Osea Island

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Osea Island
Osea Island (Essex)
Osea Island

Osea Island shown within Essex
OS grid reference TL913065
District Maldon
Shire county Essex
Region East
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Maldon
Police Essex
Fire Essex
Ambulance East of England
European Parliament East of England
List of places: UKEnglandEssex

Coordinates: 51°43′28″N 0°46′17″E / 51.72451, 0.77127


Osea Island is an inhabited island in the estuary of the River Blackwater, Essex, East England. Approximately 400 acres in size, it is privately owned. It is connected to the north bank of the river by a causeway, covered at high water.

Northey Island lies about half a league to the west and Mersea Island is about two leagues to the north east.

Osea Island holds a place in the history of drug and alcohol treatment in Britain. It was formerly owned by a member of the Charrington brewing family, Frederick Nicholas Charrington, who also founded the Tower Hamlets Mission, which continues to house a drug and alcohol treatment centre, Charis.

Charrington established a retreat for wealthy alcoholics on Osea Island, among whom it is rumoured that Walter Sickert was numbered.

Osea Island was the site of a Coastal Motor Torpedo Boat base during World War 1. Commander Agar was awarded the VC while stationed on the island. See his book "Baltic Episode" for details.

Since 2004, it has been developed to house an exclusive therapeutic retreat, The Causeway Retreat.

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Pillbox photos