Blackwater (River) inc Tollesbury, Bradwell and Maldon
At a Glance
The River Blackwater forms a broad expanse that offers plenty of good sailing with reasonable shelter.
For the main part there is plenty of deepwater, but the Marinas within are all accessed by tricky drying creeks.
For an over view of the area there is a useful
pdf available for download at :-
Rivers and Waterways | Maldon District
Council
There are various good anchorages to be had for even deep draft craft, and untold places where shoal draft craft could take the ground. The whole area is very much in favour with traditionalists...sailing barges, smacks and all manner of gaff rigged craft will be seen. Combine this with the several yacht clubs in the area, plus the three marinas and numerous craft on swinging moorings, the result is an interesting stopover for the visitor with plenty to see.
Once past Osea Island the depths in the River dry up significantly and only boats that can dry out can stop at Maldon (if they can find somewhere to lay).
For cruising boats it should be possible to provision the boat, although it may involve a bit of a hike, while for any kind of anchoring afloat a decent dinghy with outboard will be needed for forays ashore.
Most boat needs can be met in the area including lifting and repairs, whilst those with wooden vessels will find a wealth of experience around here.
This video from Dylan Winter will give you a feel for Bradwell
Blackwater (River) inc Tollesbury, Bradwell and Maldon
Approach
The visiting yachtsman or motorboater will find the problems in approaching the River Blackwater....
... are pretty much the same as those involved approaching the
River Crouch. At high tide the whole approach area is covered, and
looks like one big grey expanse of water. Things are not as they
seem and there are various channels and swatchways that need to be
identified and be followed carefully.
This part of the world is extremely flat and featureless so you
won't get much help from the lay of the land. The truly
conspicuous Bradwell nuclear power station will probably be the
only land feature you will see from a distance. All the channels
are well marked by buoyage, but it is very easy to mistake one
seamark for another with possibly serious consequences... the sands
in this area (and the Thames estuary) are rock hard and unforgiving
should you end up pinned on them by the wind. To make matters worse
if you are approaching the Blackwater in the afternoon the sun will
be in your eyes....Full pilotage details are now provided:
The best general advice for handling this kind of area is to have your passage plan well worked out in advance, with courses planned (taking into account tidal cross sets if required) and a clear list of the buoyage you are expected to pass in the order you will encounter it. When you are following your plan you will probably see plenty of other buoyage..... the best advice is to assume nothing, follow your preplanned course and tick-off the buoyage on your list as you pass and positively identify it. The other alternative is a set of carefully chosen and checked waypoints.
Approach from the north-east through the Wallet is straightforward enough, keep a safe distance offshore but not too far as to put you on Gunfleet Sands, then identify and approach the northerly cardinal Knoll (Q) Buoy. Head north west leave the green conical Eagle (Q.G) close to starboard, then continue on the same course and pass between the green conical buoy Colne Bar (Fl(2)G.5s) and the red can buoy NW Knoll (Fl(2)R.5s), with the green to starboard and the red to port. The course is then eased to the west, leaving the green conical buoy Bench Head (Fl(3)G.10s) on your starboard side. You now be in the deeper waters of the Blackwater proper, and a deep channel although unmarked by buoyage makes a gentle swing first to the WNW, then W, then WSW. The deepest water lies about midway between the two shores which you should be able to see by now.
If approaching from the Southend area via the Middle Deep or East Swin channels (which run parallel to one another, divided by a shallow patch) you should be careful which channel you are in because the S Whittaker Green buoy is no more . If you are in the Middle Deep you should cross to the East Swin at the Green Maplin Approach Buoy {Fl(2)G10s} and head NNE for the Whittaker ECM (Q(3) 10s Bell) and when there swing NW towards the Swin Spitway Buoy (Iso.10s). Steering NNW from here will bring you to the spherical red-and-white Wallet Spitway buoy (Lfl.10s), and easing the course to NW will then bring you to the northerly cardinal Knoll buoy mentioned above. There is a least depth of 1.5 m at CD between the Swin Spitway Buoy and the Wallet Spitway Buoy, but with drying banks or either side so care in this area will be necessary.
In this approach you will be sailing across the tide, so you need to know which way the tide is pushing you, in or out, and apply suitable corrections to your course.
Shallow draught boats exiting the River Crouch and heading for the River Blackwater can take a short excursion across the Ray Sand Channel given a suitable rise of the tide. It is not proposed to describe this route here, but if tempted to try it you are probably much safer once past the Buxey northerly Cardinal beacon to make for Swire Hole before heading towards the Colne Bar area.
Going back now, entering the River roughly midway between the two shores, conspicuous power station to the South and the town of West Mersea to the North, you will notice buoyage leading into Mersea Quarters and Woodrolfe Creek. The outermost mark is a skinny pole beacon, The Nass Beacon (VQ(3)5s.6m.2M). Entry to Mersea Quarters and Tollesbury Marina are dealt with later.
On the other side of the river shortly after the power station comes the entrance to Bradwell Creek and Marina, again to be dealt with later.
The deepwater of the River continues in a south westerly direction and is very steep to on the northern side, while being more gently shelving on the southern side.... worth remembering if tacking.
