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    Common carder bumblebee - Wildnet / Nick Upton

    Common carder bumblebee - Wildnet / Nick Upton

    We are the county’s leading conservation charity, committed  to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. We manage nature reserves and discovery parks across the county,  providing outstanding outdoor education and preserving places of wonder.

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    Essex Wildlife Trust manages and protects over 8,400 acres of land on 87 nature reserves and run 11 Nature Discovery Centres. 

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    Harvest Mouse

    Photo: Vaughn Matthews

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    Common blue damselfly - Les Binns / Wildnet

    Common blue damselfly - Les Binns / Wildnet

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  2. Nature Reserves

Nature Discovery Centres and Nature Reserves

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Abbotts Hall Farm

Abbotts Hall Farm

A 700 acre coastal farm and the head office of Essex Wildlife Trust situated on the Blackwater Estuary. Visitors can see the success of the coastal realignment project and enjoy a fantastic,…

  • Birdwatching
  • Getting away from it all
  • Historical interest
  • Overwintering birds
  • Stunning views
Aubrey Buxton Autumn

Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve

Visit a beautifully wild nature reserve with its woodlands, ponds and species rich grasslands, filled with amazing wildlife

  • Ancient trees
  • Birdwatching
  • Butterflies
  • Fungi
  • Historical interest
Gernon Bushes nature reserve

Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve

Step straight in to a fairy tale with this beautiful ancient woodland, filled with rare and fascinating marsh plants and flowers

  • Ancient trees
  • Exploring woods
  • Historical interest
Sunset Gunners Andrew Armstrong

Gunners Park and Shoebury Ranges Nature Reserve

A reserve that heralds a large amount of history and is a fantastic place to witness the wonder of bird migration

  • Big skies
  • Birdwatching
  • Historical interest
  • Stunning views
  • Wheelchair friendly
Ingrebourne visitor centre

Ingrebourne Nature Discovery Centre

Essex Wildlife Trust's Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery Centre is a partnership project between Essex Wildlife Trust and Havering Council. Built in Hornchurch Country Park, the centre…

  • A family day out
  • Dog walking
  • Drinks and food
  • Getting away from it all
  • Historical interest
Langdon Grassland

Langdon Nature Discovery Park

We are in the process of making some major long-term improvements to our much loved Langdon site, including a new, more sustainable Nature Discovery Centre with enhanced facilities, generously…

  • A family day out
  • Birdwatching
  • Butterflies
  • Dog walking
  • Historical interest
Maldon Wick

Maldon Wick Nature Reserve

Take a stroll and admire the butteflies along the former Maldon-Woodham Ferrers railway line

  • A romantic stroll
  • Butterflies
  • Historical interest
  • Insect spotting
  • Wildflowers
Ray Island

Ray Island Nature Reserve

This atmospheric island surrounded by beautiful and mysterious saltmarsh is not only home to an array of amazing wildlife like Short-eared Owls, it's provided the inspiration and setting to a…

  • Big skies
  • Getting away from it all
  • Historical interest
  • Tranquil waters
Stow Maries Halt glade

Stow Maries Halt Nature Reserve

Once a railway stop on the Maldon-South Woodham Ferrers line, the disused remains have been claimed back by nature

  • Autumn colour
  • Historical interest
  • Insect spotting
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park

Thameside Nature Discovery Park

A stunning and innovative visitor centre built on a former landfill site, with superb views over Mucking Flats SSSI and the Thames Estuary (SPA). Footpaths and cycle ways in 120 acres of nature…

  • A family day out
  • Birdwatching
  • Butterflies
  • Getting away from it all
  • Historical interest
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Love Essex - Love Wildlife

Essex Wildlife Trust Headquarters, Abbotts Hall Farm, Maldon Road, Great Wigborough, Colchester, CO5 7RZ
Registered Charity Number 210065    VAT Registered 945 7459 77    Company Number 00638666