Osea is an exclusive private Island set in idyllic surroundings on the Blackwater, at the base of the Thames Estuary.

Enclosed by 4 miles of beaches and coastline this beautiful Island provides an inspirational setting, as a marine sanctuary for an abundant variety of wildlife and rare birds.

Osea Island is one of the few places in England where all 5 species of English Owl can be seen. Other species that can be seen includes Brent Goose, Curlew, Dunnock, Gadwell, Golden plover, Goldfinch, Grey Partridge, Hen Harrier, Kestral, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Merlin, Oyster catcher, Pintail, Reshank, Reed Bunting, Reed Wabler, Ringed plover, Sedge Warbler, Shelduck, Skylark, Teal, Turtle Dove, Whimbrel, Whitethroat, Wigeon, Yellow hammer.

The Village has evolved around the old 16th Century Farm buildings which are clustered together at the centre of the Island, set about 30 feet above sea level.

Osea island has a rich and diverse history having been occupied for over 5000 years. There are remains of Neolithic villages and later evidence of Viking burial grounds from the famous battle of Maldon.

The Battle of Maldon (991AD) took place on the shores of the River Blackwater in Essex. There was a heroic stand by the Anglo-Saxons against the Viking invasion which ended in utter defeat for Brithnoth and his men. The battle's progress is related in a famous Anglo-Saxon poem, only part of which survives.

In 1903 Osea was purchased by Frederick Charrington who created what was probably the world's first temperance society.

In 1917 The Island was requisitioned by the admiralty for use as a top-secret naval base, denominated S.S. Osea (the ship that never sails). So secret was its mission that people on the mainland had no idea of its existence until well after the war was over, despite having over 1000 sailors billeted on The Island. S.S. Osea was a base for motor torpedo boats, often referred to as 'submarine chasers' or 'scimmers'.

With the onset of World War II, things were not quite as eventful as in the naval days, but were still not entirely without incident. A V2 rocket falling short of its target in London hit Osea instead. Its remains can still be seen today together with two heavily reinforced 'pill boxes' or bunkers at the furthest East and West points of the island designed to ward off invaders.

After the war Osea went into the ownership of Cambridge University. It was declared a site of special scientific interest because of its unique ecology, rare plants, birds and marine life, before returning to private ownership in the 1950's.