There are two parts to the marshes; salt marsh on the outside of the sea wall and grazing marsh on the inside.

This view, taken from the top of the sea wall at high tide shows the tidal creek on the left and the freshwater grazing marsh on the right.

The fresh water drainage channel on the right is called a Borrowdyke. It is so called because the channel was left when the earth was 'borrowed' to make the dyke (sea wall).

This shows part of Old Hall Marsh nature reserve looking towards Mersea Island which can be seen in the distance.

The pools in the foreground are fresh water.