What's here? at Stour Estuary
Available on site
Please be aware there is a car parking charge in the National Trust car park, unless you are a NT member.
Our car park closes at dusk.
30 spaces No designated accessible or Blue Badge parking.
It is a firm gravel surface with no significant gradient.
Signposted off the B1352 Manningtree to Harwich Road.
3 bicycle racks available.
2m height restriction barrier.
No overnight parking or camping.
Alternative parking by the roadside but can reach capacity during Easter and Autumn holidays.
Please be considerate of other road users.
Mixture of flat and undulating paths of up to 5 miles (7 km) length.
Stour Wood circular route, 0.5 mile (1 km): wide and flat, and without kissing gates. Natural clay surface which can become muddy. Most paths on upward or downward slopes surfaced to improve grip.
Circuit from Stour Wood to Stour Estuary and back, 2.5 miles (3.5 km) long has some difficult terrain and four solid kissing gates.
Mixture of flat and undulating paths of up to 5 miles (7 km) length.
Stour Wood circular route, 0.5 mile (1 km): wide and flat, and without kissing gates. Natural clay surface which can become muddy. Most paths on upward or downward slopes surfaced to improve grip.
Circuit from Stour Wood to Stour Estuary and back, 2.5 miles (3.5 km) long has some difficult terrain and four solid kissing gates.
Mixture of flat and undulating paths of up to 5 miles (7 km) length.
All trails clearly signposted with white arrows and/or wooden signs.
Stour Wood circular route, 0.5 mile (1 km): wide and flat, and without kissing gates. Natural clay surface which can become muddy. Most paths on upward or downward slopes surfaced to improve grip.
Circuit from Stour Wood to Stour Estuary and back, 2.5 miles (3.5 km) long has some difficult terrain and four solid kissing gates to prevent bicycle and motorcycle access.
Two picnic tables, with some space between benches.
We have 2 hides.
The estuary is also viewable from public footpaths and from a vehicle from a number of lay-bys.
A viewing screen with viewing slots at different heights.
Deep Fleet hide has near-level entry.
Five or more steps leading to both Copperas Bay viewing screen and Bramble Creek hide.
The route to both hides is around two hours, with many steps, small bridges and moderately steep slopes across a range of path surfaces.
Not available on site
There re no toilets at this reserve.
Nearest public toilets in Manningtree or Harwich, 4 miles (6 km) in either direction.
Nearest public toilets in Manningtree or Harwich, 4 miles (6 km) in either direction.
There re no toilets at this reserve.
Nearest public toilets in Manningtree or Harwich, 4 miles (6 km) in either direction.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
There is no visitor centre at this reserve, but you can find an information point in the car park.
We don’t have any refreshments available to purchase here.
You are welcome to bring a picnic with you to enjoy on your visit.
Restrictions
Dogs on leads are welcome on the public footpaths / bridleways around the reserve.
Please keep to the designated rights of way only.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season.
Please do not allow your dog to swim in the estuary as this can disturb the sensitive wildlife.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.