Belfairs
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre near Southend is a visitor, community, and education centre and a gateway to the Belfairs & Daws Heath Living Landscape in South Essex, where Essex Wildlife Trust and Southend Borough Council work with partners and local people to deliver conservation and education projects to protect this valuable landscape.
The centre features a café, shop, picnic area, nature trails, and scenic walking routes, making it a great destination for things to do in Southend and places to go in Essex, with plenty of outdoor activities for all ages.
Plan your visit
Opening times
Open all year round open 7 days a week.
Winter opening hours:
10am – 4pm weekdays and 9am-4pm weekends from 3 November – 13 February
Summer opening hours:
10am – 5pm weekdays and 9-5 weekends from 15 February – 3 November
Where to find us?
Address:
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 4LR
Telephone:
01702 477467
What3words:
///depend.table.less
Directions:
Facilities and access
Car parking and entry
Limited and disabled parking is available at the Nature Discovery Centre. Continuous support of the Trust enables us to do amazing work for wildlife here at Belfairs and across the county. Our members are incredibly important to us and make a real difference to wildlife in Essex. You can join Essex Wildlife Trust at Belfairs or online.
There is a coach drop-off space. If you are planning to bring a group, please ensure you have pre-booked your visit.
Cafe
We serve a selection of hot items, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, toasties, children’s lunch boxes, homemade soups, and vegan chilli, as well as delicious handmade cakes—including gluten- and dairy-free options—cream teas, toasted teacakes, and seasonal homemade bakes.
The café is open daily, serving from 10am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm weekends (4pm during winter), with hot food served until 30 minutes before closing.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available daily.
Shop
The Nature Discovery Centre has a well-stocked shop, including binoculars, wildlife books, bird food and feeders, gifts, greeting cards, toys and games, local jams, packaged snacks, and ice creams.
Accessibility
Disabled parking is available. There is a fully accessible public toilet for disabled visitors. Some walking trails are wheelchair-friendly.
Visitors with dogs
Dogs are welcome in our outdoor seating area at the Nature Discovery Centre, but, other than well behaved assistance dogs, they are not allowed inside the café or centre.
Please stay on the permitted trails in the nature reserve and keep your dog on a lead where required.
Nature Trails
Various routes around the reserve, please call in to the centre and ask for details or purchase a trail guide.
What to do
Explore
Belfairs Nature Reserve is a beautiful area of ancient woodland with a network of peaceful nature trails to explore, making it one of the best walks near Southend and among the best woodland walks in Essex. Sheltered viewpoints along the way offer a welcome rest if the weather turns wet, and it’s a fantastic place to unwind and reconnect with nature throughout the year. As one of Essex’s most scenic natural spaces, it’s a great option for things to do near Southend.
Events and activities
If you're looking for things to do in Southend, Belfairs hosts a wide range of family outdoor activities throughout the year, including wildlife events, adult learning courses, children's sessions, school holiday activities, and educational visits for schools and community groups. Whether you're planning fun family days out in Essex or want to explore its rich woodland and local wildlife up close, Belfairs is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about nature.
What to see
Much of the woodland is recognised for its long, continuous history; some areas are more than 1,000 years old, making it the earliest recorded woodland in Essex. The woodlands are home to a number of historic landscape features and a wide variety of flora and fauna, including several nationally threatened species.
The dormouse, heath fritillary butterfly, and song thrush are key species here, as is the Wild Service tree, which is closely associated with older, undisturbed woodland. The woods are enjoyed by local residents and visitors for walking, cycling, horse riding, golf, and bowls. Most of the woods survive from a time when woodland was a vital economic resource. Coppicing and woodland rotation helped ensure long-term sustainability, creating a patchwork of trees of different ages, heights, densities, and species—supporting a far greater diversity of plant and animal life.
Volunteering at Belfairs
We are looking for enthusiastic people to help promote the work of Essex Wildlife Trust at Belfairs.
Types of volunteering could include: office, shop, cafe, education or work parties.
Birthday parties
We offer a variety of fabulous themed birthday parties set in beautiful outdoor locations at our Nature Discovery Centres.
Schools and colleges
We believe in nurturing a lifelong love of nature at every age and stage of life. Our Wilder Learning programme offers opportunities for children, educators, adults and families to connect with the natural world. Designed to inspire curiosity and conservation, our programs are suitable for all ages.
Funders
The project has been funded by a number of organisations and individuals and Essex Wildlife Trust would like to thank them for their support. In particular, funding has been received from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, MaxiGreen, INTERREG IVA 2Seas, Biffa Award, Cory Environmental Trust, Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust, Bernard Sunley Charitable Trust, Olympus Keymed, Network Rail and organisations associated within the Timber Trade.
