Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity. With more than 34,000 members, it manages and protects over 8,200 acres of land on 87 nature reserves and 2 nature parks. There are 11 visitor centres details of which can be found on the website. The idea of Essex Wildlife Trust is to offer Protection to Wildlife in Essex.
The Trust is supported by members, local businesses and grant making organisations. It is one of the largest of the 47 county wildlife trusts that work together throughout the British Isles as The Wildlife Trusts.Established in 1959 it has grown from strength to strength, always striving to protect wildlife for the future and for the people of Essex.
Visitors can enjoy walks on Essex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve with stunning panoramic views across the reservoir and surrounding villages as well as superb views of the water’s edge from three bird hides. The nature reserve has a 900m accessible circular footpath and there are wheelchairs available for use. The Visitor Centre offers a tearoom which is open seven days a week providing a variety of hot and cold food, most of which is locally sourced easy access toilets & baby changing facilities and a well-stocked shop which has binoculars, telescopes, bird food, feeders and a range of gifts. Essex Wildlife Trust runs a programme of events throughout the year for all ages as well as children’s outdoor birthday parties and a weekly toddler group available during term time booking is required for all of our events. On the nature reserve there is a new Brambly Hedge sculpture trail, where you can find seven characters from the classic stories written by Jill Barklem there is also a wild play area with a zip wire, v bridge, swings and spiderweb net. Essex Wildlife Trust is a charity and relies on donations to carry out its work for the wildlife and people of Essex. There is suggested entry donation of GBP2 for Adults GBP1 for children and GBP5 Family car parking is free. The huge expanse of Essex & Suffolk Water’s Abberton Reservoir plays host to some 40,000 wetland birds each year all attracted to the shallow muddy margins and large areas of rough grassland, which provide the ultimate habitat for a plethora of wildlife and waterfowl. The Visitor Centre is 6 miles SW of Colchester on the B1026 (a minor road linking Colchester and Maldon) just South of Layer de la Haye – follow the brown and white “Abberton Reservoir visitor centre” signs.
Essex Wildlife Trust
Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us for further information on any of our services or you can simply come down and visit us – we would love to meet you! Or you can visit our social media pages to hear about our latest adventures, animal encounters and news:
Call us today on: 01206 738 172
Email us on: abberton@essexwt.org.uk
Visit our website: www.essexwt.org.uk
Facebook: @essexwildlifetrust
Twitter: @EssexWildlife
YouTube: @Essex Wildlife Trust
Flickr: @Essex Wildlife Trust Photography
