Birch

Settlement in Essex Colchester

England

Birch

St Mary's Church Layer Breton
St Mary's Church Layer Breton Credit: PAUL FARMER

Birch is a small village located in the county of Essex, England. Situated approximately 6 miles to the east of Colchester, Birch is a peaceful and picturesque rural community. The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside, including rolling hills and lush green fields, making it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a tranquil setting.

Birch is home to a close-knit community of residents who enjoy the village's relaxed atmosphere and friendly ambiance. The village features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, with charming cottages and well-maintained houses dotting the landscape. The local parish church, St. Peter's, stands as a prominent landmark, dating back to the 12th century and offering a glimpse into the village's rich history.

Despite its small size, Birch offers a number of amenities and services to its residents. These include a village hall, where various community events and gatherings take place, a primary school providing education for local children, and a village pub that serves as a social hub for the community.

For those in search of recreational activities, Birch is surrounded by numerous walking and cycling paths, allowing residents to explore the stunning countryside and enjoy the fresh air. Additionally, the nearby town of Colchester offers a wide range of amenities, including shopping centers, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Overall, Birch, Essex is a charming village that offers a peaceful and idyllic lifestyle, making it an appealing place to reside for those seeking a close-knit community in the heart of the English countryside.

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Birch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.845012/0.81865872 or Grid Reference TL9420. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Mary's Church Layer Breton
St Mary's Church Layer Breton
Birch: Fields
Birch: Fields
Birch, St. Peter's Church: Western aspect occluded by trees
Birch, St. Peter's Church: Western aspect occluded by trees
Birch: 'Linden House'
Birch: 'Linden House'
Birch Church of England Primary School
Birch Church of England Primary School
Birch: Plaque to show that three trees were planted in 1995 to remember V.E. Day and V.J. Day
Birch: Plaque to show that three trees were planted in 1995 to remember V.E. Day and V.J. Day
Birch: Craxe's Green road junction
Birch: Craxe's Green road junction
Birch: Unharvested maize crop
Birch: Unharvested maize crop
Birch: Unharvested maize crop
Birch: Unharvested maize crop
Birch: Harvested field
Birch: Harvested field
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.
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
New Hedge in Pudding Lane When I was a nipper I remember the hedges round here 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 are just completing  a days work 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 start of the days toil at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3352267">TL9419 : New Hedge In Birch Green</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 Pudding Lane
When I was a nipper I remember the hedges round here 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 are just completing a days work 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 start of the days toil at TL9419 : New Hedge In Birch Green and the results of a previous sortie at TL9318 : New Hedge on Winter's Hill
New Hedge on Winter's Hill When I was a nipper I remember the hedges round here 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> The restoration of the hedge was carried out by 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>. The planting stretches as far as the hedge that remains by the trees in the far distance. Replanting was with a mixture of native species. This work 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 some more of the project at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3352267">TL9419 : New Hedge In Birch Green</a>
New Hedge on Winter's Hill
When I was a nipper I remember the hedges round here 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 The restoration of the hedge was carried out by volunteers from the Essex Wildlife Trust LinkExternal link. The planting stretches as far as the hedge that remains by the trees in the far distance. Replanting was with a mixture of native species. This work 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 some more of the project at TL9419 : New Hedge In Birch Green
Layer Breton Heath Layer Breton Heath is currently being actively restored to a more traditional heathland, with the thinning of birches and management of gorse: The intention  is to restore a significant amount back to acid grassland, while retaining woodland and several large areas of scrub. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.bretonheath.me.uk/LB-heath.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.bretonheath.me.uk/LB-heath.htm">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> <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.webcitation.org/6GRJAokbg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.webcitation.org/6GRJAokbg">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>
Layer Breton Heath
Layer Breton Heath is currently being actively restored to a more traditional heathland, with the thinning of birches and management of gorse: The intention is to restore a significant amount back to acid grassland, while retaining woodland and several large areas of scrub. See LinkExternal link LinkExternal link
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Birch is located at Grid Ref: TL9420 (Lat: 51.845012, Lng: 0.81865872)

Administrative County: Essex

District: Colchester

Police Authority: Essex

What 3 Words

///unloaded.dazzling.sensual. Near Layer de la Haye, Essex

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.845012,0.81865872
Birch
Created By: Potlatch 0.10b
Place: village
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 51.8449642/0.8202519
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Brand Wikipedia: en:Royal Mail
Drive Through: no
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: CO2 120
Lat/Long: 51.8427965/0.8204198
Birch Memorial Hall
Historic: memorial
Lat/Long: 51.8427569/0.8206157
Bus Stop
Lower Road
Naptan AtcoCode: 1500IM1547
Naptan Bearing: S
Naptan BusStopType: CUS
Naptan CommonName: Lower Road
Naptan Crossing: Lower Road
Naptan Indicator: Adj
Naptan Landmark: Lower Road
Naptan NaptanCode: esxadjwa
Naptan Street: Maldon Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.8460107/0.8140726
Bus Stop
Lower Road
Naptan AtcoCode: 1500IM1547Y
Naptan Bearing: N
Naptan BusStopType: CUS
Naptan CommonName: Lower Road
Naptan Crossing: Lower Road
Naptan Indicator: Opp
Naptan Landmark: Lower Road
Naptan NaptanCode: esxjadwt
Naptan Street: Maldon Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.8457451/0.8138
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: outside Birch Memorial Hall
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Ref GB The Circuit: 1755F6A1-268A-48AB-B3DC-AE76009EEF0D
Lat/Long: 51.8428142/0.820691
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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