The earthwork remains of a sea wall on Oakham Ness can be seen on aerial photographs taken in 1946. Improvements to the land and permanent settlement were made possible on Oakham Ness by the building of these sea defences (see NMR 1540823). Three lengths of sea wall to the north west at TQ 8311 7272, TQ 8295 7273 and TQ 8294 7267 (the first of which is connected to the main sea wall) suggest that a larger area was originally enclosed but subsequently abandoned. By 1908 the sea wall had been breached at the south west at TQ 8323 7220. The sea has further encroached on Oakham Ness since 1946 and the area is gradually eroding away or returning to saltings. This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.(1-2)

<1> RAF, 1946, RAF 106G/UK/1444 4048 1-MAY-1946 (Photograph). SKE55926.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1908, Ordnance Survey Kent 1:2500 1908 (Map). SKE55927.