Great Leighs, Essex

Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

6.4

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandWetlandLakesideRiversideWalkersWildlife loversPhotographersFamilies

Why it's Wildland

6.4

A small, varied reserve that slopes towards a tributary of the River Ter, with a lake created in the 1960s, wet woodland, grassland and a reedbed. Look out for kingfishers, dragonflies and seasonal orchids.

The appeal is the variety packed into a compact reserve: a stream-valley lake, wet woodland and flower-rich grassland support kingfishers, more than 13 recorded dragonfly and damselfly species, and orchids. The accessible path and pond-dipping platform add practical ways to explore, though facilities and trail conditions should be checked before visiting.

Peaceful · Wildlife-rich · Seasonal

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Great Leighs, Essex

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The experience

Allow around 1–2 hours to explore the lake, boardwalk and meadow paths at an unhurried pace. Look for kingfishers along the streams and ditches, dragonflies near the water, and seasonal flowers in the grassland and glades. Check access and path conditions before visiting.

Things to do

Walk the accessible lake-side path

Follow the hard-surface route from an entrance around the lake. Essex Wildlife Trust describes this path as wheelchair- and pushchair-friendly; check current conditions before visiting.

Check on site

Explore the wet-woodland boardwalk

Follow the boardwalk through the wet woodland and stop at the pond-dipping platform. No pond-dipping equipment or organised activity is confirmed by the source.

Watch the streams and ditches for kingfishers

Look for a flash of blue and orange along the streams and ditches, where Essex Wildlife Trust says kingfishers can be spotted.

Look for dragonflies and damselflies

Check the lake, streams and ditches for dragonflies and damselflies; more than 13 species have been recorded at the reserve.

Search the grassland for seasonal flowers

In spring and summer, look among the grassland and glades for orchids and other wildflowers, taking care to leave plants undisturbed.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1–2 hours

Lake, boardwalk and wildlife

01
Start from one of the reserve entrances and follow the hard-surface path towards the lake.
02
Explore the boardwalk through the wet woodland and pause at the pond-dipping platform.
03
Walk the lake-side path and watch the streams and ditches for kingfishers and dragonflies.
04
If conditions allow, continue along a circular path through the reserve before returning.

Verified history

Phyllis Currie left the reserve to Essex Wildlife Trust. The lake was created in the stream valley in the 1960s; the available sources provide no further verified historical detail.

Hidden details

A lake made in the 1960s — The lake is not simply a natural feature: Wild Essex records that it was created in the stream valley in the 1960s.

A notable range of flying insects — Essex Wildlife Trust reports more than 13 recorded species of dragonflies and damselflies; Wild Essex also describes the lake, streams and ditches as valuable breeding sites for them.

Orchids among the grassland flowers — Essex Wildlife Trust lists bee orchid and green-winged orchid among the reserve's species. Wild Essex also mentions green-winged orchids in the grassland and sheltered glades.

When to go

April · May · June · July · No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources; visit during suitable daylight and check current conditions.

Essex Wildlife Trust recommends the reserve year-round. Wild Essex highlights late spring and early summer for wildflowers, high summer for flying insects, and autumn for leaf colour.

The reserve includes wet woodland, streams and unsurfaced circular paths. Check current conditions before visiting, especially after wet weather.

What to look for

01
Watch the streams and ditches for a flash of blue and orange from a kingfisher
02
scan the lake edge and reedbed for water rail. In spring and summer, look for orchids and other flowers in the grassland and glades, and dragonflies around the lake and streams.

The story

A lake created in the stream valley in the 1960s; the reserve was left to Essex Wildlife Trust by Phyllis Currie.

Best time to go

Late spring and early summer for flowers and orchids; summer for flying insects. The reserve is described as worth visiting year-round.

Late spring to early summer for wildflowers and orchids; high summer for flying insects. A calm, bright day should make it easier to watch wildlife, but this is practical guidance rather than a sourced guarantee.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families · Dogs

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

Chelmsford CM3 1QW

Website

essexwt.org.uk

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.6 · 112 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Essex Wildlife Trust says the reserve is accessible at all times and free to enter. Its 9 hectares include circular paths and a wheelchair-friendly hard-surface path around the lake; check current conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Space for four cars, according to Essex Wildlife Trust. Check availability before travelling.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs permitted; Essex Wildlife Trust says they must be under effective control. Wild Essex advises keeping dogs on leads; follow current reserve signage.

Accessibility

Essex Wildlife Trust describes a narrow hard-surface path, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, leading from both entrances around the lake. Circular paths elsewhere are unsurfaced; conditions may vary.

Cost

Free

Water

Lake, streams and ditches; no swimming permission is evidenced.