River Walk :: and Whetmead Nature Reserve :: Witham Town Council :: Witham is a pleasant Georgian town with a history that dates back to the time of King Alfred located at the very heart of Essex midway between Colchester and Chelmsford.

The expansion of Witham over the last 40 years from village to a market town, of necessity encroached on much of the neighbouring countryside. Whilst this development could have been to the detriment of the local wild life the farsighted decision was made to create a River Walk. The walk, which extends about three miles through the town, is a mix of formal recreational areas and untended natural areas, the latter providing habitats for a wide variety of animals and birds.

Facilities for wild life were further enhanced by the creation of the Whetmead Nature Reserve at the end of Blackwater Lane, off Maldon Road. This was originally a rubbish tip, which was landscaped, and a lagoon created. The Rivers Blackwater and Brain border two sides of the Reserve and create a picturesque walk. The area is now home to foxes, herons, cormorants and a host of smaller creatures.

Map of Witham's River Walk

The Town Council manages four areas of open space in and around the town. The largest areas are those of the River Walk, a linear park that meanders alond the site of the River Brain and the town's nature reserve known as Whetmead. The Environment Agency is commencing work to prevent further erosion of the river bank along the River Walk and wep plan to plant more trees in the Autumn of 2008.

In 1993, Witham Town Council purchased 14 acres of land adjacent to Olivers Farm, off Maldon Road to create a Community Woodland for the Town. The woodland is now well established and the trees provide a haven for wildlife.

In the Town Centre, behind Newland's Car Park, there is a Closed Churchyard - an oasis for plants and animals as well as having some significant war graves which commemorate many well-known Witham family names. In addition, behind the Town Hall, there is a medieval period garden, a formally laid out garden, which is also a magnet for wildlife but provides an area of quiet and calm for many of Witham's residents.
Should you have any queries regarding the River Walk, Whetmead Nature Reserve or James Cooke Wood please contact Philip Tucker on 01376-520627 between 2pm and 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively he can be reached by email projects@witham.gov.uk