Widely regarded as the flagship green space for the area, Belfairs Nature Reserve - also known as Hadleigh Great Wood - has been managed, through coppicing to create a perfect home for a diverse range of wildlife and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Belfairs Park derives its name from 'Belfair Farm,' a farming estate which was sited within the park boundaries in the early 1200s. The Belfair farm building is the only man-made structural evidence of the farm estate that once existed.
Belfairs Nature Reserve is classified as 'ancient semi-natural woodland' but has been managed continuously, originally as simple coppice and then developing into 'coppice with standards' system as larger timbers were required in the 17th Century. This history of continuous management has led the reserve to have a very rich biological diversity and it was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1981 and in 1985 was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In 1997 it was chosen as a site for an English Nature project that involved the re-introduction of the Heath fritillary butterfly, a nationally rare species of conservation concern.
Belfairs Park comprises some 84.7 hectares (around 209 acres) of which nearly 50 hectares is a golf course. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council owns and manages the block of woodlands situated on either side of the borough boundary with Castle Point Council. Facilities
Facilities within the park include 2 bowling greens, tennis court, football, cricket, basketball, children's playground, 18-hole golf course, pitch & putt riding stables, trotting track, pottery, woodlands gardens, nature reserve and restaurant.
No Comments Yet - Why not be the first to leave a comment
Every effort is made to make sure that all the information is correct but we strongly recommend that you call Belfairs Wood, Park and Nature Reserve before you set off on your day out to confirm opening times and admission prices.
Please also note that the position on Google maps for Belfairs Wood, Park and Nature Reserve is a rough estimate using their postcode in the database and might be slightly out.
It may also be worth clicking the web link for Belfairs Wood, Park and Nature Reserve to see if there are any special events coming up or currently on.
Belfairs Wood, Park and Nature Reserve