Broad Fleet

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Essex Colchester

England

Broad Fleet

St. Edmund Church, East Mersea <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Mersea" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Mersea">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>
St. Edmund Church, East Mersea Credit: PAUL FARMER

Broad Fleet is a picturesque body of water located in Essex, England. This freshwater ecosystem is made up of a combination of a lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh, creating a diverse and vibrant habitat for various plant and animal species.

The lake in Broad Fleet is characterized by its calm and tranquil waters, which are surrounded by lush greenery and tall reeds. It serves as a breeding ground and home to many waterfowl species such as swans, ducks, and geese. The lake also supports a rich array of aquatic plants, including water lilies and reed beds, providing shelter and food for many aquatic organisms.

Adjacent to the lake is a pool, which is slightly smaller in size but equally important in terms of biodiversity. The pool is home to a variety of fish species, such as perch, roach, and bream, attracting anglers from the surrounding areas. The clear waters of the pool allow for excellent visibility, making it a popular spot for underwater photography enthusiasts.

Surrounding the lake and pool is a pond, which is shallower and supports a different range of plant and animal life. This habitat is characterized by floating plants, such as water hyacinths and duckweed, which provide cover for small fish and amphibians. The pond is also home to a variety of insects, including dragonflies and water beetles.

Finally, the freshwater marsh in Broad Fleet is an area of wetland that is dominated by tall grasses and sedges. This marshland serves as a crucial habitat for many bird species, particularly during the nesting season. It provides them with ample food sources in the form of insects and small mammals.

