Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park
We will be carrying out work to re-grade the bank on the
unfenced section of Cherry Orchard Lake on Wednesday 21st July
2010. This work is expected to take a maximum of 10 working days to
complete. Access to the lake may be restricted during this time; we
apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your
assistance with this matter.
Situated in the rolling countryside of
the Roach Valley at the south of the District, the 200 acre
beautiful wildlife park continues to mature, providing unique
recreational facilities for residents and visitors to the
area. The woodland, lake, open grassland and
network of connecting paths and bridleways also provide habitat for
a huge range of animals and plants.
The park lies in some of the most beautiful countryside in South
Essex and makes the most of an exceptional rolling setting to
create a mix of open grassland and woodland a habitat for many
plant and animal species. Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne,
visited the newly created park in 2003 to celebrate the completion
of the first stage in this major project.
The first phase of creating the park has been completed, with
the planting of 28,000 trees. These trees are all native and
include the hornbeam, oak and ash. To celebrate the 200th
anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, an avenue of 200 oak trees
was planted in the park.
The park is taking shape out of a vision of turning an area of
farmland into a public open space where everyone can enjoy all that
the countryside has to offer. There are numerous public
rights of way for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to
enjoy. Three areas of open grassland have been established
with various types of grasses including Cocksfoot, Timothy and
Yorkshire Fog. These will be mown to create species-rich
meadows.
In 2008 the Council, acquired further land to the east and west
of the existing Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park along the Roach
Valley.
With this former agricultural land the Authority has began its
planned second phase of the Country Parks development.
Seven new woodlands of over 35 acres, containing a total of
32,000 trees were planted in the winter of 2008/09.
The trees are all native broad-leafed species that are
suitable for the location, and include English Oak, Hornbeam and
Ash.
Acute Oak Decline
Some of the oak trees at Cherry Orchard
Jubilee Country Park are suffering from a disease known as Acute
Oak Decline. For more information about Acute Oak Decline,
please see the related link at the bottom of this page.
Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park
In March 2010, a ‘Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country
Park’ group was formed. Friends groups allow the local community to
have a say in how their local park is managed. As they are the
users of these facilities, they are best placed to say what is
needed in the park. In addition to this, they often organise small
events in the park such as nature or bird watching walks.
If you would like to know more about joining the Friends of
Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, please contact the group
Chairman, Graham Hutchinson on 07850 584115 or email graham@chkpkmtrs.demon.co.uk -
You can also 'Like' Friends of Cherry Orchard on Facebook -
Follow the link in related links below.
Species to see in the Park
Birds: Skylark, Grey Partridge and Fieldfare.
Trees: Hornbeam, Oak and Ash.
Amphibians and reptiles: Common Frog, and Great Crested
Newt.
Mammals: Pipistrelle Bat.
Grasses: Cock's-foot, Timothy and Yorkshire Fog.
Agricultural wild flowers: Knapweed, Scarlet Pimpernel and
Mayweed.
How to get there
The Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park can be reached via the
public footpath network from:
Hockley: Gusted Hall Lane (not suitable for vehicles) Also
footpath links with Hockley Woods. Rochford: Cherry Orchard Way
(B1013). Eastwood: Blatches Chase (footpath only) off Western.
By Car
No parking is allowed on any part of Blatches Chase or within
the park. The nearest car park is in Edwards Hall Park, Bosworth
Road. The car park is open during park opening hours.
By Bus
Bus numbers 9, 15, 15c and 16 stop at Western Approaches Bus
number 8 goes past Gusted Hall Lane, Hawkwell.
Please note there are no toilet or baby change
facilities at the park.