Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park
Situated in the rolling
countryside of the Roach Valley at the south of the District, the
100 - 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 five year 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, and new notice boards, signage and
leaflets continue to be added as visitor numbers increase.
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 with much to see and 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.
Tree Planting
Rochford District Council, have acquired a further 130 acres of
land to the east and west of their existing Cherry Orchard Jubilee
Country Park along the Roach Valley.
With this former agricultural land the Authority can begin its
planned second phase of the Country Parks expansion and
development.
The first stage is the planting of seven new woodlands over 35
acres, containing a total of 32,000 trees.
The trees will be all native broad-leafed species that are
suitable for the location, they will include English Oak, Hornbeam
and Ash.
All 32,000 trees will be planted between November 20th 2008 and
March 1st 2009.
Species to see in the Park
Birds: Skylark, Grey Partridge and Field Fare.
Trees: Hornbeam, Oak and Ash.
Amphibians and reptiles: Common Frog, and Great Crested
Newt.
Mammals: Pipistrille Bat.
Grasses: Coacks Foot, Timothy and Yorkshire Frog.
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.