HIDDEN away in a quiet corner of south Essex is a village that boasts heaps of history. From the 1,000-year-old Saint Peters Church and two pubs that have existed since the 18th century, to the mudflats thought to be the last resting place of Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle, Paglesham is full of historic stories.

The Echo visited Shuttlewood’s Boatyard to see how it has transformed from a Victorian boatbuilder to a modern developer of high-end houseboats.

Echo: Boatbuilders watch the launch of Lylie, a craft built at Paglesham, in the first half of the 20th century.Boatbuilders watch the launch of Lylie, a craft built at Paglesham, in the first half of the 20th century. (Image: Shuttlewood's Boatyard)

If you were to walk your dog far enough along a dust track in Paglesham, near Rochford, you might stumble across a busy traditional boatyard nestled away “at the end of the world”.

Established by JW and FW Shuttlewood in 1895, the company started out building traditional oyster smacks for fishing. Today, it takes retired Thames lighter cargo vessels and gives them a new lease of life as static homes for waterside living.

Echo: John sailed around the world as a yachtsman but has found a job at home in the UK that 'ticks all the boxes'.John sailed around the world as a yachtsman but has found a job at home in the UK that 'ticks all the boxes'. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Shipyard manager John Evans joined the company in September and brings years of nautical experience with him.

John said: “It feels like you’re living at the end of the world sometimes. It’s quite desolate.

“We convert barges at the end of their commercial lives into houseboats.

“Instead of them going to a scrapyard, we give them a new lease of life, adding at least another 50 years of use.”

Echo: Before - how the barges arrive from the River Thames.Before - how the barges arrive from the River Thames. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Shuttlewood’s is a constant operation, with five houseboats being worked on at a time.

John added: “The barges are constantly afloat with the tide, as there’s no dry dock. It can be quite challenging for the builders, as there are no sprit levels because they don’t work. It’s all done by squares and lines.”

Shuttlewood’s employs “typical” tradesmen for the work to convert the barges into luxury homes, such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. However, experienced sailor John keeps a watchful eye and provides expertise when needed.

The ex-serviceman worked as a yachtsman all over the world for many years but has settled back home in the UK with a job that “keeps him interested”.

Echo: The 'Black Shed' at Paglesham (pictured earlier this month) was destroyed by Storm Jocelyn last week.The 'Black Shed' at Paglesham (pictured earlier this month) was destroyed by Storm Jocelyn last week. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

He added: “It’s quite hard to find a job where I can use my skillset. This ticks all the boxes.

“My job is largely problem-solving. I was brought in for my nautical eye.”

Jutting out into the tidal River Roach, Shuttlewood’s is open to the elements.

John said: “It gets pretty wild in the wind. It’s unbelievable, with speeds of up to 80 or 90 miles per hour.

“These boats are effectively big metal skips, but they have been known to be blown off their moorings and onto the beach.”

Echo: Men at work - 'typical' tradespeople, such as plumbers and carpenters, convert the barges into homes.Men at work - 'typical' tradespeople, such as plumbers and carpenters, convert the barges into homes. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

The original Victorian boatshed, which was no longer in use, was destroyed by recent storms. It is believed to have been built using timbers from Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle, similar to the beams found in the Punch Bowl pub in Paglesham.

Now, a modern boatyard and state-of-the-art office building stand miles from the rest of Essex, in a silent oasis less than ten miles from busy Southend.