WALKING THE RIVER CHELMER & BLACKWATER NAVIGATION - END TO END - 19 MILES (Essex)x)

WALK BASICS -

The whole walk is covered by the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer
Series No. 183 - Chelmsford & The Rodings (Maldon & Witham).

The walk is planned to be done a day of about 7 hours, starting from Maldon. Although the navigation is only 14 miles long, you have to walk three miles to the Heybridge Basin from Maldon. This means that after some two hours of walking you are basically where you were when you started! Also you have the option of walking up the Langford Mill branch to Langford, where there is a cafe, fascinating church, Museum and a shop - “Heavenly Supplies”. Reaching
the end of the navigation in Chelmsford, a short walk brings into the centre and bus and rail stations. A walk of about 19 miles overall; long enough for a challenge and short enough to walk comfortably in a day.

I chose to walk from Maldon, on purpose, for the town is easily reached by a regular bus service from Chelmsford - Bus No. 31. As aresult I left my Car in Chelmsford and walked back to it, from Maldon. I followed the navigation from the sea to the town, but you can just as easily walk it from Chelmsford to the sea. Take note of the bus times back though!

There are very little facilities on the actual navigation. Inns and cafe in Maldon and Heybridge Basin, but apart from a cafe at Langford and Paper Mill Lock, there is little else, apart from two tea cabins along the route from where boat trips operate - open summer months only. Basically carry all you need for the day.

The successful can obtain a special signed completion certificate and
embroidered canal lock badge.

Names added to my Walkers Roll of Honour page,

There is plenty of accommodation in Maldon and Chelmsford and full details can be obtained from the Tourist Offices.

MALDON TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, Wenlock Way, Maldon, Essex. CM9 SAD Tel.0162!1 856503 E-mail - tic@maldon.gov.uk

CHELMSFORD TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, I Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex. CM! JETel.01245 606606 = E-mail - mailbox@chelmsford.gov.uk

LOCK LIST- there are twelve locks, almost one a mile and 6 bridges.

Heybridge Sea Lock.
Beeleigh Lock.
Rickett’s Lock.Hoe Mill Lock.
Rushes Lock.Paper Mill Lock.
Little Baddow Mill Lock.
Stonham Lock.
Cuton Lock.
Sandford Mill Lock.
Barnes Mill Lock.
Springfield Lock.

Read down for Heybridge Basin to Chelmsford.
Read up for Chelmsford to Heybridge Basin