About the event

Roding Valley Meadows is celebrating 40 years as a Local Nature Reserve.

As a Local nature reserve it celebrates many important features such as a fen, flood meadows, ponds, hay meadows, veteran trees and hedgerows.

It has now spent 40 years protecting this vital habitat and supporting the many species featured such as green-veined white butterflies, meadow browns, grass snakes, buzzards, kingfishers, brown sedge, and devils-bit scabious.

Through a variety of management strategies including hay cutting, hedge-laying, cattle grazing and coppicing, the aim is to maintain and support the continued improvement of these vital features and the species they protect.

Activities include

Moth morning - 10:00-11:00
A chance to see the local moth life, a light box will be set up the night before giving an opportunity to see and learn about our local night wildlife. Suitable for: adults and families (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Morning walk - 11:30-12:30
A guided walk of the meadows following the historic ‘concrete track’. Featuring a talk about the management, wildlife (such as butterflies, hedgerows and flora) and site history. Walk distance: 1.5m. Suitable for: adults and families (children must be accompanied by an adult) please enquire about accessibility options.

Afternoon walk - 14:00-16:00
A guided walk of the meadows showcasing it’s main features such as the meadows, green lane, fen and hedgerows. Featuring a talk about the management, wildlife, fen and site history. Walk distance: 3.5m. Suitable for: adults and families (children must be accompanied by an adult) please enquire about accessibility options). Not suitable for wheelchairs due to steps.

Pond dipping - 16:30
Pond dipping at the Chigwell Meadow. Learn about the wildlife found in out local waterways and ponds. Walk distance: 200 meters. Suitable for: Adults and families (children must be accompanied by an adult)

All activities are free. Advance booking essential.

Activities meeting point: Grange Farm Centre car park, High Road, Chigwell, IG7 6DP