subject: Life On The Water In Burnham-on-crouch [print this page] Located along the northern bank of the River Crouch, Burnham-on-Crouch is an idyllic and historic town on England's East Coast. The small riverside town of just over 7,500 residents in Maldon district, in the eastern part of Essex is the main settlement location in the Dengie peninsula and is about 20 miles away from Chelmsford. Despite its relatively isolated location, the town is actually just an hour by train away from central London. The local railway station, which lies on a single-line route from Wickford, is the town's primary transport link. Trains run directly to Liverpool Street Station.
The town can also be accessed by road or rail from Southend Airport (approximately 15 miles away), by road from London Stansted Airport (approximately 30 miles away), or by road or train from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports (both roughly 80 miles away). The town is connected to Chelmsford, Southend and Maldon by bus and coach services and within the Dengie area, there are regular coach transfers.
Burnham-on-Crouch has much to offer residents and visitors in terms of recreation and culture. The River Crouch plays a large part in the local community's identity and lifestyle. The town which was historically a ferry port and fishing port famous for its oyster beds is now popular as a yachting centre in the country. The town plays proud host to a popular annual sailing event toward the end of every August, starting on the bank holiday weekend. Burnham Week, as the event is called, includes yacht and dinghy races held on the River Crouch. This annual competitive yachting regatta was started in 1893 and is today a celebration of sorts.
The town also hosts an annual Illuminated Carnival, started in 1908, toward the end of every September. In June, the town is filled with music and arts for an entire month, with the celebration of Riverfest. Burnham-on-Crouch's location along the river means that the town is a prime location for nature-enthusiasts and bird-watching is a popular past-time, as is seal-spotting. One of the town's best parks is the Riverside Park, a vast area of grassy expanse extending from the River Crouch in the south to the railway line at the other end in the north and from the Yacht Harbour in the West, to Station Road in the East. The park, which was awarded the Green Flag in 2007, feature play sites for youngsters of all ages, outdoor sports facilities and picnic areas. The park is a wildlife haven, with grassy areas home to butterflies and wild plants and the sea and beach areas along the riverside home to many interesting marine species.
The historic town has dozens of listed buildings and burial mounds dating back to the Bronze Age. There is a wide array of interesting buildings, from weather board cottages and old-style inns to Victorian terraces and Elizabethan hotels. The famous Royal Corinthian Yacht Club building embodies 1930s modernism and its architect, Joseph Emberton, won a national architectural award for his design. The town is self-contained and although it is not large or bustling, has everything locals need, including fresh local produce (the oysters are as fresh as they come), a quaint old cinema, a popular local review magazine, a large sports centre, a 120-acre golf course and the Mangapps Railway Museum.
