This 100 acre nature reserve of mixed woodland managed by Essex Wildlife Trust is adjacent to the 870 acre Hanningfield Reservoir which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is the ideal site to see a wide variety of both woodland and wetland species.
All Year
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Gadwall
Shoveler
Shellduck
Marsh Harrier
Sparrowhawk
Peregrine
Snipe
Redshank
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Kingfisher
Reed Bunting
Long-tailed Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Spring
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Nightingale
Ruff
Common Sandpiper
Common Swift
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Common Tern
Summer
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Nightingale
Common Swift
Barn Swallow
Sand Martin
House Martin
Red-crested Pochard
Common Tern
Autumn
Greenshank
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Dunlin
Curlew
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Black-tailed Godwit
Ruff
Common Sandpiper
Teal
Wigeon
Black Tern
Little Gull
Osprey
Winter
Goldcrest
Greenshank
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Dunlin
Curlew
Black-tailed Godwit
Ruff
Teal
Wigeon
Goldeneye
Goosander
Past rarities include
Baird’s Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Yellow-legged Gull
Whooper Swan
Visitor centre
There is a shop, toilets (including disabled) and café with views across the reservoir.
There are several trails available from the visitor centre that include some hard surfaces. Access to the reserve is also available from the fishing lodge at the eastern end of the reservoir.
The reservoir can also be viewed from the causeway (Hawkswood Road) that runs across its southwestern end.
Disabled access trail
Starting at the visitor centre this 100m (110 yard) trail leads through woodland to the Lyster hide that overlooks the western end of the reservoir.
Woodland walk
A 1 km (0.6 mile) trail through the areas of mixed woodland taking in ponds and the four hides that overlook the reservoir on the way.
Circular route
This approximately 3km (1.8 mile) walk takes you around the whole reserve and all of its different habitats.
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Location
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre
Hawkswood Road,
Downham
Billericay
Essex
CM11 1WT
Map reference
TQ 725 971
Opening Times
9am – 4pm (November – January)
9am – 5pm (February – October)
Closed Christmas day & Boxing day
Public Transport
Nearest train stations: Wickford (5 km/3 miles)
Nearest bus stop: Downham Village (0.8 km/0.5 miles), bus No. 2 Billericay to Wickford, No. 10 Shotgate to Wickford & No. 13A or 14 Chelmsford to Wickford
Contact Details
Tel: 01268 711001