Word count: 746
Essex Water Ways
A chance to explore a little of the Essex coastline and old sand and gravel pits which are now abundant with wildlife.
Words and images by Charlotte Fellingham
1 Leave the car park via the vehicle entrance and turn right. Turn right at the Jolly Sailor and walk past the Old Ship and cross the canal at the locks. These locks are a sea lock on to the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation which can only be used at high tide. Heybridge Basin was where barges were unloaded before the cargo was carried inland to Chelmsford. Head up on to the sea wall following it round to the right. Follow the sea wall path with views across to Northey Island, the basin and the nature reserve at Heybridge Hall Lake. Northey Island can be reached by a causeway which is covered at high tide, the island and farm house are owned by the National Trust and the island can only be visited by appointment, it’s an important place for overwintering birds such as brent geese and shelduck. Heybridge Hall Lake is a flooded gravel pit on the other side of the sea wall and is a Local Wildlife Site due its importance as a roosting and bathing site for coastal birds and the reed bed is good for sedge and Cetti’s warbler, it’s certainly quite noisy at certain times of year! As you work your way round the lake the new development is on the site of the old Heybridge Hall. The hall was destroyed by fire in 2004, but it did date back to the 13th century.
2 After approx. 2 km at the footpath junction opposite Stebbens Way on the new development, turn left crossing Heybridge Creek then right to walk beside a very small River Blackwater. To the left is very industrial with and recycling plant. Carry on along the top of the bund, cross a small road and continue on another footpath just to the right on top of another bund. As the path goes past a car park and you reach a metal gate, turn right into it and head for the left-hand corner. Go up some steps and follow the painted out path to the road. Cross the road and turn right taking the road signed to Wickham Bishops past a new hotel development and over the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. The name of Heybridge is derived from ‘high bridge’ which was built over the River Blackwater at the junction of Heybridge Street, Holloway Road and the Causeway, although the river at this point now runs under the road and joins the canal.
3 Opposite Holloway House, a listed building, take the footpath on the right up Wood Lane. This leads to Grapnell Farm where it is alleged there was a possible UFO sighting or it could simply have been a satellite or a meteor burning up as it entered our atmosphere, what do you think? Just before reaching a building turn right to cross a bridge and walk ahead with the hedge on your right and Heybridge Wood across the field to your left. Turn right just before the houses and then left at the road. At the T-junction turn left onto Hunt Avenue. Keep on this road until you see a dead end in front of you then turn right then left onto Wood Road. Follow Wood Road round to the right to the main road. Turn left at the road and continue until you reach a footpath on your right by the Christian Outreach Centre.
4 Take this track which leads to old sand and gravel pits, now flooded. The footpath leads to the right through a gate off the track just before reaching the house. The path follows a wide grassy track by the lake where you can see more birdlife. At the fence and building follow the path round where it narrows travelling along the fenceline. At Scraley Lane turn right with Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve on your left. As the road bends to the right take the footpath on the left. This goes through a gate into a garden, follow the hedge round to the right and cross a stile into a paddock. Follow the hedgeline, go through a gate and turn right alongside arable fields. At the bottom of the field bear right, you’ll see a sign for an angling club and the path becomes enclosed. The path opens out at some houses and continues as a lane to the main road. Turn left then further along, right down the road to Heybridge Basin. Follow the road back to the car park.
Distance: 5 ½ miles / 5.7 km / 3 hours
Terrain: Flat with 1 stile en route at Grid Reference TL868 087
Start / parking: Daisy Meadow car park, Grid Reference TL871 069
Map: OS Explorer 176 Blackwater Estuary
Refreshments: Two pubs en route at Heybridge Basin
Tourist Information Centre: Maldon District Tourist Information, Wenlock Way, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD Tel: 01621 856503
Places to visit: Chigborough Lakes Nature Reserve, flooded gravel pits and home to 11 varieties of willow and copious birdlife. For more information visit http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/chigborough_lakes_nature_reserve/ or contact 01621 862960.