Osea Island is a beautiful private estate located in the Blackwater Estuary close to Maldon, Essex. It is currently listed for sale at £25 million, or about $33 million. Natural beauty and intriguing history make this 380-acre island one of the prettiest and most mysterious islands in the world. Its latest owner is famed music producer Nigel Frieda.
This community setting on Osea Island offers an unusual retreat, as the island is surrounded and cut off from the mainland at high tide. Its remoteness has made it a draw for some of the world’s most high-profile figures and events throughout the years. Pop star Rihanna is reportedly renting the island. British musician Stormzy chose it as the background for an album he composed there. Osea Island has long drawn filmmakers for its ethereal setting. It was used as a filming location for the 1989 television adaptation and, more famously, for the 2012 film of “The Woman in Black.”
In 2023 the importance of Osea Island was pushed further into the limelight when the Island’s peaceful shores became home to singer Olly Murs’ wedding. The combination of its beautiful landscape and its history as a sought-after location for artists and events makes Osea Island a remarkable opportunity for potential buyers.
Simon Pelling, the London-based agent representing the island’s sale, said that it has already received a number of bids. Many of these bids are above the starting guide price. He stated, “We already have several bids on it and some of them are in excess of the guide price.” This strong show of interest has gone to demonstrate the attractiveness of the island as an investment opportunity.
It’s the island’s proximity to London that is perhaps its biggest selling point. Mr. Pelling expressed that this aspect adds to its attractiveness, remarking, “Its proximity to London is a major selling point and it’s beautiful.”
Looking forward, there’s some mystery about what’s in store for Osea Island. Pelling noted, “We see it going to operators who will use it in a similar way to how it is used now – as a venue, an event space or high-end letting facility.” Doing so would help ensure that the island can keep attracting high-profile, niche events and serves as a long-term cradle for creativity.
Leave a Reply