Explore diverse habitats including saltmarsh, lagoons and grasslands teeming with birds, seals and wildlife across six scenic walking trails.

RSPB Wallasea Island is a newly created nature reserve in Essex featuring 115 hectares of intertidal saltmarsh, islands, mudflats and lagoons. The reserve was ingeniously created using three million tonnes of soil excavated during construction of London's Elizabeth Line tunnels, which was used to raise land levels and establish the Jubilee Marsh. This unique origin story combines environmental sustainability with habitat creation. Visitors can experience diverse wildlife across multiple habitats. The saltmarsh and mudflats attract hundreds of waders and wildfowl, including Dark-bellied Brent Geese, while terns dive for fish and Short-eared Owls and Marsh Harriers patrol the grasslands. Common Seals can be spotted hauling themselves out over the river, and invertebrates such as Shrill Carder Bees thrive in the lagoons and grasslands alongside mammals like Brown Hares. The reserve offers six walking trails of varying lengths, with five shelters positioned strategically for wildlife watching and relaxation. The design incorporates climate change resilience, with shallow slopes allowing saltmarsh to migrate upland as sea levels rise. The site sits within a Special Protection Area covering the Crouch and Roach estuaries, making it an important refuge for breeding and roosting birds. Families can enjoy free entry and explore at their own pace, with facilities including 34 parking spaces and bicycle racks. The reserve is open daily from 8am to dusk (or 8pm, whichever is earlier), making it an accessible destination for nature enthusiasts of all ages.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

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Trish M

a year ago

First time I have visited despite being a local resident and RSPB member for years. The road up to the car park we'll made with several speed bumps and passing places. You can choose from a few different walks, none of which are strenuous or too lengthy. I visited at 11.30am and saw several different birds; Canadian geese, skylarks, gulls and goldfinch. The walks were very pleasant and well maintained. There is a unisex compostable toilet at the car park which was very clean with plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitiser. I will definitely visit again at a different time of year to see what other birds are about.

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Marco Cantoni

2 years ago

I have been reliably advised that the best time to come here in terms of abundance of wildlife is November to January. I came at the end of March, however lots of birds and managed to see a few Marsh Harriers as well as a couple of Hares .. beautiful place and very peaceful, not many people about at all.. Car Park is free BTW

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sue smale

2 years ago

Lovely walk around on a rather gloomy day. Flocks of birds. The highlight was seeing a short eared owl out hunting.

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Mark Watson

3 years ago

Beautil reserve! Plenty of birds to spot here Ample parking on arrival. Safe, covered bike racks too Lots of routes around the reserve but the paths will only suit those who are good on foot. You'd need to spend a lot of time & energy to cover all of the reserve in one visit Very exposed to the elements but the Caroline hide is comfortable with a 360° view over most of the lagoons Only a portaloo as a toilet

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Gregor Young

3 years ago

Wonderful reserve formed from the earth tunnelled out of Crossrail. Easily accessible from London. Large and remote feeling once in the reserve. We saw perhaps 15 species of bird and a hare on the way round.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026