List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Essex

Tidal mud flats, East Mersea, in the Colne Estuary SSSI, Essex

This is a list of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Essex, England, United Kingdom. In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features.[1] Natural England uses the borders of Essex to mark one of its Areas of Search. As of 2012, there are 86 sites designated in this Area of Search.[2] There are 19 sites with a purely geological interest, and 64 listed for biological interest. A further 3 sites are designated for both reasons.

Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system[3] and as such the same approach is followed here. The data in the table is taken from Natural England in the form of citation sheets for each SSSI, and the County Background Datasheet for Essex.[4]

For other counties, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search.

Sites

Contents :
Site name Reason for designation Area[A] Coordinates & Grid ref[B] Year in which notified Other designations Map[C] & Citation
Biological interest Geological interest Hectares Acres
Abberton Reservoir Green tick 718.3 1,775.0 51°49′34″N 0°52′23″E / 51.826°N 0.873°E
    TL981181 		1955 Bird sanctuary, SPA, WT, NCR, Ramsar site  Map  [5]
Ardleigh Gravel Pit Green tick 0.8 1.9 51°54′50″N 0°59′10″E / 51.914°N 0.986°E
    TM055281 		1992 GCR  Map  [6]
Ashdon Meadows Green tick 1.4 3.4 52°02′10″N 0°19′05″E / 52.036°N 0.318°E
    TL591401 		1974  Map  [7]
Basildon Meadows Green tick 6.8 16.8 51°33′11″N 0°27′32″E / 51.553°N 0.459°E
    TQ706867 		1974 CP  Map  [8]
Belcher's & Broadfield Woods Green tick 14.4 35.6 51°54′32″N 0°37′44″E / 51.909°N 0.629°E
    TL809267 		1966 WT  Map  [9]
Benfleet and Southend Marshes Green tick 2,373.7 5,865.5 51°31′30″N 0°39′25″E / 51.525°N 0.657°E
    TQ844840 		1987 SPA, LNR, WT, NNR, NCR, Ramsar site  Map  [10]
Blackwater Estuary Green tick 4,403.5 10,881.2 51°42′58″N 0°43′55″E / 51.716°N 0.732°E
    TL888055 		1955 SPA, NNR, NCR, SAC  Map  [11]
Blake's Wood & Lingwood Common Green tick 87.3 215.8 51°43′52″N 0°33′54″E / 51.731°N 0.565°E
    TL772067 		1955 NT  Map  [12]
Bovingdon Hall Woods Green tick 71.3 176.3 51°55′44″N 0°33′25″E / 51.929°N 0.557°E
    TL759287 		1979  Map  [13]
Bullock Wood Green tick 23.5 58.1 51°54′47″N 0°56′02″E / 51.913°N 0.934°E
    TM019279 		1985  Map  [14]
Canvey Wick Green tick 93.2 230.3 51°31′19″N 0°32′10″E / 51.522°N 0.536°E
    TQ760834 		2005  Map  [15]
Cattawade Marshes Green tick 89.2 220.5 51°57′22″N 1°02′53″E / 51.956°N 1.048°E
    TM095330 		1974 AONB, SPA, ESA, NT, Ramsar site  Map  [16]
Chalkney Wood Green tick 73.7 182.2 51°54′58″N 0°43′23″E / 51.916°N 0.723°E
    TL874277 		1955 SAM, CP  Map  [17]
Clacton Cliffs & Foreshore Green tick 26.3 65.0 51°46′41″N 1°07′30″E / 51.778°N 1.125°E
    TM157134 		1986 GCR  Map  [18]
