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Open Country: The Naze in Essex

The Naze in Essex

10/09/2015

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, The Naze in Essex

Helen Mark explores the hidden landscape of the Naze in Essex.

Helen Mark explores the hidden landscape of the Naze in Essex and its unique heritage, geology and ecology.

The quiet seaside town of Walton-on-the-Naze in the north-east corner of Essex lies at the end of the 'Essex Sunshine Coast' train line, after its neighbours Frinton-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea. If you walk along the seafront, past the pier and sandy beaches to the north of the town, you reach the headland of the Naze, where the land comes to an abrupt end by rugged cliffs and dissolves into flat watery creeks.

Helen Mark is here to explore the unique heritage, geology, and ecology of the Naze and meet those involved with its conservation and restoration. The prominent feature of the headland is the 18th century navigational tower, which stands on top of fossil bearing cliffs that are internationally recognised for their geological value. Behind that lies the watery world of Hamford Water, an important reserve for plants and wildlife, and the setting and inspiration for the 8th book in Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series, the aptly named Secret Water. Helen also hears about the connection between Walton-on-the-Naze and the pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, whose ships were moored off the coast in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Presenter: Helen Mark
Producer: Sophie Anton.

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