Top Pond Holes

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Essex Colchester

England

Top Pond Holes

Beside a patch of woodland on Easthorpe Road Part of Cantfield's Farm farmhouse can be seen ahead.
Beside a patch of woodland on Easthorpe Road Credit: Trevor Harris

Top Pond Holes is a picturesque freshwater ecosystem located in Essex, England. The site, encompassing a lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh, offers a diverse habitat for numerous species of plants and animals.

The star attraction of Top Pond Holes is its expansive lake, which spans several acres. The lake is fed by natural springs and rainwater runoff, ensuring a constant supply of fresh, clean water. The crystal-clear lake water supports a variety of aquatic life, including fish, turtles, and water birds. Anglers frequent the lake to try their luck at catching freshwater species such as carp and perch.

Adjacent to the lake is a smaller pool, which is home to a range of amphibians. Frogs and toads can be seen and heard during the breeding season, creating a symphony of croaking sounds. The pool is also a popular spot for dragonflies and damselflies, which flit through the air, adding a splash of color to the surroundings.

A network of interconnected ponds and channels wind their way through the marshland, creating a haven for wetland plants and wildlife. Cattails, reeds, and water lilies thrive in the nutrient-rich soil, providing shelter and food for birds, insects, and small mammals. The marsh is a haven for birdwatchers, who can spot a variety of species, including herons, kingfishers, and warblers.

Overall, Top Pond Holes is a natural sanctuary that offers visitors a tranquil and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Its diverse ecosystems, from the lake to the pool and marshland, provide a rich tapestry of flora and fauna, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

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Top Pond Holes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.845746/0.79659006 or Grid Reference TL9220. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Beside a patch of woodland on Easthorpe Road Part of Cantfield's Farm farmhouse can be seen ahead.
Beside a patch of woodland on Easthorpe Road
Part of Cantfield's Farm farmhouse can be seen ahead.
Easthorpe Road A stretch of the road north east of Messing.
Easthorpe Road
A stretch of the road north east of Messing.
Easthorpe Road, Eastthorpe
Easthorpe Road, Eastthorpe
Postbox and signpost, Layer Marney
Postbox and signpost, Layer Marney
Birch Green Garages behind Greenfield Houses.
Birch Green
Garages behind Greenfield Houses.
Birch Green Play area.
Birch Green
Play area.
Farmland near Birch Ploughed field with Birch church in the background.
Farmland near Birch
Ploughed field with Birch church in the background.
Greenfield Houses 1950s council houses.
Greenfield Houses
1950s council houses.
Gulf Service Station Smythes Green
Gulf Service Station
Smythes Green
New Hedge In Birch Green When I was a nipper I remember this hedge-line being grubbed up, encouraged by the policies  and financial incentives of the Ministry of Agriculture. Today in order to qualify for the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme subsidies hedges are in fashion  once  more! <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.naturalengland.gov.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/hls/default.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.naturalengland.gov.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/hls/default.aspx">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Here volunteers from The Essex Wildlife Trust <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.essexwt.org.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.essexwt.org.uk/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Groundworks UK <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.groundwork.org.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.groundwork.org.uk/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and staff from Anglian Water (many thanks for the lunch folks!) are replanting the hedge with a mixture of native species. This is part of the Four Parishes Living Landscapes Project <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.essexwt.org.uk/news/four_parishes_hedgerow_project/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.essexwt.org.uk/news/four_parishes_hedgerow_project/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  that aims to restore four kilometres of hedgerow to provide a wildlife corridor between the dormice populations on <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/153919">TL8714 : Tiptree Heath</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/142671">TL9721 : Roman River Reserve</a>. The landowners get free trees and labour in exchange for a commitment to maintain the new hedge. See the end of the days toil at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3352276">TL9419 : New Hedge in Pudding Lane</a> and the results of a previous sortie at
 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3352294">TL9318 : New Hedge on Winter's Hill</a>
New Hedge In Birch Green
When I was a nipper I remember this hedge-line being grubbed up, encouraged by the policies and financial incentives of the Ministry of Agriculture. Today in order to qualify for the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme subsidies hedges are in fashion once more! LinkExternal link Here volunteers from The Essex Wildlife Trust LinkExternal link Groundworks UK LinkExternal link and staff from Anglian Water (many thanks for the lunch folks!) are replanting the hedge with a mixture of native species. This is part of the Four Parishes Living Landscapes Project LinkExternal link that aims to restore four kilometres of hedgerow to provide a wildlife corridor between the dormice populations on TL8714 : Tiptree Heath and TL9721 : Roman River Reserve. The landowners get free trees and labour in exchange for a commitment to maintain the new hedge. See the end of the days toil at TL9419 : New Hedge in Pudding Lane and the results of a previous sortie at TL9318 : New Hedge on Winter's Hill
Almonds, Layer Marney (Listed building) Typical older rural dwelling, C18 enlarged in early C19, in red brick with grey slate roofs.

List entry Number: 1223971 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1223971" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1223971">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Almonds, Layer Marney (Listed building)
Typical older rural dwelling, C18 enlarged in early C19, in red brick with grey slate roofs. List entry Number: 1223971 LinkExternal link
Roundbush Road Viewed from the junction on Winters Road on a gloomy summer's day.
Roundbush Road
Viewed from the junction on Winters Road on a gloomy summer's day.
Blind Lane Birch This is a shot of Blind lane Birch. The lane was closed from late 1942 until after WW2 as it became one of the two 1400 yard secondary runways of Birch Airfield, the last East Anglian aerodrome to be built by the USAAF in WW2. Blind lane is surfaced in tarmac the concrete in the picture is the end of the 2000 yard main runway. It is interesting to note that Blind Lane and the airfield are not marked on the 1940’s O.S map.
Blind Lane Birch
This is a shot of Blind lane Birch. The lane was closed from late 1942 until after WW2 as it became one of the two 1400 yard secondary runways of Birch Airfield, the last East Anglian aerodrome to be built by the USAAF in WW2. Blind lane is surfaced in tarmac the concrete in the picture is the end of the 2000 yard main runway. It is interesting to note that Blind Lane and the airfield are not marked on the 1940’s O.S map.
St. Peter's Church In the village of Birch
St. Peter's Church
In the village of Birch
Lake made from gravel pit There are a lot of gravel pits in the Colchester area
Lake made from gravel pit
There are a lot of gravel pits in the Colchester area
Footpath to Roundbush Farm
Footpath to Roundbush Farm
Roundbush Not Evident This is the B1022 Maldon Road at Roundbush Corner the road to the left is Roundbush Road the turn off for <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/25610">TL9217 : Layer Marney Towers</a>. In the background you can see the point where a high-tension power line goes underground it resurfaces at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/188450">TL9019 : Underground Lines</a>
Roundbush Not Evident
This is the B1022 Maldon Road at Roundbush Corner the road to the left is Roundbush Road the turn off for TL9217 : Layer Marney Towers. In the background you can see the point where a high-tension power line goes underground it resurfaces at TL9019 : Underground Lines
Duke's, near Layer Marney, Essex This was once the farmhouse of Duke's Farm.  It's an old building with a lot of history and can only be glimpsed from the road owing to surrounding trees.
Duke's, near Layer Marney, Essex
This was once the farmhouse of Duke's Farm. It's an old building with a lot of history and can only be glimpsed from the road owing to surrounding trees.
Show me another place!

Top Pond Holes is located at Grid Ref: TL9220 (Lat: 51.845746, Lng: 0.79659006)

Administrative County: Essex

District: Colchester

Police Authority: Essex

What 3 Words

///easels.tonal.poet. Near Marks Tey, Essex

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