Welcome
West Canvey Marsh is part of the RSPB South Essex Reserves, a network of wet and dry grassland, reed beds, lagoons, saltmarsh and scrub giving people a chance to see a whole host of wildlife. Come in summer, when there are singing Skylark, or in winter for the chance to see a Short-eared owl.
Level access
Getting here
Travel by public transport
For more information about train times please visit the C2C website before you travel. From the station visitors can reach the reserve by taxi, bus or bike.
Parking
By Road:
Take the A130 south onto Canvey Island from the A13. At the Waterside farm roundabout, take the third exit to stay on the A130- Canvey Road. Take the third exit at the next roundabout (at the junction of Canvey Road and Roscommon Way) into the reserve car park.
Car Park:
Open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm (or dusk if earlier).
Open throughout the year, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Car park entrance is off the roundabout with Canvey Road and Roscommon Way.
There is a height restriction of 7 feet (2.1 metres).
30 Spaces.
2 Blue Badge Spaces.
Bike racks with space for 16 bikes.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Main entrance nearest blue badge bays, gate-free with clear opening of 510 mm.
Please note: the car park is loose gravel and may be difficult for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Nature Trail
Dive deeper into the marsh on this 2 mile (3.2 km) route. You’ll walk past lagoons, grazing marsh and meadows on your way to the sea wall. The trail is hard surfaced and accessible with the exception of the sea wall access, where the surface is steep and uneven.
There is a grass path to top of the sea wall with a 1:3 gradient. It is 300 mm wide. The path on top of sea wall 200 mm wide.
Designated Walking Trail
Dog Walking Trail
Especially for our four-legged friends, this route is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) long – great for a quick stretch. Please keep your dog on a lead at all times and come prepared to take any dog waste away with you.
Designated Walking Trail
Discovery Trail
This 0.9 mile (1.5 km) trail is perfect for the whole family to explore the reserve.
The trail is mostly hard-surfaced with grass paths to the top of the hill and slight slopes in some places.
At the hide entrance there is level access. There are low windows in the hide so wheelchair users can see outside.
Kesterman's Viewpoint
Twelve Acres Viewpoint
Picnic Area
Picnic area near car park
From the car park to the picnic area there is level access but the picnic tables are located on the grass. Wheelchair or pushchair access may be difficult. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.
Picnic Area
Red Hill
From the car park to the picnic area there is level access but the picnic tables are located on the grass. Wheelchair or pushchair access may be difficult. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.
Pantile Viewpoint
From the main entrance to this area there is level access but there is a 1:20 gradient slope
Red Hill Viewpoint
From the main entrance to this area there is level access.
Grass path 700 mm (275 inches) wide with 1:10 gradient.
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.