When approaching The Stone and Osea Island be sure to leave the green conical Thirslet (Fl(3)G.10s) buoy on your starboard side as the deep channel lies close to the southern shore. Various small boat moorings will be seen and continuing in a westerly direction you will pass between another red and green buoy before coming to Osea Island.
Good anchorage can be had to the south of this island, and it has been used from time immemorial for this purpose... waiting for a tide to Maldon.
Branching off to the South in this area is Lawling Creek which leads to the drying Blackwater Marina (which can also provide all tide mooring buoys), with further details to come.
For deep draft yacht planning to remain afloat the area of Osea Island is probably about as far as you'd want to push before snuggling down to anchor.
For those wishing to push on to Heybridge Basin and Maldon a suitable rise of tide will be required....
£ GMT
Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
The various berthing and anchoring possibilities you will come across are mentioned in the order you will pass them.
First up on your starboard side are the moorings of West Mersea, followed by Tollesbury Marina. On you port side will be found Bradwell Marina. Deeper into the river will be found Blackwater Marina and Heybridge Basin. In between are several possible anchoring spots. Drying berths may be obtainable in Maldon too. For full approach details and current visitors mooring prices plus details of the anchorage possibilities, expand this section:
West Mersea
A very busy area for yachts, with narrow channels crammed with moorings and no marina, or much in the way of alongside facilities for that matter. No real room to anchor either, and plenty of oyster beds to avoid. Extensive mud though !
Approach to this area is made through an area of deep water called Mersea Quarters, and the outermost entry mark is the already mentioned skinny pole Nass Beacon. From there a buoyed channel leads westwards and then North West; Note that there is an ECM to the ESE of the Quarters Spit which is not marked on the UKHO charts. The buoyage from the Nass Beacon towards Tollesbury also shows the buoyage towards the entrance of the channel towards West Mersea.The only chance you have of mooring here is if you can find a vacant mooring buoy and then take advice from the yacht club boatman, (who operates on VHF channel 37 (M) callsign YC1). He will generally know which if any moorings are available in the various channels.
Boating activity in the small town is centred around the landing stage and it is here you will need to land in the dinghy to sample the town's delights or fill up water carriers.
There are scrubbing posts that can be hired from the yacht club, and the town provides Chandlers, engineers, boatyards and even a sailmaker. Day-to-day provisioning is no problem while transport is covered by buses to Colchester (trains from Colchester to London). Fuel and gas can be obtained in the town. WiFi is available in the moorings area.
Various pubs and eateries together with two yacht clubs, the West Mersea and Dabchicks (who's details will be found in the directory)
All in all useful little spot if you can get moored up.
Tollesbury
You can find a copy of the Tollesbury pilotage HERE
Tollesbury Yacht Harbour is initially approached by the same
channel as West Mersea, but a branch off made to the West in the
region of a small easterly Cardinal buoy, Quarters Spit (Q(3)10s)
which is left well to starboard, before swinging west and following
the new red can buoys (lit). The channel splits around Cob Islands,
with the Southern channel that leads to the Marina now being marked
by a green buoys which are left close to starboard. Next up comes a
line or moorings in the center line of the creek, pass either side
until you see the new buoys at the entrance to Woodrolfe Creek and
the 2 tide gauges showing the height over the sill at the marina
entrance. This area also has 4 visitors buoys marked "Tollesbury
Marina", you can pick these up whilst waiting for the tide.
At high water
springs there is about 3 m over the sill, but
high water neaps only about 1.8 m. This Creek is first marked by
pairs of red and green can buoys (lit), and once these expire keep
central between the saltings leaving red light ship (see photo
gallery) on your starboard side. You will soon come to the entrance
of the Marina and have to swing to port to enter it and across the
sill.
The Marina has now improved the buoyage from the
South Channel through to the Marina entrance, and many of them are
lit sharing the same characteristics Fl.R.5s for the red port hand
buoys, and Fl.G.5s for the green Starboard hand buoys. They are all
conical, including the red port hand marks. Check the
Marina's website or telephone them for the latest
information.
For first-time visitors it's probably worth consulting with the Marina before attempting entry, They can be contacted on VHF channel 80 or 37 (M) callsign Tollesbury Marina, or telephone 01621 868471. A link to their website is provided below:-
http://www.tollesbury-marina.co.uk
All normal Marina facilities are available here with water and electricity (£3.50 per 24 hours) on the pontoons, toilets showers and laundry ashore. Diesel is available at the fuel berth and there is a Chandlers on-site. Calor gas and camping gas are available with provisioning 10 minutes away in the village.
Boats can be lifted up to 20 tonnes, together with three 30 tonne slipways, and full boatyard facilities are available.
It's worth noting that this Marina has achieved the Yacht Harbour Association 4 Gold Anchor award, and boasts an indoor swimming pool as well as other upmarket facilities at the connected Tollesbury Cruising Club, where visiting yachtsman from the Marina are made welcome. Prices here (2022) work out at £22 per night for a 10 m boat and £19.00 for smaller boats.
The club has a restaurant, and in the village there are further pubs. Transport is covered by buses to Colchester and Witham (both of which are connected to London by train).
