Osea Island
Osea Island is an island in Essex.
One of a huge number of islands off the Essex coast, Osea is in the estuary of the River Blackwater, not far from Maldon.
It is accessible by land along a mile long causeway, originally constructed by the Romans, from Heybridge. This can be used twice a day, for four hours.
Otherwise, it can be reached by boat or by helicopter.
The island was bought around 1900 by Frederick Charrington, of the Charrington brewing family. He had been horrified at the damage his family`s products had caused, and used the island as a drying out centre for alcoholics.
Osea has since been used as a drug rehabilitation centre, where some high profile people have stayed.
Today it is in private ownership, and is being developed as an exclusive resort.