Northey Island facts for kids
The remains of a pair of Thames barges on Northey Island
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 Northey Island
Location in Essex
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Blackwater Estuary |
| Coordinates | 51°43′N 0°43′E / 51.72°N 0.72°E |
| Length | 1.5 km (0.93 mi) |
| Width | 1.5 km (0.93 mi) |
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England
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| County | Essex |
| Borough | Maldon |
Northey Island is a special island located in the Blackwater River estuary in Essex, England. It's connected to the mainland by a long path called a causeway. This causeway gets covered by water for about two hours before and after high tide, making the island tricky to reach sometimes!
The island is about 1 mile (2 km) east of Maldon and 1 mile (2 km) west of Osea Island. It's a unique place, known for its history and amazing wildlife.
Contents
A Glimpse into Northey Island's Past
Northey Island has a long and interesting history, including an ancient battle and efforts to change its shape.
The Battle of Maldon
In the year 991, a famous battle called the Battle of Maldon is thought to have happened right on the causeway leading to Northey Island and on the nearby riverbank. Back then, the causeway was much shorter, only about half its current length. This battle was a big event in early English history.
Changing the Island's Shape
In the early 1700s, a Dutch builder named Nicholas Van Cropenrough tried to make Northey Island bigger. He built walls to reclaim marshland from the sea. However, in 1897, the sea broke through these walls, and the land went back to being marshland. Nature reclaimed its space!
A Nobel Prize Winner's Home
In 1923, a famous writer and activist named Norman Angell bought Northey Island. He was a very important person who worked for peace. In 1933, he was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts!
Nature and Wildlife on Northey Island
Today, Northey Island is a protected area, a national nature reserve. This means it's a safe home for many different kinds of plants and animals, especially birds.
Birdlife and Local Names
Northey Island is a fantastic place for birds. You can find many different species here. There's even a place on the island called 'Awl Creek,' which is named after the 'awl,' an old Essex word for the Avocet, a beautiful wading bird.
Past Residents: The Ravens
Long ago, Northey Island was home to even more types of animals. It was one of the last places in southern England where ravens lived. The very last raven was seen leaving a part of the island called Ladies Grove in 1888.
Visiting Northey Island
Northey Island is mostly uninhabited, meaning no one lives there permanently except for a warden who looks after the island. The National Trust owns the island, which is a charity that protects historic places and natural beauty.
If you want to visit Northey Island, you need to arrange it with the warden first. It's one of 43 special islands around the British mainland that you can walk to at low tide, and one of six such islands in Essex.