Bradwell
Bradwell is on the opposite side of the River to Tollesbury and
West Mersea, and is entered via a Creek on your port hand side just
after a wall structure running parallel with the with River and
connected to the power station. Both ends of the structure are lit
by a vertically orientated fixed red lights, whilst the power
station is unmistakable.
Just to the South West of the end of this wall is
a northerly Cardinal beacon/tide gauge (Q), and this shows the
entrance to Bradwell Creek, and the tide gauge reveals the depth of
water in the Marina entrance. Access is available approximately 4
hours either side of high water depending on draft. The beacon is
left to starboard, the Creek entered with the way being shown by
orange can buoys to port and withies to starboard.
When the banks are covered and tide is running hard these orange
can buoys can be pushed off station either towards the mudbank into
the channel itself, so caution is needed. The Creek makes a fairly
sharp bend to starboard and the line of moorings shows the way to
the Marina. There is no room to anchor in this channel.
The entrance to the Marina branches off to port and is clearly marked by red and green posts. The tide can run very strongly up and down this channel running parallel to the main river, so bear this in mind as turning into the Marina entrance channel.
Probably the best plan is to contact the Marina in advance for entry instructions, and they can be contacted on VHF channel 80, callsign Bradwell Marina, or telephone 01621 776235. A link to their website is provided below:
http://www.bradwellmarina.com/
All the usual facilities are available here with water and electricity (free for overnight stop) on the pontoons, toilets & showers and laundry ashore. A 30 tonne travel lift can handle most boats, and petrol, diesel and Calor and camping gas are available. Overnight prices (2022) work out at £21.50 for a 30' boat. Scrubbing posts are available through the Bradwell Quay yacht Club.
The two yacht clubs in the area are listed in the directory, both welcoming visitors and the one attached to the Marina serves food. There are also a couple of pubs within walking distance, and the local post office stores at Bradwell Waterside can provide basic provisioning.
The Marina has its own bar/ BBQ
Transport is covered by a bus service from Bradwell on Sea to Southminster or Burnham, from where train connections to London can be had.
Continuing Upriver
For those pushing on upriver away from the facilities near the entrance, care needs to be taken approaching Stone Point and Osea Island. When the tide is in, the River looks wide, but in fact the deepwater lies closer to the southern shores, with the northern bank and Thirslet Spit being steep to and hard sand. Every season season sees an oblivious skipper sail straight into these banks...
Favour the southern shore and identify the green conical Thirslet Spit Buoy (Fl(3)G), leaving it to starboard.
Thirslet Creek and Goldhanger Creeks to the north of the fairway can provide anchorages with very good shelter when the tide is out. Once the banks are covered however you will find yourself in a very wide expanse of water... There are oyster beds laid deeper into Goldhanger Creek which need to be avoided, but boats able to take the ground could push right up the creek and dry out near the Goldhanger Sailing Club. Landing is possible here and there are a couple of pubs within walking distance. (Just keep an eye on those tide tables).
St Lawrence Bay is popular with speedboats and PWC's, but a little bit further on off The Stone there are moorings, and a couple of clubs, the Marconi and the Stone sailing clubs. Both of these maintain moorings and may have something available for a visitor. Check the directory for their contact details.
The tide runs hard through these moorings so they are best avoided if sailing by.
If continuing to Osea Island and beyond, the red buoy shown on the charts off the Marconi sailing Club (funnily enough named Marconi (Fl(2)R.3s)) is a very insignificant looking structure with a disk like base. This needs to be left to port for the best water.
The Anchorage off Osea has already been mentioned, and lies to the east of the rather dilapidated pier that carries 2F.G.(vert) lights. Deep draught vessels should sound carefully, to find good water. Landings can be made on the island and this is a popular spot in the summer.
Lawling Creek and Blackwater Marina.
The entrance to Lawling Creek lies pretty much to the South of the pier on Osea Island. The entrance to the Creek is marked by the red can buoy No.2 (Fl.R.3s).
The Marina pilotage can be found HERE
The run of this Creek is marked by buoyage and by lines of moorings
in the channel. The Marina dries out to soft mud but can be reached
by most craft at around a couple of hours either side of high
water. They also maintain mooring buoys where you can lay afloat at
all times. In the closer approaches to the Marina you must keep
going rather than aiming for it directly you see it. The turn to
port is only commenced when you are abreast the first pontoon.
Check the charts, and the photo on the marina's
website.
Contact Blackwater Marina on VHF channel 37 or telephone 01621
740264, we provide a link to their website below:
http://www.blackwater-marina.co.uk/
Prices here for 2022 work out at £20 on the pontoons for a 10m boat and £1.50/m/night for larger boats. Shore power is by card from the marina office.
If on the pontoons you will find water and electricity, with toilets and showers ashore. The yard can handle all kinds of liftings (including a 200 ton dry dock), repairs and even rigging.
The marina has refurbished the bar and added a restaurant/bistro.
Day-to-day provisioning can be handled from a general stores in the village, while there are a couple of sailing clubs near the Marina. A nearby pub is only open in the evenings and at weekends, while a bit of rooting around will find you an Indian takeaway and a fish and chip shop that closes quite early.
