Interesting Places
Here are some random sample locations of interest in Essex. Also take a look at sites shown on our sites map, geology site map and brownfield site map, with the site account and locate site facility.
locate Ingrebourne Valley
The best remaining river valley marshland in Greater London, with other important habitats adjacent or nearby including some excellent brownfield and Thames Terrace Grassland areas.
locate Hatfield Forest
The Last Forest (Oliver Rackham, 1989), with all the elements of a medieval Forest, an early acquisition by the National Trust.
locate Mistley, The Walls
The Walls is the highway running east/west along the river Stour between Mistley, New Rd at Mistley Towers and Manningtree, Quay St.
locate Broom Hill, West Tilbury
Shallow sand/gravel pit at top into Thames Terrace and unimproved grassland scarp grazed by horses and rabbits
locate Shadwell Wood
Shadwell Wood is an ancient Oxlip wood situated on the Chalky Boulder Clay of north-west Essex. It supports a rich assemblage of plants and animals.
locate Rainham Marshes
Formerly a Ministry of Defence firing range, much of the original medieval land-form and marshland wildlife has been preserved and this RSPB reserve is now the largest remaining expanse of wetland bordering the upper reaches of the Thames Estuary.
locate Hunts Hill, Belhus Woods Country Park
Old sand workings with sand exposures, flower rich areas, a small area of lichen heath, sparsely vegetated ground and lakes. Drought stressed oaks occur at several locations at the site. Access by car is via BWCP car park (which see), but footpaths are also close by.
locate Highlands Drive garden
Private garden.