The wood which consists of around 80 acres of ancient woodland is in Thundersley, bordering on Rayleigh and Hadleigh. It belonged to the Dean and Chapter of St Pauls Cathedral for at least 200 years. West Wood is now owned by Castle Point Borough Council and managed by Castle Point Wildlife Group. The group is now a charity

A main feature running through the wood is Prittle Brook. It starts somewhere to the West of the wood. There are two feeds coming into the wood near to Prittle Close. It runs from West to East across the wood. It eventually discharges into the River Roach near Stambridge Mills.

There is a one and a quarter mile circular walk through the wood.

The group are looking for volunteers, see their website for information.

The main entrance is from the A129 Rayleigh Road, Thundersley. The entrance is opposite Windsor Gardens. There is no parking in the woods but parking is available in Windsor Gardens or surrounding roads.
There are also entrances to the woods from Daws Heath Road, Westbourne Close, Hedge Lane and via The Gill

See West Wood on Google Maps  /   Castle Point Wildlife Group website