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Brightlingsea
Essex Ports, Piers and Wharfs
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Essex port of Brightlingsea, on the River Colne. I will add historic photos and postcards for comparison.
Excavations in Brightlingsea show occupation since at least Bronze Age times, due to the plentiful supply of shellfish and abundant fresh water. There was later a Roman Fort on the river in Brightlingsea as part of the defences of Colchester. The town grew as a result of it's close association with the River Colne and it's excellent natural harbour. The oyster fishery was an important industry and there was a large fishing fleet of 'Colchester Smacks'. In the 1930's more sprats were landed in Brightlingsea than in all the rest of the country, many of these being taken in rail wagons to Harwich for shipping to the Continent on the Zeebrugge train ferries. Many of the fishing boats were built in the town together with many of the Thames barges, and the Aldous yard was a major employer. A large building project named
Waterside Marina
started in 2005 to create a new marina and housing development on the disused shipyard site.
The railway arrived in 1866, and initially was quite successful. In 1882,
The Hard
, with its adjacent causeway, was built to assist unloading the fishing boats. A modern floating pontoon has recently been built in the location of the causeway, allowing yacht berthing at almost any state of tide.
Bateman's Tower
is a folly built in 1883 by John Bateman as a recuperation area for his daughter who was suffering from consumption. It is situated on Westmarsh Point on the River Colne at the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek. Other sources describe it as being built as a recognition point to aid returning fishermen. In 1894, the long considered
Bradley's Quay
was started, but not completed, halfway between
The Hard
and
Bateman's Tower
. The concrete sea wall was built in 1925, and the marshland behind it was filled in during the 1930s using soil excavated for St Botolph's railway sidings. This created the West Marsh Pleasure Grounds, with boating lake, swimming pools and a paddling pool, which still exist. Rail traffic was boosted at the time, but the service was closed in 1964.
Brightlingsea is a member of the Cinque Ports, as a "limb" of Sandwich, the only one outside of the counties of Kent and Sussex. The Cinque Ports date back over 1000 years, the original five mother ports being Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, Romney and Hythe. It is suggested that Brightlingsea oysters were a big attraction to the men of Sandwich, leading to the alliance.
In summer, the foot ferry
Community Reach
provides a service between the Brightlingsea to Point Clear (on the opposite side of Brightlingsea Creek) and East Mersea (on Mersea Island). Services operated from 30th April until 2nd October in 2005. The ferry service was relaunched on 3rd July 2004.
Sections on this Page:-
Anchor Hotel
MV Balmoral
Bateman's Tower
Brightlingsea
Harbour Craft
The Hard
River Colne
Waterside Marina
Essex Ports & Piers:-
Brightlingsea
- this page
Harwich
- River Stour port
Maldon
- River Blackwater port
Southend
Wivenhoe
- River Colne port
www.brightlingsea-town.co.uk
- Brightlingsea Town Guide
www.brightlingseaferry.co.uk
- Brightlingsea Ferry
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Boats & Ports
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Port Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
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River Colne
Point Clear and the sea from Brightlingsea Promenade.
Point Clear is on the opposite side of Brightlingsea Creek, and can can be accessed by a foot ferry in the summer.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Looking upstream on the River Colne from Brightlingsea Promenade.
The embankment follows the trackbed of the closed railway to Wivenhoe.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Brightlingsea
Excavations in Brightlingsea show occupation since at least Bronze Age times, due to the plentiful supply of shellfish and abundant fresh water. There was later a Roman Fort on the river in Brightlingsea as part of the defences of Colchester. The town grew as a result of it's close association with the River Colne and it's excellent natural harbour. The oyster fishery was an important industry and there was a large fishing fleet of 'Colchester Smacks'. In the 1930's more sprats were landed in Brightlingsea than in all the rest of the country, many of these being taken in rail wagons to Harwich for shipping to the Continent on the Zeebrugge train ferries. Many of the fishing boats were built in the town together with many of the Thames barges, and the Aldous yard was a major employer. A large building project named
Waterside Marina
started in 2005 to create a new marina and housing development on the disused shipyard site.
Brightlingsea from the Promenade.
The concrete sea wall was built in 1925. This was also the site of Bradley's Quay.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Brightlingsea from the Promenade.
The new marina construction is very evident.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Brightlingsea from the Promenade.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Brightlingsea from the Promenade.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Brightlingsea from the air, showing the Hard and construction of the new
Waterside Marina
in June 2005.
Photo: ©
www.watersidemarina.co.uk
.
Brightlingsea from the air, showing the Hard and construction of the new
Waterside Marina
in August 2005.
Photo: ©
www.watersidemarina.co.uk
.
Brightlingsea from the air, showing the Hard and construction of the new
Waterside Marina
in October 2005.
Photo: ©
www.watersidemarina.co.uk
.
Brightlingsea from the air, showing the Hard and construction of the new
Waterside Marina
in December 2005.
Photo: ©
www.watersidemarina.co.uk
.
The Hard
In 1882, The Hard, with its adjacent causeway, was built to assist unloading the fishing boats. A modern floating pontoon has recently been built in the location of the causeway, allowing yacht berthing at any state of tide.
The Hard from the new yacht jetty.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
The Hard from the new yacht jetty.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
The Hard from the new yacht jetty.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
The Hard from the new yacht jetty.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Seagulls at The Hard.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Shelter at The Hard.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Anchor Hotel
The Anchor Hotel, by The Hard.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
The Anchor Hotel, by The Hard.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
The Anchor Hotel, and the Sailing Club.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Detail of the Anchor Hotel.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.
Anchor Hotel at high tide.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd June 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Anchor Hotel at high tide.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 22nd June 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Waterside Marina
A large building project named
Waterside Marina
started in 2005 to create a new marina and housing development on the disused shipyard site.
The new
Waterside Marina
under construction.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th January 2006.