Thorney Bay – Canvey Island, Essex
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Last year I wrote a post about wanting to visit all of England’s counties, and so, we started with our own county, Essex. We decided to make the most of our weekends off, and would go for drives, and see where the world would take us. You can see things to see and do in Essex here. All photographs in the galleries can be clicked on to view larger.
You may remember our recent visit to Chafford Gorges Nature Reserve? Well, after that, we continued a drive into Essex and ended up on Canvey Island. We drove towards the seafront, parked the car and walked up to the beach.
I thought I’d do a quick bit of research into Canvey Island, since neither of us have been before. Canvey Island is a reclaimed island in the Thames Estuary with an area of 7.12 sq mi. It’s separated from the mainland of Essex by a network of creeks. It lies below sea level and is prone to flooding during exceptional high tides. There are 14 miles of high sea walls, with a population of around 44,000 living behind them.
On the night of 31st January 1953, a tidal surge came down from the North Sea flooding the island. 58 people lost their lives, and the island was evacuated.
Looking at the map of Canvey Island, I believe we were at Thorney Bay. We arrived late afternoon, but the sun was still out and it was quite warm, so we just walked along the beach and enjoyed the view across the water into Kent.
The tide was out, and there were plenty of seagulls flying about, some ferries and other ships passed by in the distance, and there were lots and lots of seashells! Since we did nothing more than just hang out, there is not much more for me to say, so I’m just going to share the photographs that I took! I really do love taking photos by the seaside, and spent time messing around with different settings on my camera too.
Ickle Pickle
July 2, 2015 @ 6:21 pm
I have never been here – your photos are beautiful – all those shells! Kaz x
Michelle Ordever
July 2, 2015 @ 6:32 pm
I want to go back, just for the shells!! I must have found the nice bit of Canvey, cos anyone I tell offline turns their nose up! Whoops! x
Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours
June 13, 2015 @ 2:20 pm
We were in essex yesterday at a wedding! Haven’t been to Canvey Island before, heard conflicting stories about it to be honest! But the beach looks gorgeous, love your photo’s x
Michelle Ordever
June 16, 2015 @ 8:03 am
To be fair, same here – my sister said she’d been there and it was horrible! I must have seen the beauty somewhere lol x
Globalmouse
June 8, 2015 @ 2:14 pm
I love your photos and I love British beaches, this one looks lovely – what a great place to visit.
Michelle Ordever
June 16, 2015 @ 8:05 am
British beaches have a lot to offer with their different types – I loved the amount of shells on the shore!
Jen Walshaw
June 7, 2015 @ 9:25 pm
Oh I love the shells. I have never been to Essex!
Michelle Ordever
June 16, 2015 @ 8:03 am
They are so pretty aren’t they? The beach was covered in them!
Sarah Bailey
June 7, 2015 @ 12:10 am
Wow what a stunning looking place to visit! Amazing pictures. x
Michelle Ordever
June 16, 2015 @ 8:05 am
Thank you! x
Michelle Ashmore
June 5, 2015 @ 10:55 pm
My girls would have a field day with all those shells!
Michelle Ordever
June 16, 2015 @ 8:04 am
Seashells are such awesome natural treasures!
Claire Toplis
June 5, 2015 @ 7:03 pm
Gorgeous photos , I really like the ones of the shells , you a re a great picture taker
Michelle Ordever
June 16, 2015 @ 8:03 am
Thank you Claire x