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Norsey Woods

1.9 miles (3 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap These lovely woods near Billericay have some good waymarked footpaths to try. The site covers 165 acres with ancient coppiced sweet chestnut, oak and hornbeam woodland.  It is also a local nature reserve with ponds, streams and lots of bluebells in the spring months. There's also a heather glade, bluebells in the spring and lots of wildflowers in the summer months. Look out for wildlife including dormouse, pipistrelle bat and newts around the ponds. The area is a well managed with a car park, visitor centre, toilets and picnic centre.
To continue your walking in the Billericay area you can head about 2 miles to the north east and visit Hanningfield Reservoir. The southern end of the water has some good woodland trails with nice views over the water.

Postcode

CM11 1HA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Norsey Woods OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Norsey Woods Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Dog Walking

The woods are a lovely place for a dog walk and you will probably see several other owners on your outing.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Near the town you can visit the splendid Imperial Bird of Prey Academy. It's the leading Bird of Prey Centre in Essex, based at Barleylands Farm & Craft Village and one of the real highlights of the area. You can handle the birds and spend some time flying an owl. There's also a wonderful flying display, a reptile house and informative talks to enjoy. You can find it in Billericay at a postcode of CM11 2UD for your sat navs.
The Billericay Walk starts in the lovely Park Meadows in the town centre. It visits the woods before heading to nearby Hanningfield Reservoir.
Just to the north is the pretty village of Ingatestone where you can enjoy views of the River Wid and visit the 16th century Ingatestone Hall.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Essex Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Part of Norsey Wood - geograph.org.uk - 756213

This is a view from the car park.

Norsey Wood, Billericay - geograph.org.uk - 53925

Norsey Wood, Billericay. This is desginated as ancient woodland and has Scheduled Ancient Monument status. Norsey Woods is owned and managed by Basildon Council and consists of 165 acres of mixed coppice woods. It is also an SSSI and local nature reserve.

Norsey Wood during the winter - geograph.org.uk - 681316

Woods during the winter. This view is seen as you leave the wood by car to join Outwood Common Road.

Norsey Woods, Billericay - geograph.org.uk - 48295

Burial mounds still exist in Norsey Woods evidencing its occupation in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Now, a recreation area managed by Basildon Council. A quite delightful place for a walk.

Norsey Wood during the winter - geograph.org.uk - 681316

A winter view of the woods in February. This view is seen as you leave the wood by car to join Outwood Common Road.

Coppiced tree at path junction - geograph.org.uk - 2966660

Coppiced tree at path junction in spring.

GPS Files

GPX File

Norsey Woods.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Norsey Woods.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)