Towards Maldon.
From Osea Island onwards the Blackwater pretty well dries out, and also to complicate matters the channel twists and turns in a snakelike fashion. Just as well buoyage is laid to help you on your way. A suitable rise of tide will obviously be needed to proceed on.
Unless you can take the ground there will be no moorings to be had at Maldon, and even if you can take the ground you might not find anywhere other than perhaps to dry out on the foreshore.
At Heybridge, just after Colliers Reach the canal leading to Chelmsford is now in new hands after the closure of the old Chelmer Navigation Co. It is now owned by Essex Waterways. It is still possible for deep draft craft to enter the canal and moor within, but it is necessary to arrange this all in advance to avoid disappointment.
For those who still wish to explore on the tide it is a matter of following the buoyage starting from the South of Osea Island, and clearly shown on the chart. From the area of the Doctor, marked by a green conical buoy No.3 (Fl(2)G.6s), a generally north-westerly heading is made. The red can buoy Southey Creek is left to port and you pass between the red can buoy South Double No.6 and the green conical buoy North Double No.7, still heading north-west.
The channel does a 90° turn to the south-west (and into Colliers Reach), this is marked by a red can buoy Hilly Pool Point No.8.
About halfway down Colliers Reach you will see on your starboard side the entrance to the lock. The little channel leading to it is marked by withies on the port side and an unlit green buoy "Lock Reach" in Colliers Reach.
The lock is only available one hour either side of high water springs, or one hour after high water neaps.
Heybridge Basin.
To make advance enquiries about locking in and obtaining a berth contact the lockeeper on his mobile 07712 079764. It gets busy on summer weekends so you would be well advised to do this. Listening watch is kept on VHF channel 80, callsign Basin Lock.
Entry to the lock is controlled by traffic signals. When there is enough water the first lock is always outwards so if coming up on the flood expect to have to wait and, as there may be boats coming out who need the whole width of the channel, you should wait in the vicinity of the green buoy at the beginning of the channel. The lock is manned during the day from 6 AM to 8 PM in the summer, although it can be opened outside of these times with a minimum of a day's notice. This is the only place you can lay afloat in this area. An overnight berth here will cost £24 (2021) which is inclusive of VAT and there is no extra charge for the lock.
The basin is popular with traditional wooden boats, and has been used for wintering. Water and shore power is available (metered and charged), and there is a toilet and shower block with laundry.
There are no shops or stores in the immediate offing, but a lengthy hike down the tow path will bring you to a large Asdas open from 6 AM to 11 PM. Launches operate ferry services up and down the canal if you're not up for a walk.
There are a couple of pubs and sailing clubs in the immediate vicinity, plus a nearby boatyard and 6 tonne crane at the basin. They have a web page:
https://www.waterways.org.uk/essex_waterways/visitor_information/heybridge
Onwards to Maldon.
The river narrows down even more and goes round a U bend at Herrings Point followed by a 90° bend to the West. It is all marked by buoyage. At high water watch out for the end of the concrete hard which comes up after green conical buoy No.17 has been left on your starboard side. It is marked by a red beacon.
You will now be approaching the town itself, the channel is narrow and a close eye needs to be kept out for sailing barges manoeuvring around the quay. Most of the barges based around Hythe Quay operate as charter vessels.
It will be difficult to find anywhere to moor up overnight here as the visitors pontoon is often full. You could try booking a space in advance with the River Baliff who is on 07818 013723, or 01621 875837. His office is in a hut on the Quay.
It has been reported that the Maldon Little Ship Club welcomes visitors to their pontoon but you would need to be able to take the ground and contact them to check on availabilty 01621 854139
Maldon Council maintain a website which is full of
information
https://www.maldon.gov.uk/info/20106/rivers_and_waterways/9277/rivers_and_moorings/5
If you don't have any luck here there are several boatyards further on before you reach a bridge that will arrest progress, but Maldon is not a place to linger as everything dries out very quickly after high water. It is unfortunate that there are not more moorings for visitors in this town as it is a very attractive place especially if you like heavy traditional boats (as opposed to racing yachting).
The little town can offer all kinds of boat repair facilities, especially geared towards traditional craft. Just about all kinds of specialists are available here including electrics and Electronics, Marine engineering, riggers, shipwrights and even uphostery.
It is popular with tourists in the summer who mill around the quayside watching the comings and goings.
The town provides all kinds of shops including supermarket together with banks and pubs/restaurants. Unfortunately it does not have a rail link, but frequent buses run to Chelmsford from where you can catch a train to London.
Marinas and Mooring
River Bailiff Authority
River Bayliff
Hythe Quay
Maldon
Essex
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Paper Mill Lock
Hatfield Road
Little Baddow
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 4BS
Tollesbury Marina
Woodrolfe Boatyard
The Yacht Harbour
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Bradwell Marina & Yacht Club
Port Flair Ltd
Waterside
Bradwell on Sea
Essex
CM0 7RB
Sail Loft Moorings
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury Saltings
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Downs Road Boatyard
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
Restorations & Repairs, Moorings, Slips, 6T Cranage, Yacht Deliveries, Mechanical Servicing & Welding
verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Woodrolfe Boatbuilders & Repairs
The Yacht Harbour
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Blackwater Marina
Marine Parade
Maylandsea
Essex
CM3 6AN
Facilities
The facilities in and around the individual mooring places have already been covered, suffice to say that the Blackwater area can cope with just about any repairs or projects. You only have to have a quick look through the directory.
