Places of Interest in and around Hockley

Hockley Woods
Hockley Woods is a 280-acre Ancient Semi Natural Woodland Local Nature Reserve in the heart of Hockley. Its ecological importance is recognised and protected by its designation as a site of special scientific interest.
It is open all year round with a free car park and toilet facilities in the entrance.
An information leaflet helps visitors enjoy the natural delights of the wood and helps guide them around the round-way marked walks.
Suitable surfacing ensures the woods can be accessed all year round by all types/abilities of visitor.
The wood itself is predominately Hornbeam coppice with both Sessile and Pendunculate Oak standards. The coppicing regime continues today with 2 hectares of Hornbeam being cut each winter.
There are numerous protected species synonymous with Ancient Woodlands throughout the site. The Health Fritillary butterfly is perhaps the most celebrated. It hatches from its pupa each June and swarms in delightful clouds over the Cow-Wheat along the wild rides.Considering the woods location in respect of so much urban conurbation they really are worth a visit, the jewel in Hockley's green crown.
Marylands Nature Reserve

Marylands Nature Reserve 1  Marylands Nature Reserve 2
The 12 acre site is situated to the north of the Marylands estate running roughly east to west from the main access in Plumberow Avenue close to the shops at Apex Corner, to its western boundary along the route of footpath 13.
Leased from Rochford District Council in 1997 it was granted Nature Reserve Status in 2000 protecting it in perpetuity. Described as ”a site in transition”, semi-wooded with a small open meadow area and a stream, it is laid out with a surfaced central ride and circular paths (disabled accessible)
There is a remarkably rich flora and fauna with 96 species of trees, shrubs, grasses and herbs. Of the 29 species of trees, 9 are associated with ancient woodland. More than 13 species of butterflies have been recorded in recent years, as well as an interesting variety of wood and farmland birds. Small mammals as well as amphibians and invertebrates inhabit the reserve, with sticklebacks being found in the stream.
The Parish Council’s aim is “to conserve and develop this small but diverse natural environment to the benefit and enjoyment of all sections of this and future generations of our community”.
In order to achieve its full ecological potential the Parish Council is currently working to a five year management plan drawn up by its consultant Woodlands Adviser. (Details of the plan are available from the Council).
To reduce the financial burden on the community the Parish Council has been successful in obtaining a grant of £5,000 from the Environmental Trust in 1999. More recently it has received a grant of £17,700 From the Cory Environmental Trust. The Parish Council is extremely grateful to both of these organisations for their generosity and to our Consultant for his hard work and guidance in securing this valuable support. In the near future the Parish Council will be improving the pathway from the entrance to the small railway sleeper bridge, introducing improved information and notice boards and running a series of guided walks led by our Woodlands Consultant. Information and guide leaflets are at present in preparation. Details of guided walks will be published in the near future.
The Parish Council encourages a scheme of ‘walking wardens’, whereby users of the reserve are encouraged to note and report items of interest or concern to the Clerk to the Council. If you too would like to become a warden, then contact the Clerk for this and other information on: 01702 207707.
Plumberow Mount
To find Hockley's most ancient relic of the past follow Plumberow Avenue almost to its end. On the left hand side you will find a large public open space maintained, by Hockley Parish Council, at the top of which is an large mound of earth (a tumulus) known locally as Plumberow Mount.
We know that the Plumberow area has a long history for it is mentioned twice in the Domesday Book and was a small settlement in medieval times . Unfortunately the Domesday Book throws no light on the origins of Plumberow Mount.
In 1913 an archaeological excavation was undertaken by an enthusiastic, although amateur, group of local antiquarians calling themselves the Morant Society.
The Society hoped to uncover a rich royal burial similar to the one recently excavated on Mersea Island. Three trenches were cut into the mound meeting at the centre, where a wooden post was discovered. Unfortunately there was no rich treasure, only some shards of Roman and Saxon pottery and a single Roman coin dated AD48. Disappointed, the Morant Society filled in their trenches and went home.

Ever since then the true purpose of the Mount has been the subject of great speculation. It has been suggested that with its fine views over the Crouch valley it was one of the Romano/British signalling stations set up to protect the Saxon Shore after the Romans left Britain. Or maybe it was a pagan religious site, as it was not unusual for heathen altars to be set up on hills. It is a fact that the early Christian missionaries were instructed to build their churches on the sites of heathen sanctuaries. It is very noticeable that, with the exception of Hawkwell and Rochford, all the ancient churches in the area are built on hills!
What the builders of Plumberow Mount intended when they toiled away with their primitive tools to erect this great mound of earth, we shall probably never know. But its importance to the people of Hockley and south east Essex cannot be denied. Being a little worst for wear after nearly two thousand years, Hockley Parish Council, with support from English Heritage and Essex County Council, are undertaking measures to protect it to ensure that it remains the subject of speculation and intrigue for many more years to come.