Osea Island (Whole Island Hire)

Booking by enquiry only. Please contact Toad Hall Cottages on 01548 202020 for further details. Please note that there may be dates available that are not showing on the calendar so please enquire.

Osea is an exclusive island situated in the Blackwater Estuary and is available for private island hire. Osea Island is located just a 90-minute dash from London, and comprises of three fantastic and unique event spaces, and 28 self-catering properties with 87 bedrooms and 119 beds collectively. The properties can accommodate up to 186 guests in total, and range from grant turreted manor houses to cosy beach cottages. There are also additional glamping options available.

Along with the event spaces, the island benefits from an outdoor swimming pool, cinema room and games room. There are acres of private grounds to explore, with communal bikes dotted throughout the island, and 4.5 miles of coastline peppered with private beaches. It’s no wonder that celebrities have held weddings here, and famous musicians have performed one-off UK gigs.

Osea Island has a dedicated events team who can help to provide a bespoke experience including organising catering, entertainment, and other ancillary event services.

Whether you’re looking for a place to celebrate a wedding, special birthday party, corporate event, or just always dreamt of having use of your own private island, even if just for a few days, Osea Island is the perfect destination.

Pricing guideline for all 28 properties and 4 venues (additional charges may apply)

1 night: £48,000 2 nights: £60,000 3 nights: £72,000 4 nights: £84,000 5 nights: £96,000 6 nights: £108,000

Outside

The majority of properties on Osea Island have private outside space with ample seating, fire pits and barbecues for guests to enjoy.

Osea Island has the following communal facilities:

· Outdoor swimming pool (May until September) · Free bicycles for guests to use · 4.5 miles of coastline to walk or cycle · Acres of grounds to explore · Private beach · The Bomb Factory event space · The Power House event space · The Shack with cinema room, snug area, games room with pool table and table football · The Puffin pub

Additional paid-for activities are also available, such as boating, fishing, clay pigeon shooting and water sports.

The local area

Enchanting, mysterious, eclectic, exclusive, wild, rustic, unique – there are so many words to describe Osea Island, yet the only way to truly understand the island’s magic is to experience it first hand. This secret, private island is anchored in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, just a 90-minute dash from London yet offering complete escapism.

The adventure starts before you arrive on the island; forget check-in times, the tide dictates your approach to Osea. At low water, an ancient, seaweed-lined causeway built by the Romans winds its way from the mainland near Maldon, meaning the island is blissfully disconnected almost all day. At high water, a water taxi can ferry you across, while it's not uncommon for famous faces to arrive by helicopter.

Musicians, models and creatives love it here, but holidays on Osea Island are equally mesmerising for families – young and old, groups of friends and nature lovers. There’s 4.5 miles of coastline to explore, with shingle beaches, salt marshes, meadows and orchards. The shores are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with the only traffic the local wildlife. Rabbits, foxes and pheasants hide between oaks, sycamores and chestnuts, and the tidal plains are teeming with rare waterfowl, while at night, the stars act as streetlights and the call of all five of the country’s native owls can be heard.

Osea Island’s accommodation is equally extraordinary. Inland you’ll find ‘the village’, with a cluster of clapboard cottages and an Edwardian mansion housing six apartments. Heading to the waterfront, there are two beach cottages, a large coastal villa and a grand turreted manor house. Inside, Osea’s holiday homes are cosy, well equipped and each have their own quirk. Expect four poster beds, roll top baths, open fires, leather chesterfields, vintage artwork and reclaimed original features.

Whether planning a quiet winter escape, a family summer break or a big group get-together for a special occasion, there’s so much to do during your stay on Osea. All guests are welcome to use the outdoor pool and the games and cinema room stacked with classic films. There are bikes with off-road tyres dotted all over the island that you can pick up and go to explore wild corners and private beaches, and level lawns for games of croquet. But nothing beats the simple pleasures – sea swimming in the Maldon-salt waters, sandcastle building, stone skimming and crabbing, picking blackberries and conkers come autumn.

Osea also houses a number of eclectic venues; enjoy a pint in the island’s tiny seasonal pub, The Puffin, dating back over 300 years with cosy corners, beamed ceilings and inglenook fireplace. The much-loved ‘Shack’ hosts the games room and cinema room, while ‘The Power House’ and ‘Bomb Factory’ (an old WWII torpedo store) provide versatile spaces for parties and events – from dance floors and wedding venues to yoga studios. There’s even a private recording studio on the island.

Offering a world of adventure, seclusion and solace, and outstanding natural beauty, Osea is island living at its best, all within close proximity to London. Whether you’re planning a simple yet far from ordinary holiday with family and friends, or would like to book the entire island for exclusive hire, prepare to be bewitched by Osea Island.

Parking

Ample private parking on the Island.

The island does not have electric vehicle charging facilities.

Additional information

Included: Bed linen and towels (please bring your own beach/pool towels). Electricity and gas central heating. Wi-Fi.

Telephone: Telephones provided. Mobile signal good. Wi-Fi.

Security deposit: A refundable security deposit will be applicable to all bookings.

Pets: Dogs allowed.

EV charging: There are no EV charging facilities on site.

Short breaks: All short break options available from one night and above.

Please note: On rare occasions availability may differ from that displayed on the calendar. Booking by enquiry only. Please contact Toad Hall Cottages on 01548 202020 or thc@toadhallcottages.co.uk for further details. Please await final booking confirmation prior to making other arrangements such as travel.