Navigation WalksAlong and around the Chelmer and Blackwater

Guiding you through Essex

This guide is issued by Essex County Council.

You can contact us in a number of ways.

By telephone:

01245 437291

By post:

Essex County CouncilPublic Rights of WayChelmsford CM1 1QH

By email:

prow.web@essexcc.gov.uk

or visit our website:

www.essexcc.gov.uk

ISBN No. 1852812508

Essex County Council – making Essex a better place to live and work.

The information contained in this document can be made available inalternative formats: large print, Braille, audio tape or on disk. We canalso translate this information into other languages.

All the information was accurate at the date of publication

Published June 2005

DSO

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1

Introduction

In the heart of Essex, the riversChelmer and Blackwater blendinto a navigation which flowsthrough the countryside to thesea. Once it provided aneconomic artery to the town ofChelmsford. Today it gives usthe chance to enjoy the gentlefarming scenery, the churches,mills and mansions along a livingwaterway with abundant wildlifefrom its source to the sea.

To celebrate the Chelmer andBlackwater Navigation, EssexCounty Council has produced acollection of walks on andaround the towpath betweenChelmsford and HeybridgeBasin. The walks range from agentle stroll on the sea wall tothe full 15-mile length of thetowpath.

Special thanks go to DudleyCourtman, Eddie Webb andWendy Russell for theirenthusiastic help with thispublication.

Contents

The History of the Chelmer 2 and Blackwater Navigation

Wendy’s story 6

circular walk onePalace walk 9

circular walk two 11Woodland walk

circular walk three 13Two Rivers walk

circular walk four 15Woodham Walter walk

circular walk five 17Beeleigh and Ulting walk

circular walk six 21Sea Lock walk

Wendy’s Easter walk 24The entire towpath

Circular walk maps 28

Wendy’s Easter walk map 46A view from the navigation

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The first attempts to canalisethe river began in earnest in1677. The landowners andmillers of Maldon opposed thenavigation, fearing it wouldmean the loss of tolls on theroads across Danbury Hill andthe river, once tamed into anavigation, could result in areduced water flow (the powersource for the mills). The highquality of arable land in theregion had led to many cornmills being erected. With fewwindmills in the area, thewatermills held a strong andfinancially successful position.

As the forests of Essex werecut down areas such as Great Dunmow and GreatWaltham were paying fivetimes the rate for coal. In 1793,Lord Petre began the attemptto get a Bill before parliament.Mr Lionel Lucking complained

in his evidence to the House ofCommons “that the carriagesof the inhabitants of the manyparts of the county are obligedto be out for three days tofetch coal which they could doin one if the Navigation weremade.” The need for areasonable transportationsystem for goods hadincreased ten fold and afternumerous wrangles andopposition from the people ofMaldon, the Act was finallypassed in 1793 (over 100 yearsafter the first attempt).

Today, the Chelmer andBlackwater Navigation is theonly navigation still in privatehands. All the original powersof the Act remain including the power vested in Justices of the Peace to deport anyone to Australia for acts of criminal damage.

The History of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation

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A view from the navigation

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This was necessary due to theexceptionally low draft of only2ft of water. No othernavigation functioned in suchshallow water. Cargo wasmainly wood, coal, lime,manure, wheat and sugar beet.The barges were often namedafter the wives of thenavigation men or a particularevent in their lives. There wereno families actually living onthe navigation, although manylived along the route. Manylocal people were not onlybound by the waterway, butalso intermingled in marriage.

Horses hauled the bargesalong the towpath to Paper milllock where they were wateredand rested up for the night.This was the halfway point andrepresented a day’s work forthe canal horse. All breeds ofheavy horse were used on thecanal. The last horse to workon the navigation wasChelmsford Duke whichbelonged to the Chelmer and

Blackwater Navigation Co inthe 1950’s. The Navigation isfull of history, wildlife andenjoyment. Today there aremany people actively involvedin making sure it is maintainedfor future generations.

