Burnham-On-Crouch

Settlement in Essex Maldon

England

Burnham-On-Crouch

Old pontoons at Wallasea Marina These wooden pontoons, now beached, abandoned and decaying on the saltings, once formed part of the WW2 coastal defence booms in the wider Thames Estuary.
A few of the many hundreds originally deployed were repurposed at the end of hostilities to form a floating dock at Wallasea marina and remained in service for some years before being replaced with the current modern pontoon berths — Old pontoons at Wallasea Marina Credit: John Myers

Burnham-On-Crouch is a charming town located on the north bank of the River Crouch in the county of Essex, England. Situated about 60 miles northeast of London, Burnham-On-Crouch is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful coastal retreat.

The town has a rich maritime history, with a long-established connection to sailing and fishing. The picturesque Burnham-on-Crouch Yacht Club, founded in 1893, is one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in the UK. It attracts sailors from around the world who come to enjoy the excellent sailing conditions on the River Crouch and the nearby North Sea.

Visitors to Burnham-On-Crouch can explore its quaint streets lined with traditional houses, many of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The town also boasts a selection of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, offering a range of local produce and freshly caught seafood.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the town's proximity to the Dengie Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is home to a variety of bird species, including migratory birds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. The marshes and creeks that surround the town are also ideal for leisurely walks and wildlife spotting.

For those interested in history, Burnham-On-Crouch is home to several historic landmarks, including St. Mary's Church, a Grade I listed building dating back to the 13th century. The town also hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Burnham Week regatta and the Burnham Art Trail, which showcase the town's vibrant community spirit.

In summary, Burnham-On-Crouch is a delightful coastal town that offers a perfect mix of maritime heritage, natural beauty, and relaxing charm, making it an attractive destination for locals and visitors alike.

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Burnham-On-Crouch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.625213/0.817738 or Grid Reference TQ9595. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old pontoons at Wallasea Marina

These wooden pontoons, now beached, abandoned and decaying on the saltings, once formed part of the WW2 coastal defence booms in the wider Thames Estuary. A few of the many hundreds originally deployed were repurposed at the end of hostilities to form a floating dock at Wallasea marina and remained in service for some years before being replaced with the current modern pontoon berths

John Myers

Grapnells Farm

John Myers

Anti-predator ditch and fence

The ditch encloses the Marsh Flats grazing area and lagoons - a major nesting area within the reserve

John Myers

Anti-predator ditch and fence

Western perimeter of Marsh Flats

John Myers

War Memorial

Burnham-on-Crouch

John Myers

Burnham Wick sluice

Pannel's Brook and solar farm

John Myers

Burnham Yacht Harbour Marina

John Myers

Channel through the mudflats - RSPB Wallasea Island

The following adapted from the RSPB website Link

"The reserve covers more than 740ha, with all of the arable farmland now transformed to saltmarsh, mudflats, lagoons and grazing marsh. There are six walking trails – Jubilee Marsh, Allfleets Marsh, Marsh Flats, South Trail, New Pool Trail and Beagle Trail, making over 15km of trail on the reserve. At the ends of Allfleets Marsh trail and Jubilee Marsh trail are two shelters providing a comfortable place to sit overlooking the river. To create this magical landscape of marshland, lagoons, ditches and sea, more than three million tonnes of earth was brought by boat from the tunnels and shafts created by the Crossrail scheme in London. This allowed us to raise the land above sea level and place the soil in a way that created a new 115-hectare intertidal area of saltmarsh, islands and mudflats (known as Jubilee Marsh). In addition, Crossrail helped us create saline lagoons, a creek network and grazing marsh. All of which means Wallasea Island is now a wildlife-rich habitat and a great place to visit. Wallasea Island sits within a Special Protection Area which covers the Crouch and Roach estuaries, and which is special for overwintering waders and wildfowl including Brent Geese. Our work here increases the habitat for these birds both whilst roosting and feeding, as well as creating new grassland areas (wet and dry). The intertidal areas have been designed with climate change in mind, with long shallow slopes from the new seawall providing space for the saltmarsh to creep up as sea levels rise."

Roger Jones

Church Hall sluice

Taken at the point where Paglesham Pool morphs into Paglesham Creek.

David Kemp

Footbridge at Church Hall sluice

Taken at the point where Paglesham Pool morphs into Paglesham Creek.

David Kemp

Burnham-on-Crouch Station

Towards Southminster

John Myers

Merit unloading at Baltic Wharf, Wallasea Island

General Cargo ship Merit, in from Riga with a load of timber. View from near Burnham Marina

John Myers

Burnham-on-Crouch Boat Remains

Just out of Burnham-on-Crouch at Ringwood Bar walking along the coastal path one comes to the first of a series of abandoned rotting boat carcasses. It looked to me like the remains of a Viking longboat which it most certainly was not. Doubtless the wind here would once have propelled the boat along the river Crouch, now it propels the wind turbine, one of many, seen on the horizon. A changing face of industry.

John Kingdon

Burnham-on-Crouch Sunset

Looking west at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club as the sun just dipped below the horizon. Although a cold day was coming to an end already the pubs in town were bustling as a Friday night was starting.

John Kingdon

Creeksea Place - north frontage

Creeksea Place dates from 1569 but has been extensively rebuilt and added to over the centuries. Today the main house and its ancillary buildings serve a variety of leisure and social purposes.

David Kemp

Creeksea Place - north frontage & extension

Creeksea Place dates from 1569 but has been extensively rebuilt and added to over the centuries. Today the main house and its ancillary buildings serve a variety of leisure and social purposes.

David Kemp

Parlour CafÃ©, Creeksea Place

Creeksea Place and its ancillary buildings have been developed as a centre for various functions including a wedding venue, a spa and fitness facility and two cafés one of which is seen here.

David Kemp