Foulness is an island in mouth of the Thames estuary on the east coast of Essex. The island’s name is derived from the Old English fulga-naess, with fulga (or fowl) meaning birds and naess being the Germanic word for promontory. The island was purchased by the Ministry of Defence in 1915 but a civilian population of around 200 still live there. Click here to read more about Foulness Island.
Access to the island is restricted because of its military ownership. However, it is possible to visit the island’s heritage centre which is open on first Sunday of the month April to October. Inside the centre you will be able to see artefacts from the island’s history from the Roman era right up to the present day. For more information on the heritage centre and other ways to visit the island please click here.