Old Hall Marshes

The car park is closed on Christmas Day.
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Address
RSPB Old Hall Marshes, Old Hall Ln, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon CM9 8TP, UK
Grid ref
TL959122

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

9am - 5pm or dusk if sooner.

Entrance charges

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

Free

Facilities

  • No visitor centre
  • Car park
  • Toilets off-site
  • Accessible toilets off-site
  • No Refreshments
  • Guided walks
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop off-site

Accessibility

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
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

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.

What will the weather be like?

6 degrees, Partly cloudy (day)

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 822Kb

Old Hall Marshes trail map

Contact Old Hall Marshes

What will you see?

Our star species

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 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

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).

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