The Chelmer Canal Trust is acharity which is activelyinvolved in the preservationand recreational use of thewaterway. New members arealways welcome. For moreinformation visitwww.chelmercanaltrust.co.uk

A view from the navigation

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The Chelmer and BlackwaterNavigation has a highlyrespectable architecturalpedigree. The navigation wasdesigned by the canal architectJohn Rennie (1761-1821).Rennie was famous for theconstruction of the Kennet andAvon Canal between Bristoland London. He had totalconfidence in his residentengineer, Richard Coates, whohad previously worked on theIpswich to StowmarketNavigation. He brought manyof his navigators (navvies) withhim from Suffolk to work onthe Chelmer and Blackwater.

After building the navigation,Coates’ association withChelmsford endured as heestablished the timberbusiness at Chelmsford wharfand later the Chelmsford GasCompany. As the businessesflourished, Coates establishedthe National Church School atSpringfield and restored thechurch there, where he was

eventually buried.

Heybridge Basin

There are twelve locks alongthe route which are situatedapproximately 1 mile apart,except for the 3 mile sectioncalled the Long Pond atHeybridge Basin. Originally,Thames barges would sail intothe sea lock at Heybridge tounload. Later, when the sealock was extended, Baltic shipsbrought in wood fromScandinavia, which wasunloaded into lighters (shallowopen boats) for transportationto Chelmsford.

All of the working boats on the navigation were lighters,used for the transport ofgoods. The original horse-drawn lighters had twinrudders to assist steerage.

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‘Kings’ mill lock at Little Baddow

Wendy’s father the water bailiff

When William married Matildain 1896, they moved to LittleBaddow mill. William ran thecoal yard whilst Matilda ran thetea room and the shop whereshe kept the eel traps andjellied the eels for sale. Shealso hired out the rowing boatsto visitors and helped herhusband load the coaldeliveries in the mornings.When she was not doing that,she brought up nine children!

Because of this longassociation with the family,Little Baddow mill is alsoknown locally as ‘Kings’ mill.

Eva King, William and Matilda’sseventh child married Ernie in1933. They moved to Hoe millin 1937.

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The people of the navigationdid not seem to stray very far.Wendy Russell, the formerwater bailiff, recalls memoriesof her family who have livedand worked on the navigationfor generations.

Goods transport before container lorries!

Wendy’s grandfather WilliamKing and his brother George’sfamily came from Sandford millon the navigation. William andGeorge worked on the river forover 40 years.

Wendy’s story

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Danbury Palace built in 1832

The village of Danbury is full ofopen spaces and plenty ofhistory. The walk takes youthrough the country park andaffords views of DanburyPalace. Built in 1832 it is anexample of Tudor Gothic, theVictorians’ love affair with thearchitecture of the past. At onetime it was the residence of theBishops of Rochester andhence acquired the title ofpalace. In the Second World

War it became a maternityhospital for women fromLondon’s East End escaping theblitz. When the war ended localwomen also had their babies atthe palace. Today it is atraining and conference centre.

The church at Danbury is wellworth a visit and both thestories of the Devil and thePickled Knight are welldocumented. It is the lastresting-place of the St Cleresfamily whose former home you will pass (St Cleres Hall). In the church are woodeneffigies honouring knightsdating back to 1300. In 1779 a coffin of an unknown knightwas opened and the corpsewas found lying in a picklingfluid not unlike mushroomketchup according to a Mr T. White who took it uponhimself to taste it!

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Ernie worked for SouthendWater Company at theLangford Works and was thewater bailiff for ChelmsfordAngling Club all his workinglife, apart from a short spell inreserved occupation buildingmotor torpedo boats at SaddsTimber Yard of Maldon.

Wendy was their only child andgrew up at Hoe mill where shecarried on the family traditionof water bailiff until 1980.Wendy’s mother continued tolive at the mill until 1981.

Hoe mill lock

In the 1830s Hugh Constable,brother of John Constable theSuffolk artist, lived at Hoe mill.John Constable was a familiarvisitor to the Chelmer andBlackwater. Descendants of thefamily lived in the area untilthe 1950s. His fascination withrivers, mills, locks and boatbuilding is a valuable source ofinformation for industrialarchaeologists, as well asadmirers of his artistic talent.

