East Point Marsh (EHER 48477)

A large area of improved grazing marsh, on the east side of Brightlingsea. Characteristic features include sea wall, borrow dyke, sinuous former creeks, and straightened drainage ditches. There is no known below ground archaeology recorded in the marsh but indications of prehistoric activity in adjacent upland areas. The grassland has been improved.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: A large area of reclaimed marshland along the east side of Brightlingsea, adjacent to Flag Creek that is thought to have been reclaimed at an early date, and certainly before the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>. The marsh is enclosed on its seaward side by a sea wall and borrow dyke. The inland boundary is the interface with higher ground, marked by an old field boundary. The area includes fields of semi-improved grassland divided by a series of straight drainage ditches, and a couple on the lines former creeks that are more sinuous in nature. Evidence for prehistoric activity is known from adjacent upland areas but no below ground archaeology has been recorded in the area to date. Character of vegetation: Grazing marsh managed for silage. Has been improved in the past. Dominated by Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne, with some Timothy Phleum pratense, Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata and Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus. Grassland strip on landward side of sea wall a mix of False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, Meadow barley Hordeum secalinum, Wild carrot Daucus carota, Crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus and Sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella. Ditches and creeks fringed with Common reed Phragmites australis and Sea club-rush Bolboschoenus maritimus and some Soft rush Juncus effusus. Threats: Further agricultural improvement Shoreline Management Plan: Could be subject to Managed Realignment from 2025. See <2>.