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Remains of St Mary's Church

1 ha

📷 Andy Barham · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsHeritageWildlife
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

51.85143, 0.83028

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦86+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Jackdaw and Woodpigeon
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Mallard +83 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access; Grade II* listed building: CHURCH OF ST MARY (RUIN) NORTH OF BIRCH HALL

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Mallard +83 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Stag Beetle, Beautiful Demoiselle, Banded Demoiselle +56 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

8 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Colchester Orbital West BWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital West AWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital Spoke (West)Walking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital Spoke (South)Walking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colne Valley PathWalking route37 km
Named routeLength 37 kmLocal walking route
Birch 38public footpath · 169 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 169 mPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

92 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 8Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
Colchester Orbital CycleCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Garrison RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Route 13Cycling route
Named routeRef 13National Cycle Network
Colchester Orbital Cycle Spoke (Centre)Cycling route
Named routeRound tripLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

4 public paths nearby

Public paths
Leas Lanebridleway · 631 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 631 mSurface groundPath type: bridleway
Birch 35bridleway · 258 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 258 mPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Little Birch St Mary's "Lost Church"

📷 Andy Barham · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Little Birch St Mary's "Lost Church"

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🐄Colchester ZooVisitor farm1.1 km→🌱Westlands Country ParkUrban park2.9 km→✦Roman Practice Camp and late Iron Age and Roman remains east of Stanway Hall FarmHistoric site1.4 km→✦Gosbecks Iron Age and Romano-British siteHistoric site2.3 km→🌱Cheshunt FieldUrban park2.6 km→🌱Wheatfield road parkUrban park3.6 km→