Colne Estuary Green tick Green tick 2,986.5 7,379.7 51°48′32″N 0°58′41″E / 51.809°N 0.978°E
    TM054165 		1955 SAM, CP, Crown Estate, SPA, ESA, GCR, NNR, NT, NCR, Ramsar site, SAC  Map  [19]
Cornmill Stream and Old River Lea Green tick 25.1 61.9 51°41′31″N 0°00′22″W / 51.692°N 0.006°W
    TL379011 		1986  Map  [20]
Crouch and Roach estuaries Green tick 1,746.0 4,314.4 51°38′13″N 0°41′53″E / 51.637°N 0.698°E
    TQ868966 		1990 SPA, LNR, WT, Ramsar site, SAC  Map  [21]
Curtismill Green Green tick 47.8 118.1 51°38′53″N 0°11′28″E / 51.648°N 0.191°E
    TQ517966 		1955  Map  [22]
Danbury Common Green tick 71.0 175.3 51°42′43″N 0°34′19″E / 51.712°N 0.572°E
    TL778046 		1955 WT, NT  Map  [23]
Debden Water Green tick 21.3 52.6 51°58′55″N 0°14′13″E / 51.982°N 0.237°E
    TL537339 		1966  Map  [24]
Dengie Green tick Green tick 3,132.4 7,740.4 51°40′05″N 0°56′02″E / 51.668°N 0.934°E
    TM030007 		1955 SPA, GCR, NNR, NCR, Ramsar site, SAC  Map  [25]
Elsenham Woods Green tick 44.4 109.8 51°54′14″N 0°16′05″E / 51.904°N 0.268°E
    TL561253 		1974  Map  [26]
Epping Forest Green tick 1,790.1 4,423.4 51°39′50″N 0°02′20″E / 51.664°N 0.039°E
    TQ411981 		1953 SAM, NCR, SAC  Map  [27]
Foulness Green tick 10,946.2 27,048.5 51°34′52″N 0°56′13″E / 51.581°N 0.937°E
    TR036910 		1993 SAM, SPA, ESA, LNR, WT, MOD, NCR, Ramsar site, SAC  Map  [28]
Garnetts Wood / Barnston Lays Green tick 25.0 61.8 51°50′17″N 0°22′23″E / 51.838°N 0.373°E
    TL636182 		1974 CP  Map  [29]
Garrold's Meadow Green tick 5.0 12.4 51°34′05″N 0°37′44″E / 51.568°N 0.629°E
    TQ823887 		1988  Map  [30]
Glemsford Pits[D] Green tick 33.2 82.1 52°05′02″N 0°41′06″E / 52.084°N 0.685°E
    TL841462 		1974 ESA  Map  [31]
Globe Pit Green tick 0.4 0.9 51°28′44″N 0°20′20″E / 51.479°N 0.339°E
    TQ625782 		1953 GCR  Map  [32]
Goldsands Road Pit Green tick 1.2 2.8 51°39′22″N 0°49′55″E / 51.656°N 0.832°E
    TQ960990 		1986 GCR  Map  [33]
Grays Thurrock Chalk Pit Green tick 17.3 42.7 51°29′10″N 0°18′58″E / 51.486°N 0.316°E
    TQ609789 		1953 WT  Map  [34]
Great Wood & Dodd's Grove Green tick 37.1 91.7 51°33′32″N 0°37′23″E / 51.559°N 0.623°E
    TQ819877 		1981 LNR  Map  [35]
Hainault Forest Green tick 135.3 334.4 51°37′26″N 0°08′02″E / 51.624°N 0.134°E
    TQ478938 		1986  Map  [36]
Hales And Shadwell Woods Green tick 15.4 37.9 52°02′20″N 0°17′20″E / 52.039°N 0.289°E
    TL571403 		1973 NNR, NCR  Map  [37]
Hall's Quarry Green tick 0.7 1.7 51°55′44″N 0°12′22″E / 51.929°N 0.206°E
    TL518279 		1987 GCR  Map  [38]
Hamford Water Green tick 2,188.6 5,408.1 51°52′48″N 1°14′10″E / 51.88°N 1.236°E
    TM228251 		1956 SPA, NNR, NCR, Ramsar site  Map  [39]
Hangman's Wood & Deneholes Green tick 5.2 12.8 51°29′20″N 0°20′46″E / 51.489°N 0.346°E
    TQ630793 		1992 SAM  Map  [40]
Hanningfield Reservoir Green tick 402.9 995.6 51°39′25″N 0°30′11″E / 51.657°N 0.503°E
    TQ732983 		1966 Bird sanctuary  Map  [41]