Hugh Constable took a fiveyear honeymoon on the GrandTour during which his daughter,Arowinowa Constable, wasborn. Years later she painted apicture of her home at Hoe mill.The little watercolour is stillwith Wendy’s family today.

The final walk in the collectionis dedicated to Wendy.

Palace walksee maps on pages 28-31 ci

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In verdant spring or onautumnal days this walk warmsthe senses with the evocativescents and scenery of thewoodland. Blakes Wood isowned by the National Trust.Traditionally coppiced sweetchestnut and hornbeam can be seen here. You can walkthrough woodland untouchedsince the storms of 1987 andsee how nature regeneratesitself on the forest floor.

Springtime brings a carpet ofbluebells. In earlysummer the quiet glades arethe nightingale’sauditorium. In autumn,blazing colourswarm us beforethe dark days of winter.

Graces Walk

The tree-lined avenue besideGreat Graces Farm crossesSandon Brook. In 1615 AliceMildmay came to Great Gracesas a child bride. Following herwedding Alice drowned herselfin the brook ‘by reason of herhusband’s unkindness’ and herghost is said to walk by thebridge. A local clergymanturned this real event into anovel entitled ‘Graces Walk’.

Woodland walk see map on pages 32-33

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The other story unfolds withthe devil entering the churchdisguised as a monk and thewind tearing the church roof offat that very moment. The devilis supposed to have returnedto steal a bell from the tower,but later dropped it on what isnow Bell Hill, where it wasbelieved to be buried.

Danbury Church

On Corpus Christie daie atevensong time, the devill (as was thought) appeared in a towne in Essex calledDanburie, entring the church in likeness of a greie friar,behaving himself verieoutrageouslie, plaieng hisparts like a devill indeed so the parishioners were put in amarvellous fight.”Holinshead Chronicles of 1402

There is a chance to visit LittleBaddow Church and the fruitfarm on this walk. Where thebridleway meets the roadjunction at Little Baddow Halltake a moment to enjoy theview of the grounds atRiffhams. The house was builtin 1817 by John Spencer-Phillips. We are thebeneficiaries of his foresight;those who planted the treescould only imagine the beautyof the mature landscape.

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The River Ter joins the Chelmeralong this stretch of thenavigation. Along theriverbanks you will regularlysee tall willows. Unlike theweeping willow we associatewith the riverbank, this speciesis a crop. After carefulmanagement these trees areharvested to produce some ofthe finest cricket bats in thecountry. The waterways providethe ideal growing conditionsfor strong straight timber.

These ideal growing conditions are a mixedblessing. The navigation hasbeen invaded by the floatingpennywort which insists ongrowing in abundance despiteall efforts to eradicate it. This exotic plant is a native of South America and has madeits way inadvertently into theriver via a garden pond.

It grows so well it chokes upthe waterway and has to beremoved because itoverwhelms native plants andanimals, stops recreational useand becomes a health andsafety hazard when dogs andchildren try to walk on it.

Willows on the River Ter

Two rivers walksee maps on pages 34-37

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Waterhall Meadows alongsideSandon Brook is managed forthe benefit of wildlife andvisitors by Essex Wildlife Trust.The spring brings the cowslipsand the summer brings acarpet of lady’s bedstraw.

Away from the village, itwouldbe worth your while tostop at St Mary’s Church inLittle Baddow. Look inside atthe elegant and beautifullycarved oak effigies set in stonerecesses, dating from 1330 andthe wall painting of StChristopher of 1375. Thecalming aura of this simplelittle church cannot fail totouch you. Behind the churchis St Mary’s Garden, plantedwith flowers and shrubs withheavenly connotations.

Oak effigies, Little Baddow Church

Holybred is an attractivewoodland along the route thatdeserves a mention. It wasonce attached to HolybredsFarm. In the 16th century thefarm was given to baking breadand brewing ale which wassold for the benefit of thechurch or ‘parish funds’. Hence‘Holybreads’, the bakes andbrews were sold for feast daysheld in the church. It musthave proved too popular, for itwas stopped by the ChurchAles Act in 1603.

