Thameside Nature Park

Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is situated beside the river Thames near Stanford-le-Hope.

It has diverse habitats that include:

• coastal mudflats and saltmarsh designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area
• Thames Terrace grasslands
• ancient woodlands
• new woodlands and hedgerows
• a lake, ponds and reed beds

The nature park was formally a landfill site but now has a range of important habitats that reconnect the area with wildlife and people. There are footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways that allow visitors to explore the 654 acres of land that have been restored.

Visitor centre

The award-winning visitor centre is open daily 9am to 5pm. Features include:

• a café serving light refreshments
• toilets and baby changing facilities
• stunning views across Thames Estuary

History

Gravel was extracted from the site until the 1960s and was replaced by waste from London. The area was the site of a Saxon village but was occupied as far back as the Stone Age.

Further information

For more information, go to the Essex Wildlife Trust's Thurrock Thameside Nature Park website.

To find out about volunteering with Essex Wildlife Trust, go to Essex Wildlife Trust volunteering.