Steeple Marsh (EHER 48451)

A large irregular area of highly improved grazing marsh sited to the west of Steeple on Mayland Creek. The sea wall survives on the western side. Internally some straight drainage ditches survive. Small area in the centre close to Hills Farm survives slightly better although still improved. Slipway to the historic landing-place survives. There are a range of oyster pits recorded in front of the sea wall.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: The marsh was largely reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>, although the area around the creek leading to Steeple and St Lawrence Church seems to have remained open. The reclamation was completed by the time of the 1st edition OS map survives <2>. The sea wall survives, although it has been altered. The area is subdivided into fields and paddocks, largely by straight ditches. A track-way links the marsh to the historic village of Steeple and the medieval church of St Lawrence. At the end of the track is the site of an old quay, shown on a map of 1748. The slipway for this is till extant. There is an extensive line of oyster pits visible in the saltings in front of the sea wall which could be accessed from the slipway. Character of vegetation: Highly improved, of little botanical interest. Dominated by Bent grasses Agrostis spp., Meadow grasses Poa spp. and Fescues Festuca spp. Threats: Biodiversity – The grazing marsh vegetation is already lost. Further threatened by further agricultural improvement. See <3>.