Heybridge Basin

~ beetleypete


(All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them, so please do that.
Then use the extra icon to see all the detail!)

Last week, I visited my cousin in Essex. She lives close to Heybridge Basin, so we made the short drive to there, in very nice weather.
This article will tell you about the history of the place.
http://www.itsaboutmaldon.co.uk/basin/

Where the River Blackwater meets the sea, the tidal estuary is the place where freshwater joins seawater.
This lock allows boats out at high tide, and the lock-keeper’s cottage is still lived in by the lock-keeper.

On the canal side, some people live full-time on the water.

In a garden on the bank, ‘Marie’s Garden’ has become famous for the statues of wild animals displayed there.

When the tide is out, thick mud-banks and wading birds can be seen.

A Thames Sailing Barge was passing by. Now restored, these classic old ships were once a common site in the docks of central London.
If you enlarge the photo, you will see that the name is ‘The Blue Mermaid’.

Boating and sailing is very popular there of course, and there are many clubs operating in the area.

One of two local pubs, The Old Ship has been around for a long time and is popular with local people and holidaymakers too.

Still home to some light industry, the floating crane gives some idea that there is still work going on nearby.
The name of the crane ship is ‘Spartacus’. If you enlarge the photo, you will see that.

If you are ever in the Maldon area of South Essex, make the easy trip to Heybridge Basin, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon.

57 thoughts on “Heybridge Basin”

    1. I know it’s close to Chelmsford. I go down a few times a year, so will definitely let you know next time. That would be great! 🙂 A nice cream tea by the sea wall.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  5. That looks lovely, Pete. Where I live, Whitby has an estuary, which used to be a hub of boat-building (the old wooden fishing cobles), but all that remains now is one yard turning out steel-hulled trawlers, very efficiently, it would seem. Further up the river Esk, the scenery is delightful, however.

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      1. It sure looks like “boating heaven”! 🙂
        Btw, I hope you don’t mind: I pulled 2 pcitures from this post, enhanced them some, and am now using them – for a while – as my desktop background picture(s). On the high-resolution monitor they look fantastic.

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    1. Not far from where you live, and lots more to see in the area, Stevie. Mersea Island, Layer Marney Tower, and there is a Tiptree Jam Company Tea Room at the Basin too. Yes! I had a cream tea! Excellent fresh scones! 🙂
      (They do boat trips next to Marie’s Garden too)
      Best wishes, Pete.

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