Accessibility Guide for RSPB Vange Marsh

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Vange Marsh by bus and train.

The nearest bus stop is at Tesco supermarket in Pitsea, less than 10 minutes walk from Vange Marsh. The number 5 bus running between Basildon and Pitsea stops here every 15-20 minutes. The bus stop is 0.8 miles / 1.3 km from RSPB Vange Marsh.

The nearest train station is Pitsea. The train station is 0.5 miles / 0.8 km from RSPB Vange Marsh.

For more information about train times please visit the C2C website before you travel.

Exit Pitsea railway station and walk straight down the entrance road with the car park on your left. Cross the road at the T junction, continuing straight ahead and take the public footpath. Follow the path to the left, cross the railway line and continue on the path to the right. You will reach a metal kissing gate at the entrance to Vange Marsh.

Follow the public footpath. The start of the footpath is opposite the station road entrance.

CAUTION: Access to the reserve is via a pedestrian level crossing without an automated barrier.
When crossing on foot, read all warning signage prior to crossing and ensure the track is clear in both directions before crossing.
Maintain that there is enough time to cross before the next train.

Parking

The drop off point for Vange Marsh is the entrance road to Pitsea train station, Basildon SS16 4UD. Follow the public footpath. The start of the footpath is opposite the station road entrance. CAUTION: Access to the reserve is via a pedestrian level crossing without an automated barrier. When crossing on foot, read all warning signage prior to crossing and ensure the track is clear in both directions before crossing. Maintain that there is enough time to cross before the next train. Please see photos below showing entrance to public footpath.

By Road:

Turn off the A13 at the Pitsea Junction and follow signs for Wat Tyler Country Park. Travel down Pitsea Hall Lane straight over the mini roundabout and then across the railway bridge. Park your car in the Pitsea railway station's Pay and Display car park just before the level crossing on the left. Exit Pitsea railway station and walk straight down the entrance road with the car park on your left. Cross the road at the T junction, continuing straight ahead and take the public footpath. Follow the path to the left, cross the railway line and continue on the path to the right. You will reach a metal kissing gate at the entrance to Vange Marsh
 

Path to main entrance

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

Follow the public footpath. The start of the footpath is opposite the station road entrance.

CAUTION: Access to the reserve is via a pedestrian level crossing without an automated barrier.
When crossing on foot, read all warning signage prior to crossing and ensure the track is clear in both directions before crossing.
Maintain that there is enough time to cross before the next train.

Metal kissing gate with clear opening of 990 mm (39 inches) at reserve entrance.
All paths are grass, with little change in gradient but uneven in some areas, and variable in width. Can become wet and muddy.

Public Footpath

The trail is 900metres long. The second exit has a kissing gate to footpath 136 with a clear opening of 1090 mm (43 inches).

This footpath runs the length of the reserve. All paths are grass, with little change in gradient but uneven in some areas and variable in width. Can become wet and muddy.
 

Designated Walking Trail

Permissive Footpath

The trail is 650metres long.

This footpath follows the reserve boundary. It can be combined with public footpath to make 1.5km (1 mile) circular route.
All paths are grass, with little change in gradient but uneven in some areas and variable in width. Can become wet and muddy.
 

Designated Walking Trail

Sea Wall Footpath

The trail is 250metres long. Footpath is accessed by a two-step stile. The trail is sloped.

All paths grass, with little change in gradient but uneven in some areas, and variable in width. Can become wet and muddy.
 

Viewing points

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

From the main entrance to this area there is level access.

Grass covered with a gradient of approximately 1:5.

Viewing slots at 1.5 m (5 ft), 1.7 m (5 ft 5), and 1.8 m (5 ft 10).

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 you.