RSPB Old Hall Marshes

Peaceful and relaxing place to come, beautiful countryside

Great place to visit but there are no facilities just wide open spaces

Closed road access at weekends. Not discoverable until you arrive so do not waste your journey as several of us did today. Poor signage on the approach too. Not easy to see how the RSPB uses its funds to provide for visitors to this site unless they're birds presumably.

Great wide open space with both long and short walks along the estuary with scenic views to Mersea and Bradwell. Fantastic for birdwatchers with large numbers of waders, ducks and geese.

Just not clear whether visitors are allowed or not. Discouraging signage all along old hall lane. Very unclear whether permitted to enter through gateway at ship ahoy cottage. Parked in Tollesbury village and walked back.....

Please Note as of April 2022 the on site car park is closed at weekends and there is no near by alternative

If you like wild sea shore sights you will love this location. It is a set of tidal and non tidal water areas linking the land with the sea.

If it really hot still take waterproof clothing. I would guess it blows windy 350 days year and those 15 wind free days are in calm winter days.

There are two well defined paths and it is possible that one part of these may be with pre-checking in some parts of use to skilled off track wheelchair users, but I strongly recommend you check this with other users as I’m not a wheelchair user my self.

Car park closed at weekends but almost the entire reserve is encircled by public footpaths so park instead at Woodrolfe Road in nearby Tollesbury Wick and follow sea wall north. Full circuit is 9 miles, but you can do a shorter route. Check weather beforehand because there are no facilities or shelter (though Woodrolfe Road carpark has public lavatories). If you like miles and miles of sea wall, solitude and wildlife this is the place for you...

Peace and quiet, great views.
Only open Monday to Friday and gates lock at 6pm.