Paglesham
Paglesham is an attractive marshland village in Essex, beside the tidal River Roach and 4 miles from Rochford.
It was once well known for smuggling and for oysters, up into the early 20th century.
The village is in two separate parts, Churchend and Eastend, by the river. The view of Churchend across the fields from Eastend in unforgettable.
St. Peter`s Church has Norman nave and chancel, and a West tower added in the 15th century.
The Punch Bowl Inn is weatherboarded, and sits among the cottages of the little High Street.
The Plough and Sail, also weatherboarded, is the inn at Eastend, from where a track leads to Paglesham Reach, once a great barge building centre.
A manor at Paglesham was given by a Saxon thegn to Westminster Abbey when he set out with Harold Godwinson for the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.
Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Paglesham for groups.