Oakley Creek

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Essex Tendring

England

Oakley Creek

Group of trees near bridleway, Little Oakley Credit: Roger Jones

Oakley Creek is a picturesque waterway located in Essex, England. Situated near the small town of Oakley, this creek flows into the North Sea, making it an estuary. With its tranquil surroundings and diverse wildlife, Oakley Creek is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

The creek stretches approximately 7 kilometers in length, meandering through lush marshlands and reed beds. The estuarine environment of Oakley Creek provides a diverse habitat for numerous species of plants and animals. The water is brackish, a mixture of saltwater from the sea and freshwater from rivers and rainfall, supporting a variety of marine life.

At low tide, the creek reveals a vast expanse of mudflats, which are important feeding grounds for wading birds such as curlews, oystercatchers, and sandpipers. These mudflats also attract numerous species of migratory birds during their annual journeys. Birdwatchers flock to Oakley Creek to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

The surrounding marshlands are home to a wide range of plant species, including saltmarsh grasses and reeds. These provide shelter and nesting sites for various bird species and serve as a vital breeding ground for fish and crustaceans.

The creek is accessible to visitors via footpaths and observation points along its banks. These vantage points offer stunning views of the estuary, especially during sunset when the sky is painted with vibrant hues. Oakley Creek provides opportunities for leisurely walks, birdwatching, and photography, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

Overall, Oakley Creek is a hidden gem in Essex, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Its diverse ecosystem and scenic landscapes make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility by the water's edge.

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Oakley Creek Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.891335/1.230638 or Grid Reference TM2226. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Group of trees near bridleway, Little Oakley

Roger Jones

Private walkway, Hamford Water National Nature Reserve

This walkway on Hamford Water National Nature Reserve Link

is marked 'private' for the use of Little Oakley and District Wildfowlers’ Association. Hamford Water is also a SSSI.

Roger Jones

Bridleway to Little Oakley Hall farm

Roger Jones

Island Point North Cardinal Buoy

Helping to keep vessels from running aground on Mussel Scarfe, this buoy directs traffic to pass it to the north as it exits Walton Channel and joins the Hamford Water. At night a quick white flashing light is emitted.

Ian Paterson

Up Kirby Creek

Dinghies sailing out of Kirby Creek from the direction of Honey Island.

Ian Paterson

Approaching the sea wall from Little Oakley

The sea wall, seen here along the skyline, separates low land on this side from the sea and salt marshes at a higher level beyond. The muddy marshes beyond the wall at this point have the graphic name of "Bull's Ooze".

Zorba the Geek

Looking west towards Great Oakley Dock

This view, shortly after high tide, shows graphically the contrast of levels on the sea and land sides of the sea wall. Detail of the warning signs appear in another image TM2127 : You have been warned!.

Zorba the Geek

You have been warned!

Beyond this point is an explosives factory, Great Oakley Works, operated by "exchem" and situated on an isolated promontory projecting into the salt marshes, quite effectively isolated, in fact.

Zorba the Geek

Wildfowlers' walkway on an ebbing tide

An hour before, all but the approach road was submerged. A passing member of the LODWA explained that his association had bought the marshes hereabouts and operated under the supervision of English Nature. The walkway is protected by a private sign; along its length a number of small boats are tied up. See TM2227 : Wildfowler's walkway leading to Bull's Ooze for one of several alternative views by Portsbob.

Zorba the Geek

Wildfowlers' jetty shortly after high tide

Compare TM2227 : Wildfowlers' walkway on an ebbing tide. This image represents the situation some 90 to 120 minutes after high tide, with the jetty still inaccessible except in waders.

Zorba the Geek

Looking south across Bull's Ooze

The LODWA warns you off this low jetty, which leads to a number of wildfowlers' boats out in this muddy saltmarsh north of Hamford Water. The whole area here was fictionalised in Arthur Ransome's "Secret Water" Link

and this part was called "Northern Sea".

Zorba the Geek

Bend in the sea wall near wildfowlers' jetty

Water levels are still high up to 2 hours after high tide, still covering the mud and salt marshes.

Zorba the Geek

Track towards the marshes

Just down the road passing Little Oakley Sewage Works, this side track branches off towards the sea while the main track to the right leads to an informal car park for wildfowlers. This is private land.

Zorba the Geek

Road heading back to Little Oakley

Look right and you see TM2228 : Track towards the marshes, look left and you are facing north-west back towards the rising ground of Little Oakley and the road passing the sewage works.

Zorba the Geek

Salt marsh meets salt water

The separation between marsh and open sea is very marginal here, especially after damage done in recent surge tides to the slight ridge between sea and marsh.

Zorba the Geek

The sweep of the sea wall

The sea wall sweeps round to the north at it approaches the actual shore at Irlam's Beach. Off to the extreme left are the cranes of Felixstowe docks and the white dot in the field was a swan grazing on the new shoots of an autumn-sown grain crop.

Zorba the Geek

Distant view of explosives factory

Great Oakley Works on Bramble Island (more a promontory than an island) is remote and hard to reach, protected on three sides by mud flats and salt marshes. A geograph is perhaps only possible from a small boat. More info from Wikipedia: Link

plus this: Link

Zorba the Geek

Bramble Island and Oakley Creek

On the edge of Great Oakley works, we can see the silhouette of a water tower, perhaps, and a military-looking vessel in Oakley Creek heading away from the factory towards Harwich or Felixstowe.

Zorba the Geek

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Oakley Creek is located at Grid Ref: TM2226 (Lat: 51.891335, Lng: 1.230638)

Administrative County: Essex

District: Tendring

Police Authority: Essex