Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
Telephone: 01206 729678
Email: click here
Address: South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DN
Grid ref: TM 048 193
Winter Opening: 1st November - 31st March, 9am - 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday (Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day)
Summer Opening: 1st April - 31st October, 9am - 5pm, Open 7 days a week
NEXT EVENT: SPRING BIRDING, Saturday 19th May 10am - 4pm
Guided Birdwatching Walks will be start at from the visitor centre at 10:00hr, 11:30hr, 13:15hr and 14.30hr.
Suggested entry donation requested, No booking required
For details of all events at Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre
click here.
Advanced booking is essential for these walks and the majority of our other events
Fingringhoe Wick was Essex Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve (1961) and some years later it was where the Trust opened their first visitor centre, and fifty years on visitors are still coming to see this magical place. Set in a spectacular position overlooking the Colne Estuary the visitor centre provides stunning views even on the dullest days It offers the visitor real peace and quiet and a chance to escape from it all. The visitor centre facilities include gift shop offering light refreshments, toys, books, optics, bird feeders & feed, greeting cards and much more, Viewing tower & observation room with panoramic views. Toilets, baby changing facilities, wheel chair, hearing loop available.
Fingringhoe Wick is one of the finest nature reserves in the county, it is attractive to families, organised wildlife groups, school parties and walkers. Out on the reserve you will find a picnic area, nature trails & bird hides (some easy access) and view points with stunning estuary views. There are numerous benches located around the reserve. There is a full diary of events for both children & adults throughout the year which include a weekly toddler group.
There were 40 years of gravel extraction on the nature reserve before Essex Wildlife Trust bought it. It offers a wide range of habitats including areas of grassland, gorse heathland, reedbeds, ponds and the estuary itself. Fingringhoe Wick is famous for its Nightingales each spring. The songsters ring out over the reserve and there are usually about 25 males to be heard. Thousands of waders and wildfowl use the estuary in the winter and as many as 700 Avocets can be seen.
The nature reserve is a wildlife haven and visitors can enjoy up to 200 species of birds. Numerous dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies and up to 350 species of flowering plants have been recorded. In the spring you can see orchids, clovers, medicks and treefoils. In the summer the Sea Lavender on the saltmarsh looks spectacular.
Useful Information to plan your visit
Entry Donation
We do request a suggested donation £2 per Adult, £1 per Child, £5 per Family (2 adults & 2 children)Length of Visit
Please allow 2-3 hours for a visit to the reserve, but you are most welcome to stay much longer!!
How to find us
We are located just outside Fingringhoe Village. Some of the lanes are a little narrow and several of the locals ride their horses nearby.
Public Transport to the visitor centre & nature reserve. Please note: buses only get you to the village of Fingringhoe. The reserve is a 30-45 minute walk from the village. There is a nice walk along the Gravel Pit Trail from the bus stop to the nature reserve
Access and Facilities
Wheelchair and mobility access to selected parts of the nature reserve; wheelchair available on request; Wheelchair and mobility access to selected bird hides. Vehicle access permitted to selected areas of the reserve for blue badge holders. Adapted WC, some braile signage in the visitor centre. Large print, braile and audio "Access for All Guide" availableReserve Trails
These lead you through the various habitats woodland, scrub, heathland and past ponds and towards the estuary. Access to the beach is not permitted.
Restricted Dog Access:
Dog are permitted on site,but must be kept to the dog trail and be on a lead at all times. The dog trail is approximately 20 minutes and heads you towards the main gate. Accessible just outside the reserve entrance is the Access Fingringhoe "Gravel Pit Trail"
SEASONAL INTEREST
Spring: Nightingale, Chiff Chaff, Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Foxglove, Common Vetch and Orange Tip Butterfly and Speckled Wood
Summer: Marsh Harrier, Great crested Grebe (sometimes with young) Turtle Dove, Sand Martin, Swallow, Hobby,Common Spotted Orchid, Green Alkanet, Lesser Calamint, Common Lizard and Slow Worm
Autumn: Avocet, Turnstone, Osprey (occasionally as they pass through) Fungi include 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. The Trust reserves the right to request donations for fruit picked at the nature reserve
Winter: Brent Geese, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, Lapwing, Dunlin, Peregrine, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Shovelar, Teal, Wigeon and Red breasted Merganser
Local Tidal Information
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.
Children's Activities
Available during opening hours
Gemstone Panning £2 donation per child
Wildlife Activity Bags £5 donation per bag ....Now including the 2 in1 Family Explorers Trail
Family Explorers Trail can be purchased separately £1.50 each
We offer a wide range of organised childrens activities during the school holidays
NB: Pond dipping and crabbing are not permitted at the reserve, unless you are attending one of our organised events that is lead by a member of Trust staff
Childrens Birthday Parties
Tired of the same old parties? Have your child's birthday celebration outside with us at Fingringhoe Wick. We offer parties for all ages on a variety of themes including:
Explorers, Bushcraft, Marine Life, Pirates and COMING SOON our new exciting Tepee Parties
We ask for a donation of £7 per child (minium £70) including a leader for 1.5 hours and the use of the party room afterwards
For more information or to book your party Email our Fingringhoe Education Officer or call the visitor centre on 01206 729678
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
Observation room and Sea & Sky Obersvatory both offer fabulous views across the saltmarsh. Feeding stations are set up outside so you can relax and enjoy a hot cuppa whilst watching the wildlife.
Local Weather Information
The reserve is fairly free draining and therefore doesn't get to messy underfoot unless there has been several days of torrential rain. The wetter areas of the reserve will be found towards the northern boundary.