Bourne Valley is a site of nature conservation importance. It is a woodland and wetland site covering 15 acres sandwiched between the residential areas of Mersea Road and Old Heath Road.
The Colne Local Nature Reserve lies on the north side of the river Colne on rising ground between Essex University and Wivenhoe. An 85 acre reserve consisting of 3 main areas.
Cymbeline Meadows is a 74 ha area of working farm land comprising a rich variety of habitats including pastures, arable fields, meadows, woodland and the meandering river Colne.
The archaeological park has been described as one of Britain's premier Iron Age and Roman monuments and (with adjacent sites) was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1988.
This 32ha local nature reserve is also designated as a local wildlife site and a scheduled ancient monument. With it's fascinating past, today it provides a green lung close to Colchester town centre.
A 17 acre site which lies to the south of the town's former harbour between the Hythe and Rowhedge. It comprises a number of former dredging lagoons. The dredging ceased in the mid seventies and has turned into a valuable haven for wildlife.
Lexden Springs Local Nature Reserve, known locally as 'The Loop', was declared a nature reserve in 1990 and was the first local nature reserve to be opened in Colchester, it is also designated as a local wildlife site.
This river valley corridor covering 48 acres constitutes an important urban wildlife area and comprises a wealth of habitats including pasture, grassland, marsh, fishing ponds and the brook itself which runs the entire length of the reserve.
Welsh Wood is a piece of ancient woodland covering 6.5 acres. A pretty stream runs along its eastern edge on its way to join Salary Brook further downstream.
