GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Belfairs Woods

3 miles (5.2 km)

These woods in Leigh on Sea have some nice trails and lots of interesting flora and fauna to see.
You can start off at the car park by the Essex Wildlife Trust Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre on Eastwood Road. Then follow the trails heading west into Belfairs Wood and Hadleigh Great Wood.
The nature reserve is a great place for wildlife with Great spotted woodpecker, Nuthatch and the rare heath fritillary butterfly to look out for on the walk. Also look out for the wooden animal sculptures dotted around the trails.
It's easy to extend the walk by heading a short distance south west to visit Hadleigh Country Park. The popular park is nearly 400 acres in size and includes a mix of woodland, pasture, hay meadow and marsh.

Postcode

SS9 4LR - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Belfairs Woods OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Belfairs Woods Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Dog Walking

The woodland trails are ideal for dog walking so you'll probably see other owners on your visit.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Pick up the Benfleet to Leigh on Sea Walk to continue your walking in the area. This coastal route will take you through Hadleigh Marshes with views over to Two Tree Island.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Essex Walks page.

Photos

View to former Belfairs Farm site from the former lane - geograph.org.uk - 963690

View to former Belfairs Farm site from the former lane

The Prittle Brook - geograph.org.uk - 1289210

The Prittle Brook. Stream running through Belfairs Woods

Hadleigh Great Wood - geograph.org.uk - 991864

Hadleigh Great Wood

Footpath into Hadleigh Great Wood - geograph.org.uk - 991854

Footpath into Hadleigh Great Wood. This complex entrance is the start of a footpath into the wood.

Aerial view of Scrub Lane and Belfairs Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 1657027

Aerial view of Scrub Lane and Belfairs Nature Reserve. The Reserve occupies most of the upper right of the picture. Scrub lane runs from the upper left corner to the bottom centre.

Aerial view of Hadleigh Great Wood (Belfairs Nature reserve) - geograph.org.uk - 1770279

Aerial view of Hadleigh Great Wood (Belfairs Nature reserve). The main block of woodland here is the western portion of Hadleigh Great Wood, lying within Castle Point. The bulk of the wood lies within the Southend borough.The road across the bottom right is Scrub Lane. The road curving just below the wood is Greenacres.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Belfairs Woods.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Belfairs Woods.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)