ref: TL 493 158 (click for O/S map)
SSSI
Last updated 20/7/2008
The reserve lies in the valley of the River Stort and consists of three distinct areas: ten acres of waterlogged marsh, normally under an inch or two of water for most of the year; six acres of peaty meadow sloping up from the marsh to the eastern boundary; and a low-lying willow plantation to the south of both these areas. Most of it is in Hertfordshire and a small part in Essex, so it was acquired jointly by the Essex and Hertfordshire & Middlesex Trusts when the site became available in 1970.
It contains plants which were once quite common but are now found on only a few sites in the county, such as marsh willowherb and marsh valerian. Other uncommon plants include marsh arrow-grass, southern marsh orchid and blunt-flowered rush.
It has several open drainage ditches and two ponds rich in aquatic life, including the rare slender amber snail. The areas of sedge, reeds and tall fen vegetation provide a valuable nesting habitat for reed warbler, sedge warbler and grasshopper warbler. Other breeding birds include snipe and water rail. The reserve is rich in insect life.
The management regime is designed to encourage diversity of species. Enclosures are grazed by horses and parts of the marsh are cut on an annual or biennial basis. To prevent it from smothering smaller plants, the dead material is raked off and either burnt on permanent fire sites or gathered into permanent stacks which provide a valuable habitat for grass snakes and invertebrates. Additionally the willows which fringe the marsh are pollarded periodically.
Visiting
To the west of the unclassified road from Sawbridgeworth to Gaston Green and Little Hallingbury.There is no car park, but there are two small lay-bys on the opposite side of the road about 200 yards north of the reserve entrance. Care should be taken since the road is narrow and traffic travels at high speeds.
About 800m north-east of Sawbridgeworth station (BR Liverpool Street to Cambridge).
Accessible at all times.
Worth a visit at all times of the year but the spring and summer months are usually the most interesting.
Not suitable for wheelchair access due to the wet nature of the ground, and narrow paths and plank bridges.
Wellingtons usually necessary.