Chafford Gorges Nature Discovery Park

Please note - There will be restricted access in some places on the reserve for the foreseeable future. Please follow the signed diversions.

Chafford Gorges Nature Discovery Centre is set in a spectacular position over looking Warren Gorge. Chafford Gorges Nature Discvery Park offers 200 acres of green space for numerous wildlife and recreation for the 12,500 people living in Chafford Hundred.

Location

Chafford Gorges Nature Discovery Park
Drake Road
Chafford Hundred
Grays

Thurrock

Essex

RM16 6RW

Know before you go

Size

81 hectares

Parking information

Car park on site

Bicycle parking

Yes

Walking trails

Please note: there are no public rights of way around Lion Gorge and any access has always been permissive and at the discretion of Essex Wildlife Trust. The area is used by a local fishing club and last year they experienced a spate of anti-social behaviour and we agreed to gates being installed, so they could lock the area while they were fishing. The public can still walk down to the lake and enjoy views across the lake and when there is nobody fishing the gates will be open, so the public can continue to enjoy walking further around the lake at those times.

Explore our four nature trails

Access

Open

Dogs

Dogs permitted

Please note that dogs are permitted on the reserve but are not allowed inside the Nature Discovery Centre.

Assistance dogs are allowed in the Nature Discovery Centre.

Facilities

Picnic area

When to visit

Opening times

The Nature Discovery Centre is currently closed.

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Chafford Gorges Nature Discovery Park offers 200 acres of green space for wildlife and people of Chafford Hundred. A network of pathways take you around the lakes, meadows and woodland. You can get up close and personal with the wildlife, history and geology of the site. The park is within walking distance of Chafford Hundred railway station. If you have more than one dog, they must all be on a lead. Maximum of four dogs allowed. At Lion Gorge, all dogs must be on a lead.

April 2023: Our centre at Chafford Gorges is in the process of being repurposed for education in order to meet our charitable objectives most effectively, with a view to being fully operational in 2024.

The centre is currently closed to the public and there is no access to the toilets.