The Naze
The Nature Discovery Centre in Tendring was built in 2016, funded by the Coastal Communities Fund and project partners Tendring District Council and the Naze Management Board. The centre includes a café, shop, education room for school visits, and a meeting room, making it an ideal destination for seaside days out in Essex. Visitors can also enjoy nature and fossil hunting walks from the centre through the public open space at the Naze and towards the John Western Nature Reserve, perfect if you are looking to get away from it all and enjoy the peace and beauty of the coastline.
The Naze is a unique coastal landscape of outstanding geological, historic, civic, and biological importance. The eastern side of the peninsula is home to its famous cliffs, which are around fifty million years old and designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), attracting fossil hunters and geologists from across the country. As the most easterly peninsula in Essex, the Naze is also an important location for migrating birds and supports a diverse range of habitats, both on land and along the coast.
Plan your visit
Opening times
Open all year round open 7 days a week.
Winter opening hours:
10am – 4pm, 3 November – 15 February
Summer opening hours:
9:30am – 4:30pm, 16 February – 1 November
Where to find us?
Address:
The Naze Nature Discovery Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE
Telephone:
01255 679379
What3words:
///honest.rainy.standards
Directions:
Facilities and access
Car parking and entry
There is a spacious pay and display car park just outside the centre run by Tendring District Council.
Tendring District Council car parking charges: 1 Hour - £1.50 Up to 2 Hours - £2.20 4 Hours - £4.00 All Day - £5.00, Tendring Residents Naze/Holland Haven permit - £30.00. Tendring Householder permit not valid.
There is a drop off point for coaches but no parking without prior consent given by the Tendring District Council. Coach parking can also be found at Bath House Meadow, Walton-on-the-Naze.
Continuous support of the Trust enables us to do amazing work for wildlife here at The Naze 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 The Naze or online.
Cafe
At The Naze Café, we provide a range of snacks and lunch items, from tasty sandwiches to delicious cakes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during their visit. The Nature Discovery Centre offers indoor seating with stunning open views across The Naze peninsula and beyond to Suffolk, where you can relax and watch the local wildlife. Outdoor seating and picnic tables are available on our dog-friendly patio.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available daily.
Shop
The Naze stocks a wide variety of souvenirs and gifts including fossils and gemstones, adult and children's books, wildlife care, toys, homeware and fashion. Why not treat yourself or a loved one to locally sourced honey or explore the coast with one of our fossil collecting guides?
Accessibility
Blue Badge holders may park for up to 3 hours free of charge. There are fully accessible public toilets both inside and outside the centre. All indoor spaces are wheelchair accessible. Please note that accessible access around the public space and down to the beach is limited due to uneven ground and stairs.
Visitors with dogs
Dogs are welcome at all of our outdoor seating located at the Nature Discovery Centre. Assistance dogs only are allowed inside the café and centre.
Dogs can be walked directly around The Naze straight outside of the center, along the beach and at our John Weston Nature Reserve.
Please stick to the designated footpaths and keep dogs on leads where required. Pay attention to the seasonal dog walking rules designated by the Tendring District Council along the costal paths.
Nature Trails
Geowalk
A 2-mile circular trail that explores the incredible geological history of the area and leads down onto the beach. The shore is full of geological gems; at low tide you can search for shark teeth and other fossils, or explore the rockpools to find coastal critters. Trail guides, including information about our local geology, are available in the Nature Discovery Centre for a 50p donation.
Walking Trails
There are various routes around the reserve, including a coastal path and direct access to the cliffside beach. The protected backwaters and local wildlife can be viewed from several areas around the reserve. Please call in at the centre to ask for details or to purchase a trail guide.
Site map
Emily
What to do
Discover
There is always something new and exciting to find at The Naze, making it a fantastic destination for fossil hunting in Essex. As well as its naturally beautiful coastal landscape to explore, the local nature reserve is home to a variety of habitats and wildlife,
Explore
The Naze is a great place to visit all year round for both nature lovers and fossil hunters, set within one of the most important geological sites in Essex, known for its 50 million year old cliffs. This fascinating landscape is also recognised as a historical site in Essex, with a rich heritage shaped by its coastal location. During World War II, The Naze played an important role in the area’s military history, with coastal defences and wartime structures forming part of its story. Beautiful coastal views stretch across the estuary and out to sea, while the area’s unique geology is revealed through constantly changing cliffs and exposed layers shaped by erosion.
Events and activities
If you're looking for things to do near Colchester, we offer a varied programme of outdoor activities, including wildlife events, adult courses, children's activities, school holiday events, educational school and group visits. Our events give visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore nature, discover wildlife, and enjoy unforgettable outdoor experience in Essex.
What to see
The land at The Naze is a special and important place for many reasons, and it is a fantastic destination for birdwatching in Essex. Wildlife thrives here, from insects living in the soft cliffs to the familiar barn owl hunting over the grasslands. The area forms the gateway into Hamford Water National Nature Reserve, an internationally important site due to the number of wildfowl and waders it supports, and it is also a sanctuary for migrating and nesting birds.
Marine wildlife in Essex is particularly impressive at The Naze, where a wide variety of coastal species can be discovered throughout the year. Harbour porpoises can be spotted out at sea, while common and grey seals are found in the Backwaters. The beach and mud pools are home to a whole host of species to discover, including crabs, scallops, and whelks.
The John Weston Nature Reserve is located in the northern part of The Naze. This nine acre reserve is dedicated to the leading Essex naturalist John Weston, who was warden of the reserve until his death in 1984. It is an important landfall for migrant birds, including many rarities, and also attracts a variety of winter visitors.
The eastern side of the peninsula forms the famous cliffs, which are fifty million years old and designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The 70 foot high cliffs are made up of London Clay, Red Crag, and Thames Sands and Gravels, and fossilised shark teeth, shells, and wood are found on the beach daily. It is a site where coastal change can be observed and clearly understood. The cliffs are eroding at an average rate of 1–2 metres per year. The section of cliff directly in front of the iconic Naze Tower was, however, protected in 2011 with the construction of the ‘Crag Walk Platform’, a 100-metre public access and viewing platform. Essex Wildlife Trust was a key partner in the project to protect this section of cliff.
Volunteering at The Naze
We are looking for enthusiastic people to help promote the work of Essex Wildlife Trust at The Naze.
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.
Venue hire
The Naze Nature Discovery Centre provides a flexible space for meetings, workshops, and small events. The room includes tables, chairs, WiFi, and an HD screen with HDMI connectivity, and can be configured in theatre or table layouts, making it suitable for small group sessions and workshops.
