About Us

Chafford Gorges visitor centre is within walking distance of Chafford Hundred railway station.  Chafford Gorges visitor centre is set in a spectacular position overlooking Warren Gorge.  Chafford Gorges nature park offers 200 acres of green space for numerous wildlife and recreation for the 12,500 people living in Chafford Hundred.  The visitor centre offers visitors a well-stocked gift shop, optical equipment, toilets and a wonderful terrace at the back, where refreshments can be enjoyed whilst admiring the view over the Gorges.  There are regular activities for adults, children, families and schools on the site.

A network of pathways will take you around the lakes, through meadows and woodland and allow you to experience wildlife at close range.  The visitors centre provides information about the park and how you can make the most of your visit.

Although in an urban area and very close to Lakeside shopping centre there is a wealth of wildlife to be seen and enjoyed at Chafford Gorges.  A spectacular array of wild flowers can be enjoyed, including 11 species of stunning Orchids, Kidney Vetch and Bladder Campion.  The large lakes, meadows and woodland are also an ideal habitat for a wide range of animals and birds including; Great Crested Newts, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers and Sand Martins.  Reed and Cetti's Warblers sing in the reeds and Hobbies or House Martins feed over the lakes.  In winter the Gorges are visited by birds such as Siskin, Redpoll and Pochard.  Four different species of bats have been recorded and they can be seen feeding over the lakes on a warm summers evening.  The old quarry tunnels have been fitted with grilles to protect bats that are roosting inside.

Chafford Gorges is a spectacular site, a true breathing place where people can unwind from the stresses and strains of everyday life and where wildlife can continue to flourish in a very developed area.  The nature reserve  is unique, offering visitors the opportunity to experience wildlife, history and geology.  The site was a former chalk quarry and the cliffs demonstrate the history of the site.  The cliffs at the southern end contain many fossils.

 

Our history

Chafford Hundred has been quarried from the 18th century to the end of the 1950's for brick earth, gravel and chalk which was used to produce bricks, lime for mortar and whitewash and from the 1870's cement. 

The chalk was deposited 97 to 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth and Chafford Hundred would have been at the bottom of a deep, still tropical sea.  Our visitors centre provides information covering the geology, social history and wildlife of the park. This is an area of amazing geology that has been modified by quarrying over more than 200 years to create this unique landscape.

The gorges in Chafford Hundred are not natural gorges but man made chalk quarries.  One of the oldest is Grays Gorge, which dates back to 1801 when chalk was dug out for the manufacture of lime and whiting.  With the invention of Portland cement the extent of quarrying increased dramatically.  From just this part of Thurrock alone it is thought that 5 billion cubic metres of chalk have been quarried away.  Cement making ceased at Chafford Hundred in 1976 leaving a remarkable landscape of chalk cliffs.
 
 

Education

Visitor centre facilities

Include gift shop offering light refreshments, toys, books, optics, bird feeders & feed, greeting cards and much more.
Toilets, baby changing facilities, wheel chair, hearing loop available. Feeding stations are set up outside so you can relax and enjoy watching the wildlife.
 

Birthday Parties

Messy bugs birthday parties

For children under 5's 

We supply the hall and all of the materials for the craft on the day. £70.00 Donation

Activities include:Messy fun time,Arts and Crafts Play Dough,Sand and Water,Painting

Birthday Parties
For children over 5's

Our team can help you to plan a unique and unforgettable party, whatever the weather.

Want to give your child a birthday to remember then Chafford Gorges Nature Park is the place for you. 

Design your own child’s party from the great ideas below.  Please call 01375 484016 for prices

Choose one main activity from below      Then add one or two extras 

Fishing -All year round                                                                       Camouflage game
Bug hunting - From March till October                                             Parachute game
Pond dipping -From mamrch till October                                          Campfire (6yrs+)
Bird watching - All year round                                                           Beaded Jewellery
Wildlife dectectives - All year round.                                                Clay Modeling
                                                                                                            Birdfeeders
                                                                                                            Natures Pallets
                                                                                                            Scavenger Hunt