URPoint Details
Hanningfield Reservoir a 402.9 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest situated between Billericay and Chelmsford. It is the 11th largest reservoir in England with an area of 3.5 square kilometres (880 acres).
There are many footpaths in the woodland around the water where wildlife can be seen, and hides have been erected, with views of the visiting and resident birds.
The public can use the reservoir for seasonal fly fishing both from the bank and from boats, providing a fishing permit is bought in advance.
There are two cafés at each end of the reservoir: the newer, opened in 2007, is next to the fishing lodge with a deck overlooking the water, and the other is at the Essex Wildlife Trust visitors' centre. The reservoir has a nationally important population of gadwalls, and it also has significant numbers of pochards, teal, tufted ducks and pintails.
The chalk sludge lagoon has several unusual plants, including golden dock and marsh dock, and there is a rare moss Brachythecium mildeanum at the foot of the southern dam
- Type:
- Landmark