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  1. Vange Marshes

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  1. Rainham Marshes

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Average reviews rating is 4.5

(Based on 1 review)

Ranked 1 of 1 facilties in ranked in Essex

Wow factor

rating is 4

Accessibility

rating is 5

Photo potential

rating is 5

Review

Rainham Marshes

Directions: From London join A13 eastbound. After Dagenham the A13 goes onto an elevated section. Stay on the A13 to the A1306 turn-off (Signposted Wennington, Aveley and Purfleet.) Following signs for Purfleet on the A1306. Take the A1090 to Purfleet at traffic lights. The entrance to the reserve is signposted approximately 300 metres along this road, just after the bottom of the flyover on the right hand side. C2C operate a service to Purfleet every 30 mins from London Fenchurch Street. Other London connections are at Limehouse, West Ham and Barking. Telephone National Rail enquiries 08457 484950 for further details. Route 44 bus runs daily between Grays and Lakeside via Purfleet. The service is operated by Ensignbus (01708 865656)
Accessibility: Open daily 9.30am-5pm, except Tuesday when the reserve opens 7am, and Thursday when it closes at 7pm. The paths and trails are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Costs: £2.50 adults; concessions and family tickets available. Free to RSPB members and residents of Havering & Thurrock. Car park: voluntary £1 donation.
Best time to visit: All year
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Venue information

There are only a few ancient landscapes left in London and this RSPB reserve is one of them. Bought from the Ministry of Defence in July 2000, its former use as a shooting range has meant that much of the original medieval land-form and marshland has been untouched. It’s now the largest remaining expanse of wetland bordering the upper reaches of the Thames Estuary. The reserve is of particular note for its diverse bird interest, especially its breeding birds (waders in particular) and wintering wildfowl, finches and birds of prey. The reserve also supports a wide range of rare wetland plants and insects. The site has one of the highest densities of water voles in the UK.

Venue verdict: A good site for bird photographers but with the usual limitations of often needing long lenses to fill the frame.

Ratings (out of five): 3

Users' Overall Rating rating is 4.5(1 review)

  • Rainham Marshes

    DaveMH

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    User's Overall Rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Wow factorrating is 4
    Accessibilityrating is 5
    Photo potentialrating is 5

    RSPB run centre, good paths and access for all, worth a visit all year round for resident and migratory birds, insects and mammals. Walks available within the reserve and along the sea wall, with plents of oportunity to just sit and watch or photograph bird including the Peregrine Falcons which are regulars on the site. Can spend all day or just a couple of hours, there is a centre with good little cafe shop and facilities. I am a regular and theres always something to see.

    (Written by: DaveMH)

    13 March 2010 13:29

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