Thameside Nature Discovery Park - EWT

Thameside Nature Discovery Park - EWT Mucking is positioned right on the working River Thames and the new visitor centre affords fanstastic views over the mudflats and the Thames.

A stunning and innovative Essex Wildlife Trust discovery centre and Nature Park created on a former landfill site, with superb views over Mucking Flats SSSI and Thames Estuary. Essex Wildlife Trust is working to transform Mucking landfill site into a Living Landscape, this is the biggest project Essex Wildlife Trust has ever delivered. The site is 120 acres at the moment (and will be 845 acres) ,

it is a tremendous habitat for coastal and wetland wildlife, as well as very important grasslands, woodlands and hedgerows. The area is an avian hotspot and there are already internationally important numbers of Ringed Plover and Avocets and nationally important numbers of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Godwit and Redshank. The Nature Park is situated between East Tilbury and Stanford le Hope, just off A13. The Nature Park is important for many species including Barn Owls, Short Eared Owls, Water Voles (our fastest declinning species), Harvest Mouse, Skylark, Shrill Carder Bee, plus many more butterfly, moth and other invertebrate species. However, these are not the only beneficiaries, Cattle graze the site at certain times of the year and eventually people will be able to enjoy over 12 miles of new footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways. The visitor centre has an observation room/ tearoom and allows 360 degree views of the nature park and Thames from the fully accessible ( wheelchair & pushchair friendly) roof top viewing deck. A (disabled friendly) Bird hide over looking the sssi mudflats and a wonderful natural play area for children to enjoy.

Stop by at Thameside to explore our unique site. There’s still time to take part in   🌿Use all your senses to immerse yo...
11/06/2026

Stop by at Thameside to explore our unique site. There’s still time to take part in 🌿

Use all your senses to immerse yourself in nature 🐝🪱🪲🦋

Here’s the link to find out more 👉 https://loom.ly/9h0m_Qs

Pyramid Orchid ⭐️Ranger spot 👀 ThamesideThe pyramidal orchid lives up to its name - look for a bright pinky-purple, dens...
10/06/2026

Pyramid Orchid ⭐️

Ranger spot 👀 Thameside

The pyramidal orchid lives up to its name - look for a bright pinky-purple, densely packed pyramid of flowers atop a green stem. It likes chalk grassland, sand dunes, roadside verges and quarries.

Scientific name
Anacamptis pyramidalis

When to see
June to July

Record your sightings through our Nature Counts website 👉 https://loom.ly/8_jNmvE

Do you follow Essex Wildlife Trust and take great photos? 📸They have a regular photo of the week spot! Check out this we...
09/06/2026

Do you follow Essex Wildlife Trust and take great photos? 📸
They have a regular photo of the week spot! Check out this week’s winner ⭐️

Photo of the week time, and we had to choose this gorgeous photo of kestrel chicks taken by Ursula Armstrong last week. 💛

Kestrels nest in holes in trees, old buildings and abandoned crows' nests, laying between four and five eggs. When they hatch, both parents help to feed the young chicks.

What chicks have you spotted near you?

Join us for Wildflowers and Wild art at our upcoming Wild Women session! 🪷🌸🌺For those wondering about our resident wren ...
08/06/2026

Join us for Wildflowers and Wild art at our upcoming Wild Women session! 🪷🌸🌺

For those wondering about our resident wren chicks, they have finally fledged from the yurt, so don't let the weather put you off as we now have a cosy place to shelter🌧🐦‍⬛
Book through our website by searching for Thameside Wild Women! essexwt.org.uk

https://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2026-07-08-thameside-wild-women-group

Week 2 here we go!Have fun exploring nature every day 🌱
08/06/2026

Week 2 here we go!
Have fun exploring nature every day 🌱

This week was the first week of 🐛🦋🐞

Have you signed up? Or need some inspiration to keep you going through the 30 days?

Head over to the website 👉https://loom.ly/9h0m_Qk

The artist of the month at Thameside is Robert G Marshall, an accomplished wildlife artist originally from Zimbabwe. His...
08/06/2026

The artist of the month at Thameside is Robert G Marshall, an accomplished wildlife artist originally from Zimbabwe.

His exhibition of framed artwork is accompanied by a range of prints, key rings and mugs.

Be sure to stop by and admire.

Robert says, ‘My main genre is wildlife, with birds being my greatest interest. There are so many varieties throughout the world, and it never gets boring even watching the same birds as they are all magnificent.’

20% of proceeds donated to EWT

An abundance of Oxeye Daisies with a backdrop of Harris Hide, the creek and sluice gate. Credit Bill Robinson
08/06/2026

An abundance of Oxeye Daisies with a backdrop of Harris Hide, the creek and sluice gate.

Credit Bill Robinson

30 Days Wild inspiration 👀Our rangers found this beauty on their recent moth survey. Poplar Hawk Moth This resident moth...
05/06/2026

30 Days Wild inspiration 👀
Our rangers found this beauty on their recent moth survey.

Poplar Hawk Moth

This resident moth flashes reddish-brown patches on underwings if disturbed. The wings can sometimes have a pinkish/purplish tinge. Adult does not feed.

Female comes to light before midnight, the male after midnight, in greater numbers. Rests with abdomen curved up and hindwings further forward than the forewings. Larvae can be found between June to early October.
(Butterfly Conservation)

Our Thameside volunteers help us in so many ways.Whether it be on the front desk, meeting and greeting, filling the bird...
04/06/2026

Our Thameside volunteers help us in so many ways.
Whether it be on the front desk, meeting and greeting, filling the bird feeders, providing information to our visitors, serving in the cafe, delivering outdoor learning, repairing fencing on site or taking part in work parties….we THANK YOU ALL!

Mute Swans on Golden Gates Lake. Thanks to regular Bill for sharing this image with us!One of our most iconic waterbirds...
04/06/2026

Mute Swans on Golden Gates Lake.

Thanks to regular Bill for sharing this image with us!

One of our most iconic waterbirds, the mute swan is famed for its grace and beauty. It is also considered to be a romantic of the bird world because partners form a perfect love heart with their necks.

Credit: Bill Robinson

Address

Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking
Stanford Le Hope
SS170RN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441375643342

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