As the area is so spread out, and it is unlikely you will venture too far from your boat, you will probably miss much unless you choose to spend a bit more time exploring the whole area properly.
The trailer sailer will find a couple of launching options in the Blackwater area, with perhaps the marinas Tollesbury, Bradwell and Blackwater being the best options for launching larger boats.
For smaller craft the free slipway at Maldon town offers access at a quarter of the tidal range, but the maximum size engine permitted here is a 25 hp and no PWC's. There is an 8 Knt speed limit 250 m off the shore, while officials have radar speed guns and will prosecute.
Boatyards & Boatyard Services
David Patient Shipwright Ltd
Fullbridge Wharf
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4LE
Heritage Marine Engineering Ltd
Downs Road Boatyard
Downs Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HQ
OMH Marine Engineering
2 The Lane
West Mersea
Essex
CO5 8NU
West Mesea Marine Ltd
Victory Dock
Coast Road
West Mersea
Essex
CO5 8LT
Tollesbury Saltings Ltd
The Sail Loft
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Jamie Clay Wooden Boatbuilding
6 Victoria Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HF
CRS Marine Ltd
The Boatyard
Basin Road
Heybridge Basin
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4RS
Peter Clarke Boatyard & Chandlers
128 Coast Road
West Mersea
Essex
CO5 8PA
Chandlers
Davey & Co London Ltd
West India House
1 Commerce Way
Whitehall Road Industrial Estate
Colchester
Essex
CO2 8HR
Yacht Equipment Shop
71-73 Main Road
Danbury
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 4DJ
What to Do
The various pubs and eateries around the marinas and mooring places have already been touched on.
If you are lucky enough to get moored up at Maldon you will have much more of a choice than anywhere else in this area. A couple of links are provided below to show you what's available here and it's worth noting that the Blue Boar has got a very high rating, and brews its own beer on site.
Pubs
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/results.shtml/el/Maldon%3BEssex/
Restaurants
Restaurants & Places to Eat in Maldon - Tripadvisor
While looking through the restaurants I can't help noticing
that Maldon has a Pie and Mash shop... first time I've ever
seen this in a harbour, and only of much relevance to Londoners.
Apart from that there are the usual Indian restaurants, Chinese
restaurants etc.
For families the Madison Heights entertainment centre nearby has bowling, snooker, and an indoor play area for young kids and as well as bars and restaurants.
Yacht Clubs and Associations
Tollesbury Sailing Club
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Stone Sailing Club
Tinnocks Lane
St Lawrence Bay
Nr Southminster
Essex
CM0 7NF
Slaughden Sailing Club
Slaughden Quay
Slaughden Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
Gunfleet Sailing Club
Lower Marine Parade
Holland on Sea
Essex
Den Phillips Marine Photographer
The Barn
Carmelite Way
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5FJ
Marine Photographer verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Marine Photographer - Classic Yacht & Boat Calendars, Greeting Cards & Framed Prints.
History
Bradwell Power Station
Bradwell power station is a twin Magnox reactor nuclear power station now undergoing decommissioning following shutdown at the end of March 2002 after 40 years of operation. It is located on the Dengie peninsula at the mouth of the River Blackwater in Essex, England.
Construction of Bradwell power station began in December 1957 and electricity generation started in 1962. It was one of eleven Magnox nuclear power stations commissioned in the United Kingdom between 1956 and 1971. In 1966, twenty natural uranium fuel rods were stolen from Bradwell.
The station had 2 reactors, each rated at 121 MWe, and generated nearly 60 TW·h of electricity during its operational life. On a typical day it could supply enough electricity to meet the needs of three towns the size of Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend put together.
Bradwell was built on the edge of a former World War II airfield, one and a half miles from the Essex coastline. Its location was deliberately chosen as the land had minimal agricultural value, offered easy access, was geologically sound and had an unlimited source of cooling water from the North Sea. In 1999, it was announced that the station would cease operation in 2002 - the first UK station to be closed on a planned basis.
This is one of the sites being considered by British Energy for redevelopment in a new round of nuclear reactors.
Tollsebury.
Tollesbury is a village in England, located on the Essex coast at the mouth of the River Blackwater. It is situated nine miles east of the historic port of Maldon and 12 miles south of Colchester (Britain's oldest recorded town).
For centuries Tollesbury, the village of the plough and sail,
relied on the harvests of the land and the sea, the main trade and
export of Tollesbury has for a long time been Oysters which still
thrives to this day.
Contents
The village sign
On the 'Plough' side of the carved village sign the ploughman and his team of horses are depicted working the land, agriculture goes on down to the waters edge. Pictured on the right of the sign are fishing smacks on the River Blackwater. The village church can be seen on the top left side of the sign. A mallard and a hare are pictured on the supports.
