Cranham Brickfields

Cranham Brickfields is a nature reserve in Cranham, Essex, featuring woodlands, a pond, and wildflower meadows spread across the site. The reserve has marked paths that guide visitors through its different habitats and grassland areas.

This land was once a clay pit used for brick production before being converted to vegetable growing during World War II. The site later became a protected natural space where wildlife could recover and thrive.

The reserve functions as an educational center where visitors participate in conservation programs and learn about local wildlife through guided activities.

You can enter the reserve through Sunnycroft Gardens or Limerick Gardens, with a footpath that passes under the railway to reach St Mary's Lane. The access points make it easy to start your visit from different directions.

The reserve is home to rare species including great crested newts, stag beetles, green hairstreak butterflies, and dyer's greenweed. These specialized species have found refuge in different parts of the site.