From Maldon to Heybridge Basin (Essex)
14th March 2022
It would seem that everyone we spoke to in Great Baddow said "You must visit Maldon", so we did! We chose a lovely sunny day and found ourselves at the wrong end of the carpark for the town. However, we discovered it was exactly the right location to observe the mud flats where the Rivers Chelmer and Blackwater converge. The tide was far out showing just how flat this piece of land is. From a distance it looked like a dinosaurs graveyard, but closer up you could see the structures of well rotted boats.
We followed the pathway to Maldon Promenade and took a look at the statue of the Saxon warrior Byrhtnoth overlooking the River Chelmer. He lost to the Vikings in the famous Battle of Maldon in 991. At this time there were only two towns in Essex, they were Colchester and Maldon. Today Maldon is more famously associated with its sea salt which is sold worldwide.
As you walk into the town, you can't miss the steam tug boat, Brent, and the tall sailing ships moored at Maldon Quay. If you have better sealegs than me you can take rides around the Blackwater estuary in these ships.
The town of Maldon is dominated by St. Mary's Church on the Hythe Quay which has a grade 1 listed Norman nave from 1130. Inside is a stained glass window commemorating the Battle of Maldon. We did not have time on this occassion to explore the town more fully, but will return on another day.
We next drove to Heybridge and walked up to the banks of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation (a canal). I was intending to walk to Heybridge Basin but turned to the wrong direction. Nevertheless, it was a lovely walk along the waterway and I'm sure we will be back to walk in the other direction some day soon.
Postscript….. Searching for a sunset in Heybridge Basin.
I belong to the Baddow Camera Club and on 19th April 2022 we headed off to Heybridge Basin in the hope of photographing a beautiful sunset. The tide was out and the mudflats were shimmering, but a huge cloud obscured the sun at the last moment. Anyway, here's my collection of photos.
