Stow Marsh (EHER 48434)

A large area of improved grazing marsh sited between Clementsgreen Creek and Stow Creek on the northern bank of the Crouch Estuary.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: The marsh was reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>. The sea wall depicted on the 1st edition OS map <2> survives, although it has been altered. In the north-east corner of the marsh was a complex of barns, stockyards, a landing-stage, windpump and coal-yard, these are recorded on the 1st edition OS map, and part of the complex is still extant. Associated are with the landing-stage are the wrecks of two ships. It was accessed by a trackway from Little Gayes Farm which is located immediately to the north on the dryland side of the dryland/marsh interface. The drainage ditches comprise a mix of sinuous and regular ditches, with the former surviving best in the western half of the area. The pattern of fields has remained the same since 1st edition OS map. The only archaeological features recorded within this area comprise two bomb craters. A number of sites were identified on the foreshore by the Hullbridge survey, including the remains of a sunken forest. The saltings on the eastern side of the marsh contain a string of oyster pits. Character of vegetation: Grassland product of arable reversion. Eastern area heavily improved and grazed, Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense frequent in this area with short sward of Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne and Bent-grasses Agrostis spp. Rest of the area dominated by Bent-grasses Agrostis spp., Perennial Ryegrass Lolium perenne, Red Fescue Festuca rubra and Meadow Barley Hordeum secalinum. Threats: The marsh vegetation has already been largely lost, but the area is important for birds. The eastern half is threatened by overgrazing. The rest of the area threatened by lack of traditional management and agricultural improvement. See <3> <4>.