Waters Reach overlooks a stretch of the Colne Estuary which is a designated SSSI (site of special scientific interest) and is protected to maintain the wide range of fora and fauna species found there. The wealth of bird life which can be found along here varies throughout the year, with it being a popular over wintering destination for migrating species. East Anglia has a long association with water, from the beautiful beaches to the estuaries and sometimes treacherous marshes with their hidden passageways, abounding with tales of smugglers.
The Essex coast has one of the longest coastlines of any English county, with over 300 miles twisting around the coastline, estuaries and islands. The varied habitats of open sea, mud flats, salt marshes, sea walls and grazing marshes support a vast array of wildlife and fauna making them sites of both national and international importance.
Waters Reach is located 4 miles from the Roman town of Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain. www.visitcolchester.com The property is situated near Wivenhoe (15 mins walk along the river) www.wivenhoe.gov.uk , renowned for its picturesque, simple beauty as a small waterside town where the quality of light and the estuary setting attract artists, many with studios open to the public, as well as bird watchers, who can enjoy guided walks with the acclaimed artist and ornithological expert, Richard Allen www.richardallenillustrator.com . From the quayside, a few remaining fishing boats leave for their regular catch along the river, overlooked by Waters Reach. A wealth of eateries are to be found: the delicatessen and adjoining tea room, www.wivdeli.co.uk . restaurants , such as Valentino’s, with its delicious rustic Italian food; On The Corner, the delightful tapas bar, www.tapasonthecorner.co.uk ; Bengal Spice for tasty Indian food, www.bengalspiceuk.com; Jardine with its cafe and bistro and exhibiting artists, www.jardine-bistro.co.uk. An abundance of pubs: the Rose and Crown, serving food and drinks and situated directly on the waterfront; the Greyhound with a varied menu and impromptu live music evenings.
Throughout the summer and autumn the cadets from Wivenhoe sailing club, www.wivenhoesailing.org.uk , can be seen practising their skills in dinghies along the water front. Meanwhile, the sailing club and yacht club at Brightlingsea ( a few miles towards the mouth of the river) host competitions of national and international significance.
Across the water, working barges can be seen filling with ballast, before departing on the high tide to deliver their loads. Traditional Thames barges with their majestic red sails take day trippers past and sailing boats of all kinds set to when the tide is right.
For cyclists, the footpath on the sea wall joins the National cycle route leading to Colchester and beyond. www.essexdaysout.com/cycle-route-wivenhoe-and-elmstead-market. It has far-reaching views across the River Colne to Fingringhoe Wick, one of the finest nature reserves in the country and the first of Essex Wildlife Trust’s reserves, famous for its population of nightingales. www.essexwt.org.uk/visitorcentres . Further inland, Abberton Reservoir offers the opportunity to spot inland water fowl.
In the opposite direction, a short walk along the sea wall takes you to the remains of the old railway bridge at the mouth of Alresford Creek. Continuing along the creek one reaches the Ford at Alresford. Once upon a time this provided a link to Brightlingsea along the sea wall although it is rarely used these days. A small detour takes you past the ruins of the 14th Century church of St Andrews or, instead, continue to Thorrington Mill at the head of Alresford Creek. Here, the beautifully restored tidemill is open to visitors www.essextouristguide.com/thorrington/thorrington_tide_mill . While there , fresh strawberries can be picked and purchased when in season.
Trains from Wivenhoe or Alresford (20 min walk) are 1 hour from the attractions of London or the Stratford Olympic village and leave approximately every hour; also the Victorian seaside resort of Frinton is a short trip to a beautiful sandy beach lined with beach huts with safe swimming.
Heading inland to the renowned ‘Constable country’ is the lovely village of Dedham on the River Stour. Here, rowing boats can be hired or simply a walk along the River Stour, followed by lunch at the Boathouse restaurant on the river , or one of the pubs. Alternatively, tea and cake at the tearoom is a treat. A short distance away , Flatford Mill, the home of John Constable and site of his world famous painting of The Haywain is to be found. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford-bridge-co
The Essex coast has one of the longest coastlines of any English county, with over 300 miles twisting around the coastline, estuaries and islands. The varied habitats of open sea, mud flats, salt marshes, sea walls and grazing marshes support a vast array of wildlife and fauna making them sites of both national and international importance.
Waters Reach is located 4 miles from the Roman town of Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain. www.visitcolchester.com The property is situated near Wivenhoe (15 mins walk along the river) www.wivenhoe.gov.uk , renowned for its picturesque, simple beauty as a small waterside town where the quality of light and the estuary setting attract artists, many with studios open to the public, as well as bird watchers, who can enjoy guided walks with the acclaimed artist and ornithological expert, Richard Allen www.richardallenillustrator.com . From the quayside, a few remaining fishing boats leave for their regular catch along the river, overlooked by Waters Reach. A wealth of eateries are to be found: the delicatessen and adjoining tea room, www.wivdeli.co.uk . restaurants , such as Valentino’s, with its delicious rustic Italian food; On The Corner, the delightful tapas bar, www.tapasonthecorner.co.uk ; Bengal Spice for tasty Indian food, www.bengalspiceuk.com; Jardine with its cafe and bistro and exhibiting artists, www.jardine-bistro.co.uk. An abundance of pubs: the Rose and Crown, serving food and drinks and situated directly on the waterfront; the Greyhound with a varied menu and impromptu live music evenings.
Throughout the summer and autumn the cadets from Wivenhoe sailing club, www.wivenhoesailing.org.uk , can be seen practising their skills in dinghies along the water front. Meanwhile, the sailing club and yacht club at Brightlingsea ( a few miles towards the mouth of the river) host competitions of national and international significance.
Across the water, working barges can be seen filling with ballast, before departing on the high tide to deliver their loads. Traditional Thames barges with their majestic red sails take day trippers past and sailing boats of all kinds set to when the tide is right.
For cyclists, the footpath on the sea wall joins the National cycle route leading to Colchester and beyond. www.essexdaysout.com/cycle-route-wivenhoe-and-elmstead-market. It has far-reaching views across the River Colne to Fingringhoe Wick, one of the finest nature reserves in the country and the first of Essex Wildlife Trust’s reserves, famous for its population of nightingales. www.essexwt.org.uk/visitorcentres . Further inland, Abberton Reservoir offers the opportunity to spot inland water fowl.
In the opposite direction, a short walk along the sea wall takes you to the remains of the old railway bridge at the mouth of Alresford Creek. Continuing along the creek one reaches the Ford at Alresford. Once upon a time this provided a link to Brightlingsea along the sea wall although it is rarely used these days. A small detour takes you past the ruins of the 14th Century church of St Andrews or, instead, continue to Thorrington Mill at the head of Alresford Creek. Here, the beautifully restored tidemill is open to visitors www.essextouristguide.com/thorrington/thorrington_tide_mill . While there , fresh strawberries can be picked and purchased when in season.
Trains from Wivenhoe or Alresford (20 min walk) are 1 hour from the attractions of London or the Stratford Olympic village and leave approximately every hour; also the Victorian seaside resort of Frinton is a short trip to a beautiful sandy beach lined with beach huts with safe swimming.
Heading inland to the renowned ‘Constable country’ is the lovely village of Dedham on the River Stour. Here, rowing boats can be hired or simply a walk along the River Stour, followed by lunch at the Boathouse restaurant on the river , or one of the pubs. Alternatively, tea and cake at the tearoom is a treat. A short distance away , Flatford Mill, the home of John Constable and site of his world famous painting of The Haywain is to be found. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford-bridge-co