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  • Old Hall Marshes

Old Hall Marshes

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Address
RSPB Old Hall Marshes, Old Hall Ln, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon CM9 8TP, UK
Grid ref
TL959122
What3Words
marbles.fidelity.position

Old Hall Marshes comprises extensive grazing marshes with brackish water fleets, reedbeds, saltmarsh and two off-shore islands. Breeding species here include avocet, lapwing, redshank, pochard, shoveler and bearded tit. During migration, marsh harriers, wheatears, whinchats and waders can also be seen, making this the perfect spot for avid birdwatchers.

Plan your visit

Opening times

  • Nature reserve: open daily, at all times.
  • Car park: open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Closed outside of these hours.

Festive opening times

  • Christmas Eve: car park closed.
  • Christmas Day: car park closed.
  • Boxing Day: car park closed.
  • 27-30 December: car park closed.
  • New Year’s Eve: car park closed.
  • New Year’s Day: car park closed.
  • 2 January: car park closed.
  • 3 January: car park open, 9am-5pm.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free
Children
Free
Car park cost

Free

Facilities

  • Car park
  • Picnic area
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails

Accessibility

  • Full accessibility information (external website)

How to get here

By train

The closest station is Kelvedon. From here, you can cycle or catch a bus to Tollesbury.

By bus

Catch a bus to Tollesbury, then walk north along sea-wall for approximately two miles.

By road

Follow directions to Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Turn left at village maypole then right into Chapel Road (back road to Tollesbury). After approx 1 mile (1.6 km), turn left into Old Hall Lane. Please therefore do not park in the lane. This leads to Old Hall Farm, then go around the garden in front of farmhouse, over speed ramps and through the iron gates to cattle grid, follow signs straight ahead to car park.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

The reserve can be accessed from Salcott and Tollesbury on foot.

Get directions from Google Maps
View on What3Words
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Information for dog owners

Please keep your dog on a lead and under close, effective control at all times, due to the sensitive wildlife, habitats and livestock here.

Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife here by keeping your dog on a lead and under close, effective control.

  • Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.
  • There are no dog waste bins on the reserve, we ask that you take the waste home with you to dispose of.

Group booking information

If you are visiting Old Hall Marshes as a group, please contact us in advance by email on oldhallmarshes@rspb.org.uk to check availability.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 822Kb

Old Hall Marshes trail map

Contact Old Hall Marshes

  • RSPB Old Hall Marshes, Old Hall Ln, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon CM9 8TP, UK
  • oldhallmarshes@rspb.org.uk
  • 01621 869015
  • @RSPBEssex
  • Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

    Wading Avocet Illustration

    Avocet

    Watch elegant avocets 'scooping up' microscopic, aquatic life.

    Bearded tit male

    Bearded tit

    Watch them whizzing across the tops of the reeds.

    Dark-bellied brent goose

    Brent goose

    They can be seen in good numbers here from October and linger well into the spring.

    Marsh Harrier male in flight

    Marsh harrier

    During migration, look for marsh harriers gliding over the reed beds.

    Male wigeon

    Wigeon

    Wigeons arrive at Old Hall Marshes in autumn until the following spring.

Recent sightings

Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve, hoar frost and frozen marsh at dawn

Find out about recent wildlife sightings at Old Hall Marshes.

read more

Seasonal highlights

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

Spring has reeding shovelers, gadwalls and pochards in ditches and open water; oystercatchers, avocets, lapwings and redshanks on grazing marsh and improved pasture. Marsh harriers and barn owls hunting over the reed-bed. Migrant waders adjacent to any shallow water and passage whimbrels on the semi-improved grassland.

Summer sees juvenile marsh harriers in reedbed, spotted redshanks, greenshanks and ruffs.

In autumn, wigeons and teals are on shallow open water, flocks of golden plovers and lapwings wherever there is water.

 

Winter has brent geese on semi-improved grazing, hen harriers, merlins and short-eared owls hunting the grazing marsh. Divers, grebes, goldeneyes, red-breasted mergansers and other seaducks in the estuarine channels. Twites and snow buntings on the seawall.

About Old Hall Marshes

Habitat

Habitats here include extensive grazing marshes with brackish water fleets, reedbeds, and saltmarsh.

Conservation

At important site around Essex, signs have been put up to advise people not to moor up there and come ashore which causes disturbance to these ground-nesting species. Permitted landing areas have also been provided where possible.

RSPB Old Hall Marshes, Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) Tollesbury Wick Marshes and EWT Colne Point all have important breeding colonies.

Partners

Natura 2000
EU Life

Little Tern Recovery Project is generously supported by the EU LIFE+ Nature Programme.

Site information

Our reserve here comprises extensive grazing marshes and two off-shore islands, covering 631 ha (1,560 acres).

Latest forum posts

  • Why is Old Hall Marshes car park now closed at weekends since 1st February 2020.

    The simple question is why is RSPB reserve Old Hall Marshes car par now closed at weekends since 1st February 2020?

    Posted 03/02/2020 by THOMO
  • bird food

    just purchased very large bag wild bird food from reputable firm, but the birds do not like it, they keep leaving it alone or taking out the bits they like and leaving the rest, i can not afford another bag until this one has goon, please can you hel...

    Posted 24/01/2016 by dawnp-1575676538
  • if you're thinking about visiting and would like to find out more, ask away!

    The website says "if you're thinking about visiting and would like to find out more, ask away!", but I'm a bit unclear about how to "askaway"? This seems to be the only available avenue, so I hope I'm doing it right? So some basic questions I haven't...

    Posted 14/11/2013 by Matthew B
  • Recent photos

    Updated pics from an enjoyable visit yesterday. http://www.essexbirds.com/oldhallmarshes cheers Paul https://twitter.com/paul_rowe1

    Posted 10/06/2013 by Paul Rowe
read our forum

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