The 'Sail' side of the sign shows the weather boarded Sail lofts. The centre of the sign shows the yacht 'Endeavour II' which was the 1937 British challenger for the America's Cup, on the left is depicted the fishing smack 'Sallie'. Oysters and fish, harvests from the Blackwater, are shown on the supports.
Features of the village
At one time Tollesbury was served by six public houses, the village now has two: The Hope and The Kings Head. Built in 1923 the Hope Inn stands in the High Street on the site of the previous Hope Inn.
At the centre of the village is 'The Square', which was also known as 'The Green' but correctly called Church Street. On the west side of the Square is the Kings Head Public House, which was traditionally the seafarers public house. It was here that the Tollesbury Yacht Skippers Club was formed when the village was gaining a reputation as a yachting centre during the early part of the 20th century. Alterations were made to the pub in 1902 during which parts of a copy of the Great Bible of 1540 were found in the attic.
Cottages line either side of the Square, some of which have been built using bricks which were manufactured locally. On the east side of the Square is the Village Lock-up and Saint Mary's church. Tucked away in the south east corner of The Square, by the church wall stands the village Lock-up or Cage.
This wooden building would have been where drunks were held until they sobered up. With the village having six public houses at one stage, the Lock-up probably saw quite a bit of business itself.
Maldon
Maldon's name comes from Mael meaning 'meeting
place' and dun meaning 'hill', so
translated as "meeting place on the hill". East Saxons settled the
area in the fifth century and the area to the south is still known
as the Dengie peninsula after the Dæningas. It became a
significant Saxon port with a hythe or Quayside and artisan
quarters. Evidence of imported pottery from this period has been
found in archaeological digs. From 958 there was a royal mint
issuing coins for the late Anglo-Saxon and early Norman kings.
It was one of the only two towns in Essex (Colchester was the other), and King Edward the Elder lived here while combating the Danish settlers who had overrun North Essex and parts of East Anglia. A Viking raid was beaten off in 924, but in another raid in 991 the defenders were defeated in the Battle of Maldon and the Vikings received tribute but apparently did not attempt to sack the town. It became the subject of the epic poem Battle of Maldon.
According to the Domesday Book there were 180 townsmen in 1086. The town still had the mint and supplied a warhorse and warship for the king's service in return for its privileges of self-government. There were strong urban traditions here with two members elected to the Commons and three guilds which hosted lavish religious plays until they were suppressed by Puritans in 1576. Then, until 1630, professional actors were invited to perform plays, which were also stopped by Puritans. From 1570 to about 1800 a rival tradition of inviting prominent clergy to visit the town also existed. In 1629 a series of grain riots took place, led by the wife of a local butcher.
In the seventeenth century Thomas Plume started the Plume Library to house over 7,000 books printed between 1470 and his death in 1704; the collection has been added to at various times since 1704. The Plume Library is to be found at St. Peter's Church. Only the original tower survives, the rest of the building having been rebuilt by Thomas Plume to house his library (on the first floor) and Maldon Grammar School (on the ground floor).
The text on this HISTORY page is covered by the following
licence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License
Local Business
Brokers
MJ Lewis & Son Boat Sales Ltd
Downs Road Boatyard
Downd Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
IBS Boats International Ltd
Waterfront House
Ferry Road
North Fambridge
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 6LS
Rightboat.com
Eltime House
Hall Road
Maldon
CM9 4NF
Essex
CM9 4NF
Boat-Charters
Topsail Barge Charters Ltd
Cooks Yard
The Hythe
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HN
Daphne Carole Charter Boat
Bellropes
Maldon Road
Bradwell on Sea
Essex
CM0 7HY
Blackwater Boats
Bumblebee Cottage
Boxted Road
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5HF
We run trips and charters on this Navigation which is run by Essex Waterways Ltd. Our boat is called BLACKWATER ROSE and she will take up to 12 persons. The canal is 14 miles long and runs into Chelmsford Town Centre. We are based at Sandford Lock. I also do boat repair work and do training under the RYA guidelines for inland waterways. verified by VMH 01/04/2010
Eating-and-Drinking
Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club
North Drive
Mayland Sea
Essex
CM3 6AG
Marine-Gas-Engineers
Mistral Yachts Ltd
119 West Avenue
Mayland
Essex
CM3 6AE
We travel to London, Suffolk and Kent, carry out Gas Landlord Certification, New and Secondhand Boat Gas Certification, offering a proffessional service to the Marine Industry and private boat owner.