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A walk around WoodhamWalter offers scenic views. The Danbury Ridge (a gravelcovered plateau) contains afew small pockets of Essexheathland. Woodham WalterCommon, Blakes Wood andLingwood Common are alsoheathland sites on the ridgecomplex which are activelymanaged. This management isneeded to prevent succession(the dominance of specieswhich will eventually take overand turn the landscape towoodland).

Woodham Walter Common ismanaged by controllingbracken and encouraging lowgrowing heathland speciessuch as ling heather. Thispurple carpet in open glades in the woodland is a welcomechange in the landscape. The colour intensifies insummer and autumn as therowan trees begin to fruit.

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Woodham Walter walksee map on pages 38-39

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This walk can be halved ifpreferred as it follows a figureof eight, crossing at Paper milllock. Mills have been recordedon this site from as early as1272. Originally a corn mill, itwas believed to have beenconverted to paper making in1679. At one time there weretwo mills on the central island,one grinding corn and onemaking rags into pulp forpaper making.

Upstream at Paper mill lock in winter

Paper mill lock was the halfwayhouse for bargees and theirhorses. The Heybridge menwould come upstream and theChelmsford men downstream.They would sleep in the bothy(bunkhouse) and stable theirhorses overnight. Such was therivalry between the two groupsthat fights regularly broke outand another bothy had to bebuilt on the other side of theriver to separate them!

In summertime the stables are open as a tearoom.

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Woodham Walter Common

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A feast of features awaits youin this walk, beginning at theMuseum of Power with itsoriginal steam driven pumps.Both the building and theengines are now ScheduledAncient Monuments. Open tothe public every day exceptMonday and run by volunteers.You have the chance to admirethe magnificent steam enginesthat pumped the water supplyto Southend-on-Sea from theRiver Blackwater. The work ofthe museum involves exhibitionsand demonstrations of all typesof power and movement. The museum is always lookingfor volunteers for restorationand general help. You may parkthere if you are walking, butcheck first with the staff.

The beautiful Beeleigh Falls are one of the best keptsecrets of Essex.

Langford steam pumps

The weir system controls thepoint where the Rivers Chelmerand Blackwater meet the sea.Below the weirs the river istidal and the brackish waterprovides a valuable reed bedhabitat. Above the weir thefresh water is perfect forKingfishers who can often beseen in the area.

Beeleigh and Ulting walksee maps on pages 40-43

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The area is popular withwildflower enthusiasts. Inspring it is possible to view a wealth of species on theDanbury Ridge such as Lily ofthe Valley, Yellow Archangeland the Greater ButterflyOrchid, as well as favouritessuch as the Bluebell and theWood Anemone.

This is golfing country with twocourses in the area affordingviews of open landscape.

The scenery of the ChelmerValley can be viewed nearGibbs House on the Little

Baddow Road and along thefootpath leading to RetreatFarm on Bassetts Lane.

A stream runs alongside thehouse at Blue mill with itsimpressive manicured sunkenlawn. In the past, this was asite of watercress beds. Across the road the streamruns along a delightful woodedlane. The course of the streamis constantly changing here sobe prepared!

The village is well served forpubs, but if you prefer yourpicnic take it to Hoe mill.

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The Cats on Blue Mill Lane

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Ulting Church

Ulting Church is set exquisitelyon the bank of the navigation.Built in the 13th century thelittle church was restored in1873. Only accessible on footfrom the village, this is a Grade II listed building.

The extensive restoration ofthe church occurred in a periodof ecclesiastical and spiritualrevival inspired by the romanticmovement. During this timemany new churches were builtimitating the Gothic style andmany original examplesbenefited from renewedinterest.

You could be forgiven forpassing by the little gravestonesin this churchyard when takingin the beauty of thesurroundings. Weathered andalmost lost are a few touchingpoems of remembrance fromaround 1800.