Harlow Woods Green tick 45.2 111.6 51°44′24″N 0°05′02″E / 51.74°N 0.084°E
    TL440066 		1974 LNR  Map  [42]
Harwich Foreshore Green tick 10.3 25.5 51°56′28″N 1°17′28″E / 51.941°N 1.291°E
    TM263321 		1986 GCR  Map  [43]
Hatfield Forest Green tick 410.8 1,015.1 51°51′32″N 0°13′55″E / 51.859°N 0.232°E
    TL538202 		1956 SAM, WT, NNR, NT, NCR  Map  [44]
High Wood, Dunmow Green tick 41.5 102.6 51°52′23″N 0°19′37″E / 51.873°N 0.327°E
    TL603219 		1974  Map  [45]
Hockley Woods Green tick 92.1 227.6 51°35′38″N 0°38′35″E / 51.594°N 0.643°E
    TQ832917 		1988 LNR  Map  [46]
Holehaven Creek Green tick 272.8 674.2 51°31′05″N 0°31′19″E / 51.518°N 0.522°E
    TQ751829 		2003  Map  [47]
Holland Haven Marshes Green tick 210.6 520.5 51°48′54″N 1°13′19″E / 51.815°N 1.222°E
    TM222178 		1992 CP, ESA, LNR  Map  [48]
Holland-on-sea Cliff Green tick 0.1 0.2 51°48′14″N 1°12′22″E / 51.804°N 1.206°E
    TM211166 		1992 GCR  Map  [49]
Hunsdon Mead Green tick 34.2 84.6 51°46′44″N 0°03′11″E / 51.779°N 0.053°E
    TL417109 		1980 WT  Map  [50]
Inner Thames Marshes Green tick 485.9 1,200.6 51°30′00″N 0°12′25″E / 51.5°N 0.207°E
    TQ533802 		1986  Map  [51]
Lion Pit Green tick 2.4 5.9 51°29′N 0°18′E / 51.48°N 0.3°E
    TQ598782 		1953 GCR  Map  [52]
Little Hallingbury Marsh Green tick 4.5 11.0 51°49′59″N 0°09′50″E / 51.833°N 0.164°E
    TL492171 		1990  Map  [53]
Little Oakley Channel Deposit Green tick 3.0 7.3 51°55′16″N 1°13′52″E / 51.921°N 1.231°E
    TM223296 		1990 GCR  Map  [54]
Lofts Farm Pit Green tick 4.6 11.4 51°45′00″N 0°41′56″E / 51.75°N 0.699°E
    TL864091 		GCR  Map  [55]
Maldon Cutting Green tick 0.2 0.4 51°43′44″N 0°39′50″E / 51.729°N 0.664°E
    TL841067 		1986 GCR  Map  [56]
Marks Tey Brickpit Green tick 29.8 73.7 51°53′06″N 0°46′26″E / 51.885°N 0.774°E
    TL910243 		1979 GCR  Map  [57]
Mill Meadows Green tick 6.8 16.7 51°37′16″N 0°25′30″E / 51.621°N 0.425°E
    TQ680941 		1999 LNR  Map  [58]
Mucking Flats and Marshes Green tick 312.7 772.7 51°29′46″N 0°26′56″E / 51.496°N 0.449°E
    TQ701803 		1991 SPA, Ramsar site,  Map  [59]
Newney Green Pit Green tick 0.1 0.2 51°43′55″N 0°23′06″E / 51.732°N 0.385°E
    TL648064 		1989 GCR  Map  [60]
Norsey Wood Green tick 65.6 162.2 51°37′55″N 0°26′10″E / 51.632°N 0.436°E
    TQ687954 		1989 SAM, LNR  Map  [61]
Nunn Wood Green tick 9.5 23.5 52°03′43″N 0°16′37″E / 52.062°N 0.277°E
    TL562429 		1972  Map  [62]
Pitsea Marsh Green tick 92.3 228.2 51°33′14″N 0°30′36″E / 51.554°N 0.51°E
    TQ741869 &
TQ735863
 1974 CP  Map  [63]
Purfleet Chalk Pits Green tick 9.8 24.3 51°28′59″N 0°15′00″E / 51.483°N 0.25°E
    TQ563784 		1986 GCR  Map  [64]
Purfleet Road, Aveley Green tick 4.0 9.8 51°29′49″N 0°14′20″E / 51.497°N 0.239°E
    TQ555799 		1998  Map  [65]
Quendon Wood Green tick 33.5 82.8 51°56′42″N 0°12′14″E / 51.945°N 0.204°E
    TL516297 		 Map  [66]
