Vange Marsh

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: Nearest car park - RSPB South Essex Visitor Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex, SS16 4UH

Grid ref: TQ731871

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Vange Marsh is a glorious mosaic of wetland habitats that attract many species of birds throughout the year. The fresh and saltwater lagoons here host breeding avocets, little ringed plovers, lapwings and reed buntings. While wigeons, teals and shovelers are regular visitors in the winter.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

The nearest railway station is Pitsea, approximately 600m from Vange Marsh. For more information about train times please visit the C2C website before you travel.

By bus

The nearest bus stop is at Tesco supermarket in Pitsea less 10 mins walk from Vange Marsh. The No.5 bus running between Basildon and Pitsea stops here every 15-20 minutes.

By road

Turn off the A13 at the Pitsea Junction and follow signs for Wat Tyler Country Park. Travel down Pitsea Hall Lane straight over the mini roundabout and then across the railway bridge. Park your car in the Pitsea railway station's Pay and Display car park just before the level crossing on the left.

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

Exit Pitsea railway station and walk straight down the entrance road with the car park on your left. Cross the road at the T junction, continuing straight ahead and take the public footpath. Follow the path to the left, cross the railway line and continue on the path to the right. You will reach a metal kissing gate at the entrance to Vange Marsh

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

14 degrees, Sunny day

Contact Vange Marsh

Nearest car park - RSPB South Essex Visitor Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex, SS16 4UH
southessex@rspb.org.uk
01268 498620
@RSPBEssex
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What will you see?

Our star species

Avocet

Watch avocets 'scooping up' microscopic, aquatic life in their sickle-shaped beaks.

Black-tailed godwit

Flocks of black-tailed godwits can be seen on the lagoon in spring and in autumn.

Bearded tit

Bearded tits can usually be seen flying rapidly across the top of a reed bed.

Little ringed plover

Look out for this small plover with a distinctive black and white head pattern.

Wigeon

Wigeons arrive in autumn and stay here until the following spring.

Breeding lapwings, avocets and waterfowl can be seen in spring. Common terns arrive back from their wintering grounds in west Africa.

Hobbies fly overhead in search of insects and small birds to eat. In the ditches, you could see scarce emerald dragonflies and water voles. On the lagoons, green sandpipers and shelducks congregate, while in the grassland you might glimpse a marbled white butterfly.

The lagoons are the focus of action in autumn, with black-tailed godwits, lapwings and redshanks often on view.

Wildfowl including teals and wigeons spend winter on the lagoons.

About Vange Marsh

Habitat

Vange Marsh is a mosaic of wetland habitats in South Essex. Fresh and saltwater lagoons attract breeding avocets, common terns, little ringed plovers, lapwings and reed buntings.

In winter, wigeons, teals and shovelers visit the site and bearded tits thrive in the reedbeds. In summer, scarce emerald damselflies buzz around the reserve and the diamond patterned coats of adders can be glimpsed slithering through the long grass.

Conservation

Part of this nature reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Site information

This is a great place to start looking for birds with lots to see and discover all year round.

Vange Marsh has 2.3km of visitor access with 1.4km of this being permissive nature trails and 0.9km of public footpath. There is one viewing screen overlooking the saline lagoon with fluctuating tide level, and three small earth viewing mounds overlooking the larger brackish lagoon. This site is grazed by cattle periodically through the year- you may bump into them on your walk. The Thames Estuary Path runs through this reserve.

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