Ulting Church graveyard

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Beeleigh Falls in flood

The remains of Beeleigh millcan be seen next to BeeleighFalls House. In 1875 the five-storey building was destroyedin a fire that could be seen fromChelmsford and Colchester.The flow of the Chelmer ranunderneath the mill in thosedays as barges with grain pulledup to unload their cargo. Themilling gear, Wentworth steamengine and ‘Elephant’ boilerare still intact. Viewing detailscan be found at the nearbymuseum. The lovely BeeleighFalls House with its wroughtiron veranda conjures upimages of a more genteel age.

It is a worthwhile detour tocatch a glimpse of the 13thcentury Beeleigh Abbey, homeof the late Christina Foyle ofthe world renowned FoylesBookshop. The Abbey wasfounded in 1180 although mostof the remains are 13thcentury. The Abbey is notcurrently open to the publicbut can be viewed from thefootpath.

Beeleigh Abbey

Follow the gentle landscape ofthe Chelmer through fields andwoodlands to Hoe Mill Bridgetaking time to watch theactivity at the lock.

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She that lies here we hope at rest,

With her infant at her brest,

A loving wife and mother dear,

Such was she that lieth here

Husband and children be content,

for unto you I was but lent,

My debt is paid my grave to see,

Wait but a while and you’ll follow me.

A daughter dear lies sleeping here,

To keep us fresh in mind,

For die we must and turn to dust,

And leave this world behind.

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Heybridge sea lock is filledwith activity in any season.Sailing craft moor up wherebarges once brought theircargoes of coal, timber, grain,sugar beet and manure. Today, leisure is the businesson the river, but in formertimes it was a hive of industrialactivity. It has a lively yetrelaxed atmosphere and whilstman has tamed the water intoa navigation, nature will haveher way and dictates the tide.

Heybridge Basin

Sea Lock walksee map on pages 44-45

Notice the little carved mouseon the lychgate and the ornatecast ironwork on the grave ofJohn Sampson Piggott (died1877 aged 31). His family weremajor contributors to therestoration of the church.

Ulting Church lychgate

Four little houses known asSugar Baker’s Cottages nestleclose to the water by the oldpipeline across the river.Nothing remains today exceptthe name, but in 1832 it wasthe site of a courageousattempt to begin a newindustry by producing sugarfrom sugar beet.

In the 1800s all of Britain’ssugar came from the WestIndian colonies and slaverywas the cornerstone of theWest Indian sugar trade.Robert Marriage, a devoutQuaker, attempted to developthe new process, not incompetition with the caneindustry but in opposition toslavery. Complainantsconvinced Parliament that thenew process could destabilisethe social order and it washeavily taxed, which sadlycontributed to its failure.Ironically in less than 200years the majority of the UKsugar supply comes from EastAnglian sugar beet.

Ulting Wick Bridge

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Wander along the sea wall andbreathe in the fresh salt marshair. Depending on the seasonyou may see common tern,oystercatchers, redshanks,shelducks, swifts andswallows. In the colder monthsthe estuary is alive withoverwintering birds. In summertime the sea wallblossoms with mallow,bindweed, gorse and broom.Look across the water toMaldon where the Thamesbarges are moored. It is oftenpossible to see one in full sail.

Joining the navigation againand walking back along thetowpath you will pass thecemetery. Although it is nolonger used today, there is aspecial gate in the Heybridgecemetery where the funeralprocession barges stoppedalong the navigation.

On the navigation there is acontrast in the ecology wherefresh water supports iris,astilbes, king cups, comfrey,marjoram and water mint.

In summertime, terns swoop to snatch a fish, whilst martinsscoop up insects in flight.Dragonflies and damselflieshover like iridescent jewels.

Returning to the sea lockwhere the ropes and halyards clink on the sailing boats, youmight visit the local pubs orcafé, all of which are popularmeeting places for mariners. In the days of the workingnavigation, the clogs of visitingDutch sailors were a commonsight outside the pubs.

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Irises on the banks of the

navigation

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This is an all day bracing walkfollowing the whole length ofthe towpath from Chelmsfordto Heybridge Basin. A busservice runs hourly (checktimetables) that will return youto Chelmsford. It is about amile between locks except thefinal one between Beeleighand Heybridge which is 3 milesand known as the ‘Long Pond.’

