Walton le Soken Marshes (EHER 48487)

A large area of mainly improved marshland on the south side of Hamford Water, with sea wall and borrow dyke demarcating three sides and straight drainage ditches internally and on its landward side. It contains numerous records for red hill salt making sites and a Second World War heavy anti-aircraft gun site with surviving buildings. The grassland has been improved.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: This area consists of large open fields that appear to have been well drained and their boundaries straightened. Sluices are recorded in the sea wall on the 1st edition OS map <1>. The area probably was not reclaimed until the early 19th century but evidence of former sea walls suggest more than one period of reclamation. An area of relict salt marsh survives on the western side. The sea walls and borrow dykes still exists along the east and west side of the area, while the area to the north has been developed into a marina and boat park and the borrow dykes have been lost. Very few other features associated with the grazing marsh are still visible; however, a number of red hills/salterns are recorded in the area. Other recorded features include a length of sea wall, a possible ring-ditch, former field boundaries and the location of a former 4-gun gun emplacement, which has been destroyed, although associated buildings/huts survive. Character of vegetation: Heavily improved, of little botanical interest. Dominated by Bent grasses Agrostis spp., Meadow grass Poa spp. and Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne. Hedgerow along field boundaries. Threats: Threatened by further agricultural improvement and flooding. Shoreline Management Plan: Western side could be subject to managed realignment from the present, the rest is hold the line to 2105. See <2>.