Welcome
Bowers Marsh is made up of grassland, marshland, lagoons, and wetland and it's a beautiful reserve for walks through these different habitats. Follow one of the trails and you are likely to see or hear something of interest, from ducks in the winter to a lucky glance of a kingfisher!
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Old Saltings Wildlife Viewing PointEast Haven Wildlife Viewing PointGreat Pound Wildlife Viewing PointGeneral
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Bowers Marsh is located between Pitsea station and Benfleet station where there are regular services from Shoeburyness and London Fenchurch Street.
From Pitsea station, turn right at the end of Station Approach and turn right down Brackendale Avenue, following the Thames Coastal Path footpath alongside the railway line until you reach Church Road. Turn right onto Church Road and follow the road to the main reserve entrance. For more information about train times please visit the C2C website before you travel.
Parking
By Road:
Follow directions from the A13 for Pitsea. Take the turning towards Pitsea centre/ Pitsea market onto Broadway Link.
Turn right onto London Road (B1464 towards Basildon Crematorium), turn right at the mini-roundabout with a brown Bowers Marsh sign. This is Church Road - go left at the next T-junction and follow the road until you reach the reserve entrance, and just beyond, the car park.
Car Park:
119 spaces
2 Blue Badges
Loose gravel surface
No steps or slopes but there is a kissing gate to access the reserve
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The car park is open from 9am until 5pm or dusk if earlier.
The reserve is accessible to pedestrians at all times via a kissing gate (with radar key access) to the left of the main gate.
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Hedgerow Stroll
This 1 km (0.6 mile) trail is perfect for children or a quick breath of fresh air. Look out for butterflies in the summer and birds feasting on berries in autumn and winter. The paths are hard surfaced and level.
The paths are surfaced with a mixture of grass and granite chippings between 1 - 2.5 metres wide. They are relatively flat, with the exception of a gradient of 1 in 100 to the highest point in the north east corner near to Rookery Farm.
Not pushchair or wheelchair friendly.
Designated Walking Trail
Lapwing Trail
Explore the wetland and grassland on this 2 km (1.2 mile) trail, perfect for the whole family to explore the reserve. What can you see as you walk past hedgerows, ditches and fields? Keep your eyes peeled and ears open! The paths are hard surfaced with a gentle slope to the north east corner of the reserve.
The paths are surfaced with a mixture of grass and granite chippings between 1 - 2.5 metres wide. They are relatively flat, with the exception of a gradient of 1 in 100 to the highest point in the north east corner near to Rookery Farm.
Not pushchair or wheelchair friendly.
Designated Walking Trail
Wetland Trail
This 5 km (3 mile) trail leads you into the depths of the marshland. Immerse yourself in the reserve as you walk past lagoons, grazing marsh and reedbeds. The paths are hard surfaced and level, with the exception of the step access to East Haven viewing point.
The paths are surfaced with a mixture of grass and granite chippings between 1 - 2.5 metres wide. They are relatively flat, with the exception of a gradient of 1 in 100 to the highest point in the north east corner near to Rookery Farm.
Not pushchair or wheelchair friendly.
Picnic Area
Picnic area near the car park
From the car park to the picnic area the ground is level with access via a kissing gate with a radar key if required.
Please note, the picnic tables are amongst the grass so may be difficult to access by wheelchair.
Picnic Area
Wetland Trail
From the car park to the picnic area the ground is level with access via a kissing gate with a radar key if required.
Please note, the picnic tables are amongst the grass so may be difficult to access by wheelchair.
Old Saltings Wildlife Viewing Point
From the car park to the viewing point the ground is level with access via a kissing gate with a radar key if required.
East Haven Wildlife Viewing Point
From the car park to the viewing point the ground is level with access via a kissing gate with a radar key if required.
Great Pound Wildlife Viewing Point
Customer care support
Customer care support
If you have any questions with regard to accessing this reserve, please contact us prior to your visit at southessex@rspb.org.uk and we will be happy to help.