Begin at Springfield Basin, theoriginal site of the timber yardowned by Richard Coates theengineer of the navigation.From here, follow Wharf Roadrunning beside the navigationto Springfield Lock, cross theoriginal old bridge and followthe towpath to the watermeadows under the flyoverpassing the new Essex RecordsOffice on your left. Follow thetowpath passing Barns,Sandford and Cuton locks andthen to Stonham’s lock withviews of Danbury Ridge onyour right.

The next stop is Little Baddow(Kings) lock and then on toPaper mill lock, home of theChelmer and BlackwaterNavigation.

This is a popular spot foranglers and pleasure boatswith a tea shop to visit insummer. The towpath followsthe open countryside of theChelmer valley to Hoe mill lock.This is another popular placefor boating.

The next lock along the route is Ricketts lock close to the Sugar Bakers Cottages, the siteof the first sugar beetprocessing factory in thiscountry. The navigation isparticularly beautiful along thissection and it has changedlittle in 200 years. Follow thepath under the pipeline whichwas originally installed by theSouthend Water Company tocarry water from the Chelmer.This supplied the people ofSouthend on Sea with water inthe days before HanningfieldReservoir was constructed.

Wendy’s Easter walk15 miles along the entire towpath – see maps on pages 46-49

Every Good Friday as a young woman, Wendy would walk the

length of the towpath from Heybridge Basin to Chelmsford.

When asked why, her reply was the same as Sir Edmund Hillary

on climbing Mount Everest, “Because it was there.”

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Some of the land at Beeleighbelongs to the Essex andSuffolk Water Authority. The Museum of Power atLangford contains the originalsteam pumps.

At Langford the route crossesthe weir at Beeleigh Falls andfollows the boundary ofMaldon golf club. The weir is aparticularly beautiful spot andno excuse is needed to linger awhile. There will be a chance tovisit Beeleigh again onanother walk.

The last lock before HeybridgeBasin is the Long Pond. Alongthe towpath, the walk passesthe former ironworks ofBentalls. At the turn of the lastcentury every East Anglianfarm owned a piece ofagricultural machinery bearingtheir name. From here, makeyour way to the sea lock atHeybridge Basin.

Imagine setting out at firstlight from here as the canalmen did in days gone by. The horses would wear sackingon their feet to avoid wakingthe locals.

Thames barges would sail into the sea lock to load andunload. Today it is leisure craft and in the summertimeyou can see the lock workingat high tide.

Thames Barges

Enjoy well earned refreshmentsat the local pubs or cafe andtake in the views of the estuarybefore you journey home.

