River Thames shipping coming in and out of London, in 1732 it received the world's first lightship. This became a major landmark, and was used as an assembly point for shipping. Today it is marked by Sea Reach No. 1 Buoy. The River Thames contains over 80 islands ranging from the large estuarial marshlands of the Isle of Sheppey and Canvey Island to small tree-covered islets like Rose Isle in Oxfordshire and Headpile Eyot in Berkshire. They are found all the way from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent to Fiddler's Island in Oxfordshire. Some of the largest inland islands, for example
Canvey Island island's internal services via the town centre, and provides services to places such as Southend, Basildon and Bournes Green. Nibs buses run the 21C bus from Canvey to Hadleigh via Essex Way. Both bus companies provide services to Benfleet railway station, which is located close to Canvey Bridge, just north of the island. The railway station has a taxi rank. Train services are provided by c2c between London Fenchurch Street and Southend Central/Shoeburyness. Canvey Island has two comprehensive schools: the Cornelius Vermuyden School and Castle View School. Both were built in 2012 as replacements for the island's three ageing comprehensives,