Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park - EWT

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Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park - EWT Welcome to one of Europe’s top wetland sites! Run by Essex Wildlife Trust, this wetland welcomes up to 40,000 ducks, swans and geese each year.

Spot wildlife from bird hides, wander the fun Brambly Hedge trail and enjoy a brew from our welcoming café.

21/10/2026

📢 Centre Closure Notice 📢
On Friday 23rd October, the centre will close at 4:00pm for a private event.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Today our Nature Tots made some wonderful fairy potions with lots of different colours and even fancy shaped leaf sprink...
21/10/2026

Today our Nature Tots made some wonderful fairy potions with lots of different colours and even fancy shaped leaf sprinkles!

Then our home ed group spent the afternoon making some much needed shelters before completing an orienteering challenge.

Both groups will be back in November!

Looking for a small gift or just an enjoyable way to pass some time? Why not try one of our Eugy models? There are lots ...
20/10/2026

Looking for a small gift or just an enjoyable way to pass some time? Why not try one of our Eugy models? There are lots to choose from - we made the humpback whale 🐳 and frankly he's adorable! 😍

Half term is only a week away, from next Saturday you can pop down and complete our holiday trail.... Who pooed in the p...
16/10/2026

Half term is only a week away, from next Saturday you can pop down and complete our holiday trail.... Who pooed in the pumpkin patch? 🎃💩
Come match the poo to the pooper. £2.50 per trail sheet, prize at the end

This morning our Nature Tots went on a walk looking for the birds hiding in the trees 🐦 We were excited to see the worms...
14/10/2026

This morning our Nature Tots went on a walk looking for the birds hiding in the trees 🐦 We were excited to see the worms are starting to return after some rain, and some of the children had a great time making muddy puddles! If you look carefully you can even see muddy puddles inside some wellies!!!

Spaces are filling up fast for our annual wreath making sessions. These are a great opportunity to embrace the Christmas...
12/10/2026

Spaces are filling up fast for our annual wreath making sessions. These are a great opportunity to embrace the Christmas spirit, get creative and make your own wreath from scratch! We will weave a willow base and then decorate it with a range of different greenery, berries, ribbons and other decorations 🎄

Sessions take place 6-8pm Tuesday 1st December or 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm on Saturday 5th December. Tickets are £35 per wreath. Book online here:
1st https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-12-01-abberton-wreath-making
5th https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-12-05-abberton-wreath-making

Have you spotted our clothes donation point? It is up by the metal gates as you enter the car park. The pied wagtails no...
10/10/2026

Have you spotted our clothes donation point? It is up by the metal gates as you enter the car park.
The pied wagtails noticed it, and built a nest there over summer! It is now empty, so thankfully we can empty out any donations once again!! 🪺🐦‍⬛

07/10/2026

🕷️ Spider warning! 🕷️
This morning our Nature Tots went looking for spiders - and we just beat the rain! We shook the hedges to see who came out to say hello! They were very happy meeting the little spiders, and even made some conker spiders to take home.

Join us next week when we will be looking for birds.

If you are visiting the reserve in the next few weeks keep your eyes peeled for clouded yellow butterflies 💛 Our educati...
06/10/2026

If you are visiting the reserve in the next few weeks keep your eyes peeled for clouded yellow butterflies 💛 Our education officer has spotted 4 today!
These butterflies are a migrant species from Europe. Some years there aren't many, some years a lot - this year looks like it has been a good one 🦋

Abberton is a riot of Autumnal colours currently. There are so many different berries to be found around the reserve! Ca...
05/10/2026

Abberton is a riot of Autumnal colours currently. There are so many different berries to be found around the reserve! Can you spot these ones on your adventures? 🔍🍂

Address

Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park, Church Road
Layer De La Haye
CO20EU

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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