Great Wakering Marsh (EHER 48415)

Two fields of improved grazing marsh that retain indications of former creeks located on the main land to the south of Havengore Creek.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: Two fields of improved grazing marsh that retain indications of former creeks located on the main land to the south of Havengore Creek. Sea wall and borrow dyke stand on the northern side of the marsh, southern and western boundaries are sinuous, water-filled former creeks. Interior includes straight drainage, ‘stetch’ cultivation and other linear surface drains. A series of clay extraction pits lies along the southern side and a WWII minefield is recorded along the northern edge. Marshland in this area was mostly reclaimed in medieval and Tudor times and the marsh was certainly reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>. A substantial sea wall and borrow dyke stand on the northern side of the marsh, along Havengore Creek, whilst the southern and western boundaries are sinuous, water-filled former creeks. A water-filled creek also divides the marsh into two fields, but straight drainage ditches, ‘stetch’ cultivation and other linear surface drains are also present in the interior. A series of clay extraction pits lies along the southern side associated with the post medieval brick fields located to the east. A Second World War minefield (EHER 20814) is recorded along the northern edge. See <2>