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Cockaynes Wood Nature Reserve, ALRESFORD, Tendring District, TM056218, Potential Local Geological Site
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Site category: Thames (pre-diversion) Site name: Cockaynes Wood Nature Reserve Grid reference: TM 056 218 Brief description of site: A recently restored gravel pit in Thames gravels, now a publicly-accessible nature reserve. ------------------------------------------- Summary of geological interest Cockaynes Wood Nature Reserve includes part of the former Villa Quarry, a gravel pit which had exposures of Wivenhoe Gravel. Wivenhoe Gravel, part of the Kesgrave Sands and Gravels, was laid down by the Thames about 500,000 years ago when it flowed across this area before being diverted to its present course by ice during the Anglian glaciation (see separate site entry for Wivenhoe Gravel Pit). It was deposited just upstream of the point where the Thames joined a former course of the River Medway. It may be possible to conserve or create a permanent cliff of gravel in the former pit which would be an extremely useful teaching aid for students and for public interest and education. Other information The reserve is jointly managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and Cockaynes Wood Trust, who lease the site from Brett Aggregates. The vehicular site entrance is off Wivenhoe Road, Alresford, just north of the Railway bridge. The main vehicle gate is usually locked, but there is still parking space for about 6 cars. The site can be reached by walking down the track from the gate. Please be aware that this track is not a public right-of-way; it may sometimes be closed to the public.
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Cockaynes Wood EWT 4  Cockaynes Wood EWT 3  Cockaynes Wood EWT 2  Cockaynes Wood EWT 1  Cockaynes Wood Nature Reserve 1  The Tendring district in Wivenhoe Gravel times.  upload a new image |
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