visitor center in Stow Maries

Just 40 Miles from London you will find a corner of Essex that's full of charm, beauty and history.

Managed in partnership with Essex & Suffolk Water this 100 acre mixed woodland reserve adjoins the 870 acre Hanningfield Reservoir, a SSSI for its nationally important populations of wildfowl.

Essex Wildlife Trust is the county's leading conservation charity. We have 11 Visitor Centres, 87 Nature Reserves, 2 Nature Parks & manage 8200 acres.

Stunning nature reserve 461 acres of woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens. There are beautiful wildlife gardens a museum of Plotland Life.

Whether you're a resident or visitor, follow us for your guide to the best of Southend - from attractions and things to do, to what's on and more.

Set within Wat Tyler Country Park, this is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll in peaceful surroundings and find out more about gardening for wildlife.