Essex Wildlife Trust Thurrock Thameside Nature Park

General information

Essex Wildlife Trust is working to transform Mucking landfill site into a Living Landscape, this is the biggest project Essex Wildlife Trust has ever delivered. The site is 120 acres at the moment (and will be 845 acres) , it is a tremendous habitat for coastal and wetland wildlife, as well as very important grasslands, woodlands and hedgerows.

Mucking is positioned right on the working River Thames and the new visitor centre affords fanstastic views over the mudflats and the Thames. The area is an avian hotspot and there are already internationally important numbers of Ringed Plover and Avocets and nationally important numbers of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Godwit and Redshank. The Nature Park is situated between East Tilbury and Stanford le Hope, just off A13.

The Nature Park is important for many species including Barn Owls, Short Eared Owls, Water Voles (our fastest declinning species), Harvest Mouse, Skylark, Shrill Carder Bee, plus many more butterfly, moth and other invertebrate species. However, these are not the only beneficiaries, Cattle graze the site at certain times of the year and eventually people will be able to enjoy over 12 miles of new footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways. The visitor centre has an observation room/ tearoom and allows 360 degree views of the nature park and Thames from the fully accessible ( wheelchair & pushchair friendly) roof top viewing deck. A (disabled friendly) Bird hide over looking the sssi mudflats and a wonderful natural play area for children to enjoy.