North Fambridge Marsh (EHER 48435)

An area of ‘unimproved’ grassland located to the north of Bridgemarsh Creek and Island. The earthworks relating to several phases of sea-wall construction as well as numerous former creeks survive. A small pond on the northern edge of the area is modern in date.

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. Within the marsh area there are several phases of earlier sea-wall, surviving as low earth-works. The drainage ditches are sinuous in form, they are depicted on the 1st edition OS map. The aerial photographs show within this framework a complex network of former creeks and inlets, surviving as very shallow earthworks and differential vegetation growth. The remnants of a post-medieval causeway, comprising rubble and timbers, linking the mainland with Bridgemarsh Island have been recorded at the south-east corner of the marsh in the inter-tidal zone. Character of vegetation: Grassland dominated by Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Meadow Barley Hordeum marinum, Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera, and Perennial Ryegrass Lolium perenne. Drains and creeks contain aquatic plants Fennel pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus and Beaked tasselweed Ruppia maritima, and some rare Soft hornwort Certophyllum submersum. Threats: The vegetation is threatened by run-off and saltwater flooding. See <3>.