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 PointGreat Pound Wildlife Viewing PointGetting here
Travel by public transport
Bowers Marsh is between Pitsea station and Benfleet station where there are regular services from Shoeburyness and London Fenchurch Street.
From the Pitsea station exit, turn right at the end of Station Approach and then right down Brackendale Avenue, following the public footpath alongside the railway line until you turn right onto Church Road. Follow Church 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 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, slopes or gates to access reserve.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Designated Walking Trail
Hedgerow Stroll
This 1 km (0.6 mile) trail is perfect for little legs 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.
All trails are surfaced with compacted granite fines and approximately 3.5 m (138 inches) 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 friendly.
Designated Walking Trail
Lapwing Trail
Explore the wetland and grassland on this 2 km (1.2 mile) trail, perfect for the 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.
All trails are surfaced with compacted granite fines and approximately 3.5 m (138 inches) 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 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.
All trails are surfaced with compacted granite fines and approximately 3.5 m (138 inches) 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 friendly.
Picnic Area
Car Park
Picnic Area
Wetland Trail
Old Saltings Wildlife Viewing Point
Great Pound Wildlife Viewing Point