Galleywood Common Local Nature Reserve

Galleywood Common, recorded in Domesday (1086) at approximately 500 acres, survives today at around one quarter of this size and is a popular area for dog walkers, nature lovers and local residents.

The Common was registered as a common in 1967 and confirmed as a Local Nature Reserve in July 1993. It comprises areas of heathland, mire, grassland, woodland and ponds and this diversity of habitats makes The Common one of the most significant areas of semi-natural lowland heath vegetation in Essex.

The characteristically open landscape of lowland heath is dominated by low growing shrubs and grasses, with areas of bare ground, wetland and scrub. Together they support an array of fauna, many of which are found exclusively in this habitat and the features it contains.

As the habitats of The Common are man-made, they need to be maintained to prevent them from being lost. This is achieved by on-going maintenance, much of which is carried out by volunteers. There is a 10 year management plan used for this Local Nature Reserve.

There are 3 large, free car parks accessed from Margaretting Road or Stock Road B1007.

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