Waterhall Meadows
6ac/2ha
Grid ref: TL 759 072
Updated 31/12/2023.
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Ancient unimproved flood meadows on the west bank of Sandon Brook, with a small spinney, a pond and an area of blackthorn thickets. Formerly flooded regularly, they rarely flood today.
Cowslip and meadow saxifrage flower in the meadows in spring, followed by lady's bedstraw in midsummer, and later devilsbit scabious and pepper saxifrage. The pond has amphibious bistort, great water dock and fine-leaved water dropwort. Goldilocks buttercup flowers nearby in spring and a little further on hemp agrimony and spindle grow together by the brookside.
Several warbler species nest regularly, and kingfishers visit regularly. It supports many dragonfly species Including white-legged damselfly.
Visiting
In Little Baddow. Turn off the A414 into Hammonds Road at the roundabout signposted Boreham, and after 1 mile turn right into Hurrells Lane. Entrance is by a stile on the right before a ford through Sandon Brook. There is limited parking by the entrance and across the ford on the left.
Accessible at all times
Spring and summer for flowers; summer for dragonflies along the brook.
Please keep dogs on a lead when there is livestock on the reserve.
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