North Fambridge Marsh (EHER 48437)

A small area of highly improved grassland sited between Fambridge and an area of managed retreat. There is no sea-wall. A small circular pond dating to the 1920s is shown on the 3rd edition. OS map, it is still extant.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: The marsh was reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>, at which date it formed the inward portion of a larger marsh. The majority of this marsh has been lost to managed retreat, leaving this small area of grassland at the marsh/dryland interface. There is no sea-wall between the managed retreat and the grassland. The only surviving feature is a small circular pond, now surrounded by trees, which is depicted on the 1920s 3rd edition OS map <2>. Character of vegetation: Agricultural grazing, little botanical interest. Dominated by Perennial Ryegrass Lolium perenne, Bent-grasses Agrostis spp., Red Fescue Festuca rubra and Meadow Barley Hordeum marinum. Threats: The grazing marsh vegetation has already been largely lost. It is further threatened by lack of traditional management. See <3>.