Marine-Engineering
APB Engineering
Unit C Mildmay Ind Estate
Foundry Lane
Burnham on Crouch
Essex
CM0 8SH
Maldon Marine Ltd
Unit 16 West Station Industrial Estate
Spital Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 6TW
JM Dines Marine Services
Down Road Boatyard
19 Downs Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
Tollesbury Marine Engineering
Woodrolfe Yachting Centre
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Holman & Pye Marine Consultancy
62 East Road
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8HD
Marine Maintenance Ltd
Marine House
41A Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Malseed Marine Engineering
110 Coast Road
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8NA
Volspec Engineering Ltd (1)
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Richard Parkinson Marine
6B Haycocks Farm
Haycocks Lane
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8SS
Thalest Engineering
The Woodrope Building
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Marine-Electrics
Mantsbrite Ltd
19F Spital Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 6DY
Servowatch Systems Ltd
Woodrope Building
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
P & S Automation Ltd
Unit 18 Cutlers Road
Saltcoats Industrial Estate
South Woodham Ferrers
Essex
CM3 5XJ
Sea-Schools
The Millbeach The Millbeach Marine Club
Goldhanger Road,
Heybridge,
Maldon,
Essex
CM9 4RA
Tollesbury Cruising Club
The Yacht Harbour
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Cirdan Sailing Trust
3 Chandlers Quay
Fullbridge
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4LF
North Sea Yachting & Motor Cruising Ltd
North Sea Centre
Coles Lane
Walton on The Naze
Essex
CO14 8SL
Bradwell Outdoors Club
Bradwell Waterside
Waterside Road
Bradwell on Sea
Southminster
Essex
CM0 7QY
Rigging-and-Riggers
TS Rigging
Downs Road Boatyard
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
Sailmakers-Repair-and-Covers
Gowan Ocean Sailmakers Ltd
130 Coast Road
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8PG
North Sea Sails
Ibex Sail Loft
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Yacht-Survey-and-Designs
Keith Millett (Surveyor)
Bureau Maritime Ltd
40 White Horse Lane
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5QP
Paul Stevens (Surveyor)
5 Seaview Parade
Mayland
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 6EL
Ark Surveys
137 Westering
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 7LX
Ark Surveys Operate In The Hampshire & Essex Areas.
Essex Office: Mr Lawrence Weldon Phone: 01621 857065
Hampshire Office: Mr Rhys Warren-Thomas Phone: 01794 521957
Other-Businesses
P J Downs & Son Boat Transports
5 Little Hills
Langford Road
Langford
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4SU
Falcon Blast Marine Cleaning Services Ltd
93 West Ave
Mayland
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 6AE
Mobile Marine Blast Cleaning & Osmosis Treatment, Most Boat Cleaning Maintenance Covered.
verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Gel N Shine Gelcoat Repair Specialist Ltd
9 Ridgeway
Maldon
Essex
CM9 6UF
Fully Mobile - Happy To Travel To Your Location. verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Gel Coat Specialist Repairs To Any Kind of GRP Manufactured Boat, Buffing & Polishing Service - Any Area of The Country.
Boat Repairs, Jet Ski Repairs, Bespoke GRP Products, Stress Cracks, Scuffs, Scrapes, Gouges, Thin Gel, Air Bubble Break Outs, Colour Matching Gelcoat Colours. Non-Slip Tread Mark.
Happy To Undertake Big & Small Work - Large Boats, Small Boats, Dinghies, Canoes. All Enquiries Welcome
Wilks Co Ltd
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8RY
Step-On-Safety Ltd
PO Box 9182
Maldon
Essex
CM9 9BG
Uncategorised
The Millbeach The Millbeach Marine Club
Goldhanger Road,
Heybridge,
Maldon,
Essex
CM9 4RA
Tollesbury Sailing Club
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Stone Sailing Club
Tinnocks Lane
St Lawrence Bay
Nr Southminster
Essex
CM0 7NF
P J Downs & Son Boat Transports
5 Little Hills
Langford Road
Langford
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4SU
Tollesbury Cruising Club
The Yacht Harbour
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Falcon Blast Marine Cleaning Services Ltd
93 West Ave
Mayland
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 6AE
Mobile Marine Blast Cleaning & Osmosis Treatment, Most Boat Cleaning Maintenance Covered.
verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Topsail Barge Charters Ltd
Cooks Yard
The Hythe
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HN
Keith Millett (Surveyor)
Bureau Maritime Ltd
40 White Horse Lane
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5QP
Paul Stevens (Surveyor)
5 Seaview Parade
Mayland
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 6EL
Cirdan Sailing Trust
3 Chandlers Quay
Fullbridge
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4LF
North Sea Yachting & Motor Cruising Ltd
North Sea Centre
Coles Lane
Walton on The Naze
Essex
CO14 8SL
APB Engineering
Unit C Mildmay Ind Estate
Foundry Lane
Burnham on Crouch
Essex
CM0 8SH
Maldon Marine Ltd
Unit 16 West Station Industrial Estate
Spital Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 6TW
River Bailiff Authority
River Bayliff
Hythe Quay
Maldon
Essex
Gel N Shine Gelcoat Repair Specialist Ltd
9 Ridgeway
Maldon
Essex
CM9 6UF
Fully Mobile - Happy To Travel To Your Location. verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Gel Coat Specialist Repairs To Any Kind of GRP Manufactured Boat, Buffing & Polishing Service - Any Area of The Country.
Boat Repairs, Jet Ski Repairs, Bespoke GRP Products, Stress Cracks, Scuffs, Scrapes, Gouges, Thin Gel, Air Bubble Break Outs, Colour Matching Gelcoat Colours. Non-Slip Tread Mark.
