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Chelmsford /Heybridge /Maldon - April 2009

The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation runs for nearly 14 miles between Chelmsford and Heybridge and makes a delightful walk taking four and a half hours at a reasonable pace. Paper Mill Lock is situated about half way along, and its cafe makes an excellent stopping off point for lunch or just a drink. An alternative and slightly shorter option is to finish the walk at the Tesco Superstore in Maldon, and a longer option is to walk from Heybridge back to Maldon along the estuary. There is a good bus service back to Chelmsford. The route described here covers the Chelmsford-Maldon-Heybridge-Maldon option, five and a half hours, and the walk time for each point on the route, measured in time from Chelmsford, is noted alongside key photographs.

Start Point/Time: Chelmsford Centre, 09-45 hrs

Chelmsford Sea Cadets Club House

Looking east towards the Essex Records Office

Springfield Lock (09-55 hrs) (10 mins)

Open meadows after leaving Chelmsford

Approaching Barnes Mill Lock

Barnes Mill Lock (10-10 hrs) (25mins)

Fisherman at Barnes Mill Lock

Bridge immediately after Barnes Mill Lock

Bundock's Bridge, just before Sandford Mill Lock

Sandford Mill Lock (10-30 hrs) (45 mins)

Stretch immediately after Sandford Mill Lock

After passing under the A12, there is a bridge over the canal which links in with Grace's Walk

Streatch of canal immediately after Grace's Walk Bridge

Broad beam boat near Cuton Lock

Cuton Lock with its Pill Box (10-45 hrs) (1 hour)

Open countryside before Stoneman's Lock

Baddow Mill Lock (11-15 hrs) (1 hr 30 mins)

View towards the weir at Baddow Mill Lock

Approaching Paper Mill Lock

Paper Mill Lock (11-40 hrs) (1 hr 55 mins)

Cafe at Paper Mill Lock

Paper Mill Lock

Cafe at Paper Mill Lock

"1951" footbridge before Rushe's Lock (12-10 hrs) (2 hrs 25 mins)

Church at Ulting Wick (12-25 hrs) (2 hrs 40 mins)

Approaching Hoe Mill Lock moorings

At Hoe Mill Lock (12-35 hrs) (2 hrs 50 mins)

Pipe Bridge shortly after Hoe Mill Lock (12-50 hrs) (3 hrs 5 mins)

Pipe Bridge shortly before Beeleigh Lock

Long Weir after Beeleigh Lock, with River Blackwater coming in from the left. (13-25 hrs) (3hrs 40 mins)

Chapman's Bridge, crossing point to the left hand side of the canal if you are going to Heybridge

Tesco Superstore at Maldon (13-40 hrs) (3hrs 55 mins)

Approaching Wave Bridge

The Old Ship at Heybridge (14-15 hrs) (4 hrs 30 mins)

Heading off along the estuary back to Maldon

Looking back towards Heybridge Sea Lock

Heading towards Maldon

Approaching Maldon

Boats moored at Maldon
(Maldon 15-15 hrs) (5 hrs 30 mins)