A leisure park on the Essex coast is set to feature on national television this weekend as part of a new BBC coastal documentary series exploring England’s eastern shoreline.
Osea Leisure Park, near Maldon, will appear in the opening episode of the BBC’s Countryfile “East Coast Road Trip” special, which highlights the landscapes, wildlife and communities that line the country’s east coast.
The programme, presented by Anita Rani, was filmed earlier this year along the shores of the Blackwater Estuary, including the stretch of coastline bordering Osea Leisure Park and the nearby Osea View Café.
The episode showcases the area’s distinctive tidal marshes, expansive mudflats and unspoilt coastal scenery, which form part of one of Essex’s most important natural environments.
Viewers will see how the shifting estuary landscape supports a wide range of wildlife and provides a vital habitat for coastal bird species.
As part of the broadcast, the Countryfile team also visits nearby Northey Island, a protected nature reserve managed for conservation.
The island is recognised as an important sanctuary for birds including lapwing, curlew and dunlin, all of which rely on the estuary’s fragile ecosystem for feeding and nesting grounds.
The programme forms part of a four-part series exploring England’s eastern coastline, with a focus on the balance between human activity, conservation work and the natural environment.
The Essex section highlights both the beauty of the landscape and the efforts being made to preserve it for future generations.
Osea Leisure Park’s owner, Janie Robinson, said the appearance on national television reflects a long-standing commitment to protecting the coastline.
“This coastline is far more than the backdrop to Osea Leisure Park,” she said. “It is a precious landscape that we are privileged to care for. I have always seen myself as a steward of this small piece of the Essex coast, with a responsibility to protect it, nurture it and ensure future generations can enjoy its beauty, wildlife and tranquillity.”
She added that the organisation works to balance welcoming visitors with respecting the natural environment that makes the location so unique.
A spokesperson for Osea Leisure said the team was delighted to host the BBC crew and showcase the Blackwater Estuary to a wider audience, adding that it was “a privilege” to be included in the programme.
The episode featuring the Essex coastline will air on BBC Two on Sunday July 5 at 6pm.
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