Osea Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Osea Island |
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 Osea Island
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| OS grid reference | TL913065 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Maldon |
| Postcode district | CM9 |
| Dialling code | 01621 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Osea Island is an inhabited island in the estuary of the River Blackwater in Essex, East England. It's about 380 acres (1.5 square kilometers) in size. The island is connected to the mainland by a special road called a causeway. This causeway gets covered by water when the tide is high, so you can only cross it at certain times!
Northey Island is about a mile to the west. Mersea Island is about five miles to the northeast. The entire island belongs to music producer Nigel Frieda.
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Island Residents and Visitors
Osea Island has been home to a few interesting people over the years. Before 2004, some artists and thinkers lived there. In 2019, it was shared that famous singer Rihanna rented the island. She used it to record her new music album!
Osea Island's Past
The name "Osea" actually means "Osyth's Island." So, "Osea Island" really means "Osyth's Island Island"!
Military History of Osea
Osea Island has played a part in military history.
- In 1913, a British company tested a new seaplane there. A seaplane is an airplane that can take off and land on water. It had a successful ten-minute flight!
- During the First World War, Osea Island was a base for Coastal Motor Boats. These were small, fast boats used by the navy. About 2,000 sailors stayed on the island in temporary huts.
- A brave sailor named Augustus Agar was stationed here. He won a very special award called the Victoria Cross for his courage.
- In the Second World War, the British Army used the island.
Filming Locations on Osea Island
Osea Island's unique look has made it a popular spot for movies and TV shows.
- The 1979 children's film Black Island was filmed here. It was about two young people who get stuck on the island and captured by escaped convicts.
- The causeway to Osea Island was used in two movies called The Woman in Black. It looked just like the spooky "Nine Lives Causeway" from the story.
- In 2012, the TV show Superstar used the island for auditions. It was called "Superstar Island" on the show! Andrew Lloyd Webber was looking for a new star for his musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
- The island is also the setting for a TV drama miniseries called The Third Day.
Music Recording on the Island
Osea Island is a fantastic place for musicians. It has its own fully equipped recording studio. There's also plenty of space for musicians to stay. This makes it a great private retreat for artists to record their albums.
