Essex Nature and Wildlife Attractions
Essex Nature and Wildlife Reserves and Attractions, tourist and visitor information, many with brief details of disabled access. Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Essex Attractions and Heritage pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring counties to see what else there is in the area.
We support ‘Accessible Countryside for Everyone’ in providing a brief guide as to the access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.
Abberton Reservoir - Nature trails, bird hides, visitor centre - Essex Wildlife Trust - Layer-de-Haye, Colchester - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/abberton-reservoir
Chafford Gorges Nature Park and Visitor Centre - 200 acres of green space, over looking Warren Gorge - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/chafford-gorges
Colchester Zoo - One of the finest zoos in Europe, 270 species, 60 acres, daily displays - All displays / keeper talks are accessible by wheelchair with space available at the front of tiered seating if required. Manual wheelchair hire is available, there is a suggested 'easier route' around the zoo, standard accessible toilets and a "Changing Places" toilet (no sling provided) 
www.colchester-zoo.com
Epping Forest - 6000 acres, 12 miles, streching from Manor Park in East London to Epping - "There are several sites in Epping Forest which are attractive and accessible to all including the elderly, people with disabilities and families with young children" please see the website
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/
Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve - 125 acre reserve, mixed habitat onthe banks of the River Colne - Essex Wildlife Trust - Colchester - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/fingringhoe-wick
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre - 100 acre woodland reserve with trails, hides etc.- Essex Wildlife Trust - Billericay - wheelchair access / baby changing facilities - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/hanningfield-reservoir also see www.eswater.co.uk/gofishing
Hatfield Forest - rare surviving example of a Medieval Royal Hunting Forest - National Trust - Bishop Stortford - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.natjonaltrust.org.uk/hatfieldforest
Mistley Park Animal Rescue Centre - visit resued animals and birds (over 2000) which roam over 25 acres - Manningtree - we have no disabled access info for this site
www.mistleyplacepark.com
Rainham Marshes - great place for getting close to nature - RSPB - Purfleet - Disabbled friendly, accessible trails - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.rspb.org.uk/rainham
Redwings - home to around 70 horses, ponies and donkeys. Visitors can enjoy walking tours and horse care demonstrations, outdoor children’s play area, gift shop and café - Ada Cole Memorial Stables - Nazeing, nr Harlow - Disabled access and facilities, fully accessible to wheelchairs and group visits are catered for - please see website
www.redwings.org.uk/visiting/ada-cole-rescue-centre
South Essex Marshes Nature Reserve - walks, talks, events, activites, wildlife garden - RSPB - Basildon - Disabled & Pushchair friendly - please see website
www.rspb.org.uk/southessexmarshes
Thorndon Countryside Centre - ancient woodland and historic deer parks, visitor centre, picnic area - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/thorndon
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park - 120 acres of nature park, views over Mucking Flats SSSI and the Thames Estuary - Disabled & Pushchair friendly / baby changing please see website
www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/thurrock-thameside
Tropical Wings Zoo - Tropical Butterfly House, aninals etc. - South Woodham Ferrers - Disabled friendly, few restrictions, see more details on the website
www.tropicalwings.co.uk
Wallasea Island - new coastal reserve regenerating heritage marshland - RSPB - we have no disabled access info for this site
www.rspb.org.uk/wallasea
National Nature Reserves in Essex
Blackwater Estuary - www.naturalengland.org.uk - we have no disabled access info for this site
Colne Estuary - www.colne-estuary.org/NNR.html - we have no disabled access info for this site
Hamford Water - www.naturalengland.org.uk - we have no disabled access info for this site
Hatfield Forest - www.naturalengland.org.uk - we have no disabled access info for this site
Leigh - www.naturalengland.org.uk - we have no disabled access info for this site
The Essex Wildlife Trust www.bbowt.org.uk
