About Cockaynes Wood

Cockaynes Wood is a community wildlife site. It consists of a matrix of habitats, including woodland, bodies of water, and areas of open scrub. There are a number of public footpaths through the site that give access to the woods, and views of the open areas. Various wild-life related events are held on the site through the year. These are all open to the public. The site is maintained by regular work-parties, for which volunteers are always welcome!

Location

Cockaynes Wood is located between Alresford and Wivenhoe in North Essex.

How to get there

  • By foot or bike: the site can be reached by public footpath from Cockaynes Lane (Alresford) or from Alresford Road (Wivenhoe).
  • By car: the vehicular site entrance is off Wivenhoe Road, Alresford, just north of the Railway bridge. The main vehicle gate is usually locked, but there is still parking space for about 6 cars. The site can be reached by walking down the track from the gate. Please be aware that this track is not a public right-of-way; it may sometimes be closed to the public.
  • Directions from Wivenhoe: Take the Alresford Road and head out of Wivenhoe towards Alresford. About half-way between Wivenhoe and Alresford, turn left just before the railway bridge. Go through the gate, or use footpath, head down the track for about 300m, through the metal gates and into the former quarry yard.
  • Directions from Alresford: Take the Wivenhoe Road and head out of Alresford towards Wivenhoe. After the bend to the right, go over the railway bridge and immediately turn right. Go through the gate, or use footpath, head down the track for about 300m, through the metal gates and into the former quarry yard.

Grid Reference: TM052216
Post code: CO7 9JX

Satnav: latitude 51.854999   longitude 0.97805142

Management

Cockaynes Wood is jointly managed by Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) and Cockaynes Wood Trust (CWT), who lease the site from Brett Aggregates. It consists of Cockaynes Wood itself, Villa Wood, “Railway Wood” and parts of the former Villa Farm Quarry. Although a little out-of-date, a good introduction to the plans to manage the site are contained in the initial proposals document.