Overall, Broad Fleet in Essex is a diverse and thriving freshwater ecosystem, encompassing a lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh. The combination of these habitats creates a haven for a wide range of plant and animal species, making it an important site for conservation and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Broad Fleet Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.80394/0.96120989 or Grid Reference TM0415. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St. Edmund Church, East Mersea <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Mersea" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Mersea">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>
St. Edmund Church, East Mersea
Aerial View of the Grid This view of the grid and surrounding grids shows how isolated this area is.
Aerial View of the Grid
This view of the grid and surrounding grids shows how isolated this area is.
Path & Old Hut on Fingringhoe Range For one day a year (the first Sunday of August) the guns of Fingringhoe Ranges fall silent for 
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3585348">TM0218 : The Five Parishes Show</a> (Peldon, Abberton, Gt Wigborough, Langenhoe & Little Wigborough). The general public are allowed access to the Ranges, there is no prohibition against walking around on the formal paths. Straying from these could prove very unpleasant due to unexploded ordnance.
Path & Old Hut on Fingringhoe Range
For one day a year (the first Sunday of August) the guns of Fingringhoe Ranges fall silent for TM0218 : The Five Parishes Show (Peldon, Abberton, Gt Wigborough, Langenhoe & Little Wigborough). The general public are allowed access to the Ranges, there is no prohibition against walking around on the formal paths. Straying from these could prove very unpleasant due to unexploded ordnance.
Fork in a Path on Fingringhoe Range Both of these paths on <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3585351">TM0218 : Fingringhoe Ranges</a> eventually reach the sea wall on the Pyefleet Channel
Fork in a Path on Fingringhoe Range
Both of these paths on TM0218 : Fingringhoe Ranges eventually reach the sea wall on the Pyefleet Channel
Path to the Pyefleet Channel This track on <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3585351">TM0218 : Fingringhoe Ranges</a> eventually reaches the sea wall nearly 
opposite <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/47503">TM0316 : Reeves Hall # 1</a> sluice on Mersea Island
Path to the Pyefleet Channel
This track on TM0218 : Fingringhoe Ranges eventually reaches the sea wall nearly opposite TM0316 : Reeves Hall # 1 sluice on Mersea Island
Parish church of St Edmund King and Martyr Seen from the carpark off Church Lane, it is grade I listed building dating from the 12th or 13th centuries 
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-417631-parish-church-of-st-edmund-king-and-mart" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-417631-parish-church-of-st-edmund-king-and-mart">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>
Parish church of St Edmund King and Martyr
Seen from the carpark off Church Lane, it is grade I listed building dating from the 12th or 13th centuries LinkExternal link
Triangulation pillar near Bocking Hall
Triangulation pillar near Bocking Hall
St Edmund's Church, East Mersea St Edmund, King and Martyr church in East Mersea was one of the few moated churches in the country, enclosing five acres, parts of the moat still remaining. The area is thought to have been the camp of the Viking Hasten, who spent two winters in Mersea and plundered the country as far as Chester.
St Edmund's Church, East Mersea
St Edmund, King and Martyr church in East Mersea was one of the few moated churches in the country, enclosing five acres, parts of the moat still remaining. The area is thought to have been the camp of the Viking Hasten, who spent two winters in Mersea and plundered the country as far as Chester.
The grave of Sarah Wrench (1833-1848) Tales of witchcraft surround this unfortunate girl but the truth is probably more prosaic involving perhaps a baby out of wedlock or suicide. Much has been written about her. She is interred to the north side of East Mersea church and her grave is unusually caged for protection. The cage is known as a mortsafe.
The grave of Sarah Wrench (1833-1848)
Tales of witchcraft surround this unfortunate girl but the truth is probably more prosaic involving perhaps a baby out of wedlock or suicide. Much has been written about her. She is interred to the north side of East Mersea church and her grave is unusually caged for protection. The cage is known as a mortsafe.
Easter window display in East Mersea Church
Easter window display in East Mersea Church
At East Mersea Looking westwards to the village hall
At East Mersea
Looking westwards to the village hall
Pub and next door cottage - East Mersea The pub is called "The Dog and Pheasant"
Pub and next door cottage - East Mersea
The pub is called "The Dog and Pheasant"
Barn in the Woods North of Mitchell's Farm. The property is known as "Fishponds".
Barn in the Woods
North of Mitchell's Farm. The property is known as "Fishponds".
Broad Fleet in April
Broad Fleet in April
View towards Pyefleet Channel From the seawall that protects the farming land still known as Reeveshall Marsh.
View towards Pyefleet Channel
From the seawall that protects the farming land still known as Reeveshall Marsh.
View of Pewit Island From the sea wall that defends Reeveshall Marsh. Pewit Island was once a little hive of industry with regard to oyster farming but that muddy island activity has now ceased.
View of Pewit Island
From the sea wall that defends Reeveshall Marsh. Pewit Island was once a little hive of industry with regard to oyster farming but that muddy island activity has now ceased.
On the sea wall north of Maydays Marsh Looking out to Pyefleet Channel as the tide comes in.
On the sea wall north of Maydays Marsh
Looking out to Pyefleet Channel as the tide comes in.
Reeveshall Marsh View Whilst walking on the sea wall path with Pyefleet Channel to the right.
Reeveshall Marsh View
Whilst walking on the sea wall path with Pyefleet Channel to the right.
Show me another place!

Broad Fleet is located at Grid Ref: TM0415 (Lat: 51.80394, Lng: 0.96120989)

Administrative County: Essex

District: Colchester

Police Authority: Essex

What 3 Words

///socialite.november.goodness. Near West Mersea, Essex

Nearby Locations

Broad Fleet

Related Wikis

Colne Estuary

Colne Estuary is a 2915 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Brightlingsea in Essex. It is also a Nature Conservation...

Mersea Island

Mersea Island is an island in Essex, England, in the Blackwater and Colne estuaries to the south-east of Colchester. Its name comes from the Old English...

East Mersea

East Mersea is a village and civil parish on Mersea Island in the City of Colchester district of Essex, England. It was historically referred to as Mersea...

Barrow Hill, Essex

Barrow Hill is a hamlet in Essex, England. It is located on Mersea Island, approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) north-northeast of West Mersea near to where the...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.80394,0.96120989
Reeveshall Marsh
Place: locality
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 51.8066252/0.9642613
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Broad Fleet?

Leave your review of Broad Fleet below (or comments, questions and feedback).