England's Historic Seascapes: Southwold to Clacton
Oxford Archaeology (South), 2007. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000277. How to cite using this DOI
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 746
- ALSF Project Number: 4729
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000277
- How to cite using this DOI
England's Historic Seascapes:
Southwold to Clacton
ALSF Project Number 4729
Oxford Archaeology, 2007
Stour Estuary
Primary Subcharacter Type:
Protected Recreation Area
Main Character / current form and use
Primarily the Stour estuary is characterised as a protected area and is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the north. The intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh are designated as Special Protected Areas (SPA) and RAMSARs (internationally important wetland). The area is a feeding resource for internationally important populations of wintering wildfowl. The Stour is also a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Jaques Bay is a local nature reserve. The estuary is one of the most important wildlife estuaries in Europe and supports a sizeable population of swans.
The Stour Estuary is located adjacent to the Orwell Estuary, both of which converge at the Harwich and Felixstowe areas. The Estuary forms the boundary between Essex to the south and Suffolk to the north. Unlike the Orwell, the Stour is relatively unrestricted by sea defences and lacks the industrial traffic common to the former. However, the entire estuary falls under the jurisdiction of Harwich Haven Authority and the western end of the river forms part of Harwich Harbour. As such, the area is a caution area, particularly for high speed craft and submarine cables and pipes.
The Stour is popular for fishing, both for leisure and commercially and sea fishing takes place off Shotley Marina. Commercial fishing includes small trawlers which land sole, brown shrimp, bass, mullet and eel. The estuary also contains installations of wild native oysters, though these are currently depleted and not being fished. Commercial fishing is generally carried out by the small fleet from Harwich (Suffolk District Council 2004, 31). The depth of the estuary varies from 0 m to 10 m.
The character area includes the towns of Manningtree and Mistley, as well as incorporating part of Shotley Peninsula. These are currently strongly associated with their maritime and estuarine links. All are popular sailing havens with a number of marinas and boat building industries although sailing is restricted on the Stour by the shallowness of the upper estuary. In addition, canoeing, sail-boarding, water-skiing and use of personal craft occur on the estuary. The area is popular with tourists looking for a quiet retreat with attractive views over the estuary.
Historic Character and archaeological potential
The character area as a whole has high potential for archaeological remains and is steeped in maritime history. The earliest evidence of human activity comprises a Palaeolithic handaxe found on the shores of the river. A number of ring ditches and barrow cemeteries have been located along the banks of the Stour, often through aerial photography. Additionally, cremations and inhumations have been found, associated with Beakers. An enclosed Iron Age settlement has also been found in Mistley. The proximity of the estuary, its resources and possible ritual status indicate the area was a prime location for Prehistoric activity. In addition, estuaries are potential �hotspots� for submerged prehistoric remains, particularly dating to the Mesolithic (Flemming 2002).
Little evidence for Roman settlement or activity exists along the banks of the Stour although a Roman vessel was found in a gravel pit near Mistley and is now in Colchester museum. Manningtree is said to be the home of the Manni tribe who greeted Julius Caesar in 55BC.
The area became important in the early medieval period. Shotley is an Anglo-Saxon settlement and saw its first naval engagement between King Alfred and the Vikings in AD 885, as recorded by the Anglo-Saxon chronicles (Edwards 1991, 16). Recently the remains of two probable Anglo-Saxon fish traps and five timber circles were located during a coastal survey in Holbrook Bay (see link) on the northern bank of the estuary (Suffolk County Council 2006).
Manningtree and Mistley are also steeped in maritime history, and were both busy ports in their past (see link). More recently Shotley became a significant maritime centre, with the construction of a coastal battery in 1862 and as the home of the naval training base, HMS Ganges (see link).
Overall, 30 wrecks have been located within the character area and further obstructions have been recorded by fishermen and the total number of known obstructions is 46.
The area contains five scheduled monuments comprising Mistley Towers, two Martello towers Shotley battery and ring ditches south-west of Reed Island. The area also contains a number of surviving Second World War defences ncluding two anti-tank cylinders and one anti tank cube and an anti-tank ditch cutting off Shotley Gate from the rest of the peninsula.
Character perceptions
The character area is predominantly perceived as a haven for wildlife, particularly birds. It functions as a secluded retreat away from the busier seaside towns to the south and the industry of the Orwell to the north. The resulting atmosphere has lead to its role as a setting in numerous ghost stories, some of which have centred on the character of the Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins such as Barbara Erskine's 'Hiding From The Light'.
The towns of Manningtree and Mistley (see link) form the bulk of settlement on the Stour and are known for a number of features including the Mistley towers, all that remain of a once grand demolished church, constructed by Richard Rigby in 1745, with plans to turn Mistley into a spa town. Manningtree is also known for its status as the smallest town in England and its enormous swan population, attracted by the calm waters of the Stour. The character of both settlements is particularly attributable to their location next to the estuary.
Bibliography
Edwards, R., 1991, The Suffolk Coast. Terence Dalton Ltd
Erskine, B., 2003, Hiding from the Light, HarperCollins
Essex County Council, Nd., Manningtree Town Assessment Report. Essex Extensive Urban Survey. Essex County Council
Flemming, N.C. 2002, The scope of Strategic Environmental Assessment of North Sea areas SEA3 and SEA2 in regard to prehistoric archaeological remains. Department of Trade and Industry
Suffolk District Council, 2004, The Stour and Orwell Estuaries. Suffolk District Council
Suffolk County Council, 2006, Suffolk Intertidal Field Survey Assessment Report, v. 1. Suffolk County Council
Wren, W. J., 1976, Ports of the Eastern Counties: The Development of Harbours on the Coast of the Eastern Counties From Boston in Lincolnshire to Rochford in Essex. Dalton
HMS Ganges Association. Available at: http://www.hmsgangesassoc.org/ (13/03/2007)
Wikipedia. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org (15/03/2007)
