TOLLESBURY

The village of Tollesbury has come to be known as the “The Village of the Plough and Sail”, as depicted in the jaunty sign at the entrance to the village. It is ideally situated for sailing, given its geographical position on a peninsula, surrounded by the creeks and channels of Tollesbury Fleet to the north, and the River Blackwater to the south, and there is a marina and a sailing club in the village. The white painted wooden boathouses with their balconies and ladders make a picturesque sight. The ‘plough’ part of the title comes from the fact that Tollesbury had an important role in transporting grain. There is a large wooden granary in the village which became disused during the 1950s, and which was a regional runner-up in the BBC’s Restoration series. One of the vessels used in the Dunkirk Evacuations is a barge named Tollesbury. There is plenty of interest for wildlife enthusiasts in the surrounding marshes. The area around Tollesbury is also known for its oyster cultivation. Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and sightings there include Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers and Short-eared owls, as well as a variety of mammals and insects.

Map of the area.

Tollesbury Marina 06 (7275070840). Photo by Ronnie Macdonald, via Wikimedia Commons