Happy To Undertake Big & Small Work - Large Boats, Small Boats, Dinghies, Canoes. All Enquiries Welcome
David Patient Shipwright Ltd
Fullbridge Wharf
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4LE
Slaughden Sailing Club
Slaughden Quay
Slaughden Road
Aldeburgh
Suffolk
Heritage Marine Engineering Ltd
Downs Road Boatyard
Downs Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HQ
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Paper Mill Lock
Hatfield Road
Little Baddow
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 4BS
OMH Marine Engineering
2 The Lane
West Mersea
Essex
CO5 8NU
JM Dines Marine Services
Down Road Boatyard
19 Downs Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
Tollesbury Marine Engineering
Woodrolfe Yachting Centre
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
TS Rigging
Downs Road Boatyard
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
MJ Lewis & Son Boat Sales Ltd
Downs Road Boatyard
Downd Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
West Mesea Marine Ltd
Victory Dock
Coast Road
West Mersea
Essex
CO5 8LT
Gunfleet Sailing Club
Lower Marine Parade
Holland on Sea
Essex
Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club
North Drive
Mayland Sea
Essex
CM3 6AG
Tollesbury Saltings Ltd
The Sail Loft
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Davey & Co London Ltd
West India House
1 Commerce Way
Whitehall Road Industrial Estate
Colchester
Essex
CO2 8HR
IBS Boats International Ltd
Waterfront House
Ferry Road
North Fambridge
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 6LS
Wilks Co Ltd
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8RY
Tollesbury Marina
Woodrolfe Boatyard
The Yacht Harbour
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Holman & Pye Marine Consultancy
62 East Road
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8HD
Jamie Clay Wooden Boatbuilding
6 Victoria Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HF
Bradwell Marina & Yacht Club
Port Flair Ltd
Waterside
Bradwell on Sea
Essex
CM0 7RB
Mantsbrite Ltd
19F Spital Road
Maldon
Essex
CM9 6DY
Den Phillips Marine Photographer
The Barn
Carmelite Way
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5FJ
Marine Photographer verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Marine Photographer - Classic Yacht & Boat Calendars, Greeting Cards & Framed Prints.
Daphne Carole Charter Boat
Bellropes
Maldon Road
Bradwell on Sea
Essex
CM0 7HY
Marine Maintenance Ltd
Marine House
41A Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Essex
CM9 8SE
Malseed Marine Engineering
110 Coast Road
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8NA
Volspec Engineering Ltd (1)
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Step-On-Safety Ltd
PO Box 9182
Maldon
Essex
CM9 9BG
Gowan Ocean Sailmakers Ltd
130 Coast Road
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8PG
Mistral Yachts Ltd
119 West Avenue
Mayland
Essex
CM3 6AE
We travel to London, Suffolk and Kent, carry out Gas Landlord Certification, New and Secondhand Boat Gas Certification, offering a proffessional service to the Marine Industry and private boat owner.
Rightboat.com
Eltime House
Hall Road
Maldon
CM9 4NF
Essex
CM9 4NF
Sail Loft Moorings
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury Saltings
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
North Sea Sails
Ibex Sail Loft
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Bradwell Outdoors Club
Bradwell Waterside
Waterside Road
Bradwell on Sea
Southminster
Essex
CM0 7QY
Servowatch Systems Ltd
Woodrope Building
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
P & S Automation Ltd
Unit 18 Cutlers Road
Saltcoats Industrial Estate
South Woodham Ferrers
Essex
CM3 5XJ
Richard Parkinson Marine
6B Haycocks Farm
Haycocks Lane
West Mersea
Colchester
Essex
CO5 8SS
Downs Road Boatyard
Maldon
Essex
CM9 5HG
Restorations & Repairs, Moorings, Slips, 6T Cranage, Yacht Deliveries, Mechanical Servicing & Welding
verified by VMH 31/03/2010
Woodrolfe Boatbuilders & Repairs
The Yacht Harbour
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Blackwater Boats
Bumblebee Cottage
Boxted Road
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5HF
We run trips and charters on this Navigation which is run by Essex Waterways Ltd. Our boat is called BLACKWATER ROSE and she will take up to 12 persons. The canal is 14 miles long and runs into Chelmsford Town Centre. We are based at Sandford Lock. I also do boat repair work and do training under the RYA guidelines for inland waterways. verified by VMH 01/04/2010
CRS Marine Ltd
The Boatyard
Basin Road
Heybridge Basin
Maldon
Essex
CM9 4RS
Peter Clarke Boatyard & Chandlers
128 Coast Road
West Mersea
Essex
CO5 8PA
Blackwater Marina
Marine Parade
Maylandsea
Essex
CM3 6AN
Yacht Equipment Shop
71-73 Main Road
Danbury
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 4DJ
Thalest Engineering
The Woodrope Building
Woodrolfe Road
Tollesbury
Maldon
Essex
CM9 8SE
Ark Surveys
137 Westering
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 7LX
Ark Surveys Operate In The Hampshire & Essex Areas.
Essex Office: Mr Lawrence Weldon Phone: 01621 857065
Hampshire Office: Mr Rhys Warren-Thomas Phone: 01794 521957
Tide Information for blackwater-marinas
Tidal Information