Bridgemarsh Island is about 3 miles upriver from Burnham on Crouch within the Parish of Althorne.

Good views of the island can be taken from the main South Woodham Ferrers to Burnham road. This view shows that today the island is mainly marshland which is frequently overrun by high tides. The tower blocks of Southend on Sea can be seen on the opposite River bank.

The island has a long history of cultivation by man. Records exist of a bad flood in 1736 following which it was drained, piled and enclosed by a sea wall.

Following the protection the island was used for cattle and sheep with additional uses from hunting the abundant wild duck and catching eels which proliferated in the internal dykes.

A causeway was constructed from Stamford Farm which allowed access to the island at low tide. The causeway was never entirely dry although it was easily fordable.

During a bad flood in 1897 the sea wall was breached and some livestock was drowned. Although some repairs were carried out part of the island was lost to the river for ever.

Farming was supplemented by industry with the island used for clay extraction and then the development of a brick and tile works fed by a tramway linking the works to the quay on the Riverside which was serviced by Thames Barges. Fredrick Bradbrook and James Bates worked the site in 1870 and then The Bridgemarsh Brickfields Co. Limited worked the site from 1878 to 1882. Problems with the location and the need to use a wash pan to separate the clay from stones proved that this location was not viable and in 1892 the brickworks were abandoned.

Despite the warning no serious effort was made to maintain the seawalls which suffered further damage by floods in 1928.

The great floods of 1953 provided the final nail for Bridgemarsh Island. The whole of the east coast suffered serious flooding. The clay base at Bridgemarsh was used by servicemen to fill sandbags that were used to protect other areas of the coastline. Ironically Bridgemarsh itself was not protected from the flood and surrendered to the sea.

Remnants of the old farmhouse and some seawalls can still be seen at low tide. The island is now a haven for wildlife and salt marsh flowers that can flourish without the attention from man for the first time for hundreds of years. 

Foulness Island, Potton Island, Rushley Island, Havengore Island, New England Island

 All of the above islands are found in the River Crouch or its tributary the River Roach.

River Blackwater

Pewit Island  

Pewit Island is sited in the mouth of Bradwell Creek..

The island is unprotected marshland which provides protection to craft entering and leaving Bradwell Marina.

Pewit Island has never been inhabited or used for farming purposes and remains a haven for sea birds.

Ramsey Island       

Ramsey Island is about 2 miles upriver from Pewit Island.

Thanks to the sea defence works Ramsey Island is no longer a real island having been reclaimed to the extent that it merges with nearby St Lawrence Village. It is only at times of flood that it returns to its island status. Thanks to the sea defence works Ramsey Island is no longer a real island having been reclaimed to the extent that it merges with nearby St Lawrence Village. It is only at times of flood that it returns to its island status.

The area is punctuated with dykes and other evidence of the reclamations that has been ongoing since the 10th century.

Ramsey Island is rich in history having been frequented by the Romans who used the area for salt production as evidences by the presence of a 'red hill' which is an indicator of the production.

 Northey and Osea Islands

Further Information

Local Author Ian Yearsley has written an excellent book called Islands of Essex which provides much more details on our islands.