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Country diary: This ‘secret’ island takes me back to Swallows and Amazons
Horsey Island, Hamford Water, Essex: It’s the setting for one of Arthur Ransome’s wonderful books, and today it’s farmed by a single family with innovation and care
TL;DR
- Horsey Island's access is controlled by tides, with a four-hour crossing window.
- The island is the setting for Arthur Ransome's 'Secret Water' from the 'Swallows and Amazons' series.
- It supports a diverse population of humans, animals, and thousands of birds.
- The current stewards, Joe and Vicky Backhouse, are involved in conservation projects, such as using dredged mud to combat marshland erosion from overgrazing by geese.