Riddles Wood Green tick 37.9 93.8 51°49′05″N 1°05′17″E / 51.818°N 1.088°E
    TM129178 		1956  Map  [67]
River Ter Green tick 6.4 15.8 51°48′47″N 0°31′12″E / 51.813°N 0.52°E
    TL738157 		1994 GCR  Map  [68]
Roding Valley Meadows Green tick 19.3 47.8 51°38′13″N 0°04′19″E / 51.637°N 0.072°E
    TQ435952 		1987 LNR, WT  Map  [69]
Roman River Green tick 282.0 696.8 51°50′53″N 0°53′46″E / 51.848°N 0.896°E
    TL996206 		1973 ESA, MOD  Map  [70]
Sandbeach Meadows Green tick 29.4 72.6 51°42′25″N 0°55′26″E / 51.707°N 0.924°E
    TM021050 		1987  Map  [71]
St. Osyth Pit Green tick 0.1 0.2 51°48′40″N 1°04′23″E / 51.811°N 1.073°E
    TM119170 		1987 GCR  Map  [72]
Stour And Copperas Woods, Ramsey Green tick 78.2 193.2 51°56′06″N 1°11′02″E / 51.935°N 1.184°E
    TM190311 		1953 ESA, WT, RSPB, WT  Map  [73]
Stour Estuary[D] Green tick Green tick 2,248.0 5,555.0 51°57′14″N 1°10′26″E / 51.954°N 1.174°E
    TM182331 		2003 AONB, Crown Estate, SPA, ESA, GCR, LNR, WT, NCR, Ramsar site, RSPB  Map  [74]
The Cliff, Burnham-on-crouch Green tick 3.9 9.6 51°38′10″N 0°46′30″E / 51.636°N 0.775°E
    TQ921967 		1986 GCR  Map  [75]
The Coppice, Kelvedon Hatch Green tick 9.3 23.1 51°40′12″N 0°16′23″E / 51.67°N 0.273°E
    TQ573992 		1986  Map  [76]
The Naze Green tick 24.9 61.5 51°51′47″N 1°17′17″E / 51.863°N 1.288°E
    TM265234 		1959 GCR  Map  [77]
Thorndon Park Green tick 148.5 367 51°36′18″N 0°18′54″E / 51.605°N 0.315°E
    TQ604921 		1966 CP  Map  [78]
Thrift Wood, Woodham Ferrers Green tick 19.5 48.1 51°41′10″N 0°35′24″E / 51.686°N 0.59°E
    TL791018 		1987 WT  Map  [79]
Thundersley Great Common Green tick 9.1 22.4 51°34′30″N 0°35′31″E / 51.575°N 0.592°E
    TQ797894 		1987  Map  [80]
Tiptree Heath Green tick 24.6 60.7 51°47′53″N 0°43′41″E / 51.798°N 0.728°E
    TL882146 		1973  Map  [81]
Turnford and Cheshunt Pits Green tick 174.4 431.0 51°42′11″N 0°00′54″W / 51.703°N 0.015°W
    TL373023 		CP, SPA, Ramsar site  Map  [82]
Upper Colne Marshes Green tick 113.2 279.7 51°51′50″N 0°56′38″E / 51.864°N 0.944°E
    TM028225 		1992 ESA  Map  [83]
Vange & Fobbing Marshes Green tick 167.3 413.4 51°31′37″N 0°29′38″E / 51.527°N 0.494°E
    TQ731838 &
TQ725867
 1987 WT  Map  [84]
Waltham Abbey Green tick 33.8 83.6 51°41′56″N 0°00′36″W / 51.699°N 0.01°W
    TL376019 		1974 SAM  Map  [85]
Weeleyhall Wood Green tick 31.6 78.0 51°50′42″N 1°07′55″E / 51.845°N 1.132°E
    TM158209 		1974 WT  Map  [86]
West Thurrock Lagoon & Marshes Green tick 66.5 164.3 51°27′50″N 0°16′55″E / 51.464°N 0.282°E
    TQ586764 		1991  Map  [87]
West Wood, Little Sampford Green tick 23.9 59.1 51°58′26″N 0°21′25″E / 51.974°N 0.357°E
    TL620332 		1973 WT  Map  [88]
Wivenhoe Gravel Pit Green tick 1.0 2.5 51°52′19″N 0°58′37″E / 51.872°N 0.977°E
    TM050235 		1992 GCR  Map  [89]
Woodham Walter Common Green tick 79.7 196.8 51°43′26″N 0°35′20″E / 51.724°N 0.589°E
    TL789060 		1953 WT  Map  [90]

