가장 멋진 명소 20곳

Ensure you check the local tide table as the Strood often floods at high tide.

Osea Island is a relatively unknown Essex retreat in the Blackwater Estuary with private beaches, no shops or restaurants and mainly self catering accommodation.

The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall is one of the oldest churches and oldest buildings still in regular use in the country. Built in 653 by Bishop Cedd it's been a small church for almost 2,000 years.

Opening times aren't fully reliable so might be a bit hit and miss but fortunately there are a number of other seafood places nearby if you're unlucky here.

The only road access to Mersea so make sure you don't spend too long on the island if the tide has started to turn or you could have a long wait to leave again.

One of the oldest functioning buildings in the country, and built on the gateway of an even older Roman shore fort. The chapel is kept open for visitors. Be aware it's reached by a 0.7km unmade stone path after the tarmac ends at the car park - fine with a gravel bike or if you go carefully on a road bike in decent weather.

Right at the end of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation sits Heybridge Basin. Home of the sea lock which releases the canal out to sea. The basin meant that sea vessels could enter the canal and travel all the way up to Chelmsford. There are two pubs here, the Jolly Sailor and the Old Ship, plus the Lock Tea Room if you are in need of a pitstop.

A tidal causeway known as The Stumble connects Osea Island with the mainland. Sadly the island isn't open to the public but you can visit by staying in the island's hotel. It was used in the 2012 film 'The Woman in Black' as the 'Nine Lives Causeway'. It is popular with musicians looking for a remote recording venue. Rhianna is said to have recorded an album there in 2019.