Maldon views from Beeleigh

New Lodge

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Hurrells Lane

Little BaddowChurch

Little BaddowHall

Little BaddowLock

weir

StonhamsLock

CutonLock

Navigation

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RumboldsFarm

LingwoodCommon

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Great Graces

Graces Walk

Long Spring Wood

Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve

LittleGraces

Sandon Brook

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Blakes Wood

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Holybred Wood

Holybreds Farm

Holybread Lane

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New Lodge

Old Hare WoodSt CleresHall

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Graces Walk

Long Spring Wood

LittleGraces

Sandon Brook

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Blakes Wood

GravelWorks

Hall Wood

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Heather Hills

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Graces Walk

Long Spring Wood

Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve

LittleGraces

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Blakes Wood

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Holybred Wood

Holybreds Farm

Holybread Lane

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Holybreds Farm

Holybread Lane

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Old Hall

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BrakeyWood

BelsteadCottage

Worlds EndCottage

BottersFarm

GardenersFarm

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GardenersFarm

BridgeFarm

River Ter

Cardfields Farm

BumfordsBridge

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weir

Bumfords Lane

River TerNOUNSLEY

Mowden Hall Lane

Sportsmans Lane

Nounsley Roadweir

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WoodhamWalter Common

Twitty Fee

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Bunsay DownsGolf Course

Gravel Works

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Little London Farm

Hoemill Bridge

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Hoe Mill Barns

Hoe Mill

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LockHouse

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Ravens Farm

WoodhamWalter Churchplaying

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The Bell

QueenVictoria The

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WhitehouseFarm Curling Tye

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Blue Mill LaneThe Cats

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Spring Elms Lane

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West Bowers Road

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Bunsay DownsGolf Course

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Hoemill Bridge

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Sugar MillCottages

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Museum of Power

LangfordWaterworks

Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation

SouthlandsFarm

Langford Road

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StammersFarm

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church

Hoe Mill Barns

Hoe Mill

weir

LockHouse

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Ravens Farm

playing

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QueenVictoria The

Wilderness

old gravel pits

WhitehouseFarm

Curling Tye Green

Rectory Road

Blue Mill LaneThe Cats

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West Bowers Road

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Reservoirs

River Blackwater

Langford Cut

BeeleighLock

Beeleigh Mill(remains) &BeeleighFallsHouse

Beeleigh Abbey

Beeleigh GrangeFarm River Chelmer

Maldon Golf Club

Hatfield Road

Museum of Power

LangfordWaterworks

LANGFORDLANGFORANGFORD

Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation

SouthlandsFarm

Langford Road

Ulting L

ane

UltingHall

StammersFarm

Hoe Mill Barns

Hoe Mill

Hoe

Mill

Road

Th B ll

QueenVictoria The

Wilderness

old gravel pits

WhitehouseFarm

Curling Tye Green

Rectory Road

Blue Mill LaneThe Cats

ManorFarm

WoodlandsGuysFarm

Abbe

y Tu

rnin

g

Manor Road

Hop Gardens L

ane

BlueMill

schoolch

Beeleigh and Ulting walk continued4342

circ

ular

wal

kfi

veN

River Chelmer

Maldon Golf Club

HeybridgeSea Lock

Lock KeepersCottage

NortheyIsland

River Blackwater

old gravel pits

HEYBRIDGEBASIN

chaletpark

Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation

cemetary

HEYBRIDGE

MALDON

The Hythe

Maldon Promenade

Sailing Club

Mill Beach

Sailing Club

Tesco

shops

Sea Lock walk4544

circ

ular

wal

ks

ixN

Paper MillBridge

Chelmsford

Bumfords Lane

ChelmerVillage

Great Baddow

Rushes Lock

weirweir

weir

CardfieldsFarm

CulvertsFarm

Little BaddowChurch

PhillowsFarm

A12

A138

Worlds EndCottage

CompanyOffices

Paper MillLock

Little BaddowMill Lock

BrookEnd

Stonham's Lock

CutonLock

SandfordLock

SandfordWaterworks

Army & NavyFlyover

Barns MillLock

SpringfieldLock

SpringfieldBasin

TownCentre

Museum

HolyybredsWoodod

BrakeyWood

NewWoodLittle

Baddow

Telephone

Parking

Refreshments

Picnic Area

Public HoHouse

Toileets

Footbridge

Weir

Lock

Wendy’s Easter walk4746

In the heart of Essex, the rivers Chelmer andBlackwater blend into a canal which flowsthrough the countryside to the sea.

HoemillBridge

Langford

Heybridge

Maldon

HeybridgeBasin

LangfordCutg

Cutg

FloodGates

gravelpits

cemetery

NortheyIsland

River Blackwater

B1026

B1019

B1018

A414

B102

2

Ulting Lane

Bumfords Lane

GolfCourse

TescoRiverChelmerWoodhamWalter

UltingUltingWick

LockKeepersCottage

Heybridge Sea Lock

y gSea Lock

y g

MaldonQuay

ChapmansBridge

Collie

rs R

each

Beeleigh Mill& Beeleigh Falls House

BeeleighLock

Rushes Lock

weir

RickettsLock

Hoe MillLock

Museum of Power

Sugar BakersMill Cottages

UltingChurch

oldquarries

CardfieldsFarm

UltingHall

Raven'sFarm

Beeleigh AbbeyH

oeM

illRo

ad

Telephone

Parking

Refreshments

Picnic Area

Public House

Toilets

Footbridge

Weir

Lock

Wendy’s Easter walk continued4948