Notes

A Data rounded to one decimal place.
B Grid reference is based on the British national grid reference system, also known as OSGB36, and is the system used by the Ordnance Survey.[91]
C Link to maps using the Nature on the Map service provided by Natural England.
D Partly in Suffolk.

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of SSSIs". English Nature. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  2. ↑ "SSSIs in Essex". English Nature. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  3. ↑ "County search of SSSIs". English Nature. Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  4. ↑ Natural England County Background datasheet for Essex SSSIs Accessed 7 September 2012
  5. ↑ "Abberton Reservoir".
  6. ↑ "Ardleigh Gravel Pit".
  7. ↑ "Ashdon Meadows".
  8. ↑ "Basildon Meadows".
  9. ↑ "Belcher's & Broadfield Woods".
  10. ↑ "Benfleet And Southend Marshes".
  11. ↑ "Blackwater Estuary".
  12. ↑ "Blake's Wood & Lingwood Common".
  13. ↑ "Bovingdon Hall Woods".
  14. ↑ "Bullock Wood".
  15. ↑ "Canvey Wick".
  16. ↑ "Cattawade Marshes".
  17. ↑ "Chalkney Wood".
  18. ↑ "Clacton Cliffs & Foreshore".
  19. ↑ "Colne Estuary".
  20. ↑ "Cornmill Stream And Old River Lea".
  21. ↑ "Crouch And Roach Estuaries".
  22. ↑ "Curtismill Green".
  23. ↑ "Danbury Common".
  24. ↑ "Debden Water".
  25. ↑ "Dengie".
  26. ↑ "Elsenham Woods".
  27. ↑ "Epping Forest".
  28. ↑ "Foulness".
  29. ↑ "Garnetts Wood / Barnston Lays".
  30. ↑ "Garrold's Meadow".
  31. ↑ "Glemsford Pits".
  32. ↑ "Globe Pit".
  33. ↑ "Goldsands Road Pit".
  34. ↑ "Grays Thurrock Chalk Pit".
  35. ↑ "Great Wood & Dodd's Grove".
  36. ↑ "Hainault Forest".
  37. ↑ "Hales And Shadwell Woods".
  38. ↑ "Hall's Quarry".
  39. ↑ "Hamford Water".
  40. ↑ "Hangman's Wood & Deneholes".
  41. ↑ "Hanningfield Reservoir".
  42. ↑ "Harlow Woods".
  43. ↑ "Harwich Foreshore".
  44. ↑ "Hatfield Forest".
  45. ↑ "High Wood, Dunmow".
  46. ↑ "Hockley Woods".
  47. ↑ "Holehaven Creek".
  48. ↑ "Holland Haven Marshes".
  49. ↑ "Holland-On-Sea Cliff".
  50. ↑ "Hunsdon Mead".
  51. ↑ "Inner Thames Marshes".
  52. ↑ "Lion Pit".
  53. ↑ "Little Hallingbury Marsh".
  54. ↑ "Little Oakley Channel Deposit".
  55. ↑ "Lofts Farm Pit".
  56. ↑ "Maldon Cutting".
  57. ↑ "Marks Tey Brickpit".
  58. ↑ "Mill Meadows, Billericay".
  59. ↑ "Mucking Flats And Marshes".
  60. ↑ "Newney Green Pit".
  61. ↑ "Norsey Wood".
  62. ↑ "Nunn Wood".
  63. ↑ "Pitsea Marsh".
  64. ↑ "Purfleet Chalk Pits".
  65. ↑ "Purfleet Road, Aveley".
  66. ↑ "Quendon Wood".
  67. ↑ "Riddles Wood".
  68. ↑ "River Ter".
  69. ↑ "Roding Valley Meadows".
  70. ↑ "Roman River".
  71. ↑ "Sandbeach Meadows".
  72. ↑ "St. Osyth Pit".
  73. ↑ "Stour And Copperas Woods, Ramsey".
  74. ↑ "Stour Estuary".
  75. ↑ "The Cliff, Burnham-On-Crouch".
  76. ↑ "The Coppice, Kelvedon Hatch".
  77. ↑ "The Naze".
  78. ↑ "Thorndon Park".
  79. ↑ "Thrift Wood, Woodham Ferrers".
  80. ↑ "Thundersley Great Common".
  81. ↑ "Tiptree Heath".
  82. ↑ "Turnford & Cheshunt Pits".
  83. ↑ "Upper Colne Marshes".
  84. ↑ "Vange & Fobbing Marshes".
  85. ↑ "Waltham Abbey".
  86. ↑ "Weeleyhall Wood".
  87. ↑ "West Thurrock Lagoon & Marshes".
  88. ↑ "West Wood, Little Sampford".
  89. ↑ "Wivenhoe Gravel Pit".
  90. ↑ "Woodham Walter Common".
  91. ↑ "Guide to National Grid". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 2006-08-07.