Essex Walks

Hanningfield Reservoir Walks & Route Maps

Hanningfield Reservoir walk, Essex
Hanningfield Reservoir · Photo: Local Walks

Managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, Hanningfield Reservoir is a superb destination for anyone who enjoys waterside views, peaceful woodland trails and plentiful birdlife.

These walks offer a choice between a relaxed circuit with access to wildlife hides and visitor facilities, or a longer woodland adventure with the option of a lakeside restaurant stop, all within this protected and beautifully maintained nature reserve.

Dogs are not allowed on the site.

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Walk information

Hanningfield Reservoir Walk 1

Walk distance
1¾ miles
Time
1 hour
Route type
Circular

The Essex Wildlife Trust's Hanningfield Reservoir is a glorious place to visit if you love equal measures of lakeside walking, woodland walking and watching wildlife.

There is a visitor centre with a cafe and toilets at the start of the walk, and a number of hides that you can visit as you walk around, to see what birds you can see.

Hanningfield Reservoir Walk 1 4.0 Ratings and reviews 1 rating · 1 review

Based on 1 user rating

Community feedback

Overall rating4.0

A very popular walk

Dog friendly1.0 / 5
Path condition5.0 / 5
Buggy friendly4.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly2.0 / 5
Toilet facilities4.0 / 5
Pub or café5.0 / 5
Route accuracy5.0 / 5
ClimbingTotally level
LivestockNo livestock
StilesNo stiles
Mud levelBoots recommended

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Essex Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

This was a great place to discover. There are hides along the route where you can sit and observe. We saw lots of birds, squirrel and a deer. ...Top tip: take binoculars

Walk information

Hanningfield Reservoir Walk 2

Walk distance
3 miles
Time
1.5 hours
Route type
Circular

If you have more time, then this second route is a glorious longer adventure around the wonderful woodlands alongside Hanningfield Reservoir.

You'll enjoy the gorgeous woodland tracks as well as the numerous hides giving you sheltered access to the reservoir's abundant wildlife.

If you really want to make a day of it, there is a lovely lakeside restaurant half way around the walk.

As this is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a wildlife area, dogs are not allowed on the site (apart from guide dogs).

Hanningfield Reservoir Walk 2 5.0 Ratings and reviews 1 rating · 1 review

Based on 1 user rating

Community feedback

Overall rating5.0

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly1.0 / 5
Path condition4.0 / 5
Buggy friendly3.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly3.0 / 5
Toilet facilities5.0 / 5
Pub or café4.0 / 5
Route accuracy5.0 / 5
ClimbingTotally level
LivestockLivestock likely
StilesNo stiles
Mud levelMay be muddy after wet weather

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Essex Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

The first time I walked this, it was very good.The sun was shining, and plenty of people were about. Well worth the effort!

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Essex Walks App

Follow the Hanningfield Reservoir walks with GPS guidance

It's like sat-nav, but for footpaths.

Choose a walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you always know you're on the right path.

The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.

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Expanded route map for Hanningfield Reservoir Walk 1, a 1.75 mile circular walk in Essex