Key Information
Start: Springfield Lock,
Chelmsford, CM9 6LU
Finish: Heybridge
Basin, Maldon, CM9
4RP
Portages: 10
Time: 3 – 6.5 hours
Distance: 13 miles
OS Map: Explorer
183 Chelmsford and
The Rodings
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T0I2gJ
- Park at Wharf Road car park. Walk along the waterway and get in on the far side of the lock.
Put in just past the lock and turn left, then left again onto the canalised River Chelmer. - There are ten locks along your route. They must be portaged as canoes and kayaks are not permitted to
enter them. - Meander past water meadows, with an increasingly hilly and wooded backdrop.
- After a couple of miles, the Sandford Mill area provides a typical canalscape in its ‘cut’ between two
beautiful mellow brick bridges. - At your half way point you will come to Paper Mill Lock, with its tearooms and fascinating old canal
buildings. This is the perfect spot to stop for lunch. - There are quieter moorings at tranquil Hoe Mill and true Constable country between there and Rickett’s
Lock. - At just over 10 miles, there is a wonderful confluence of waters, as the navigation meets the River
Blackwater, the derelict Langford Cut, and the top of the tideway. You take the left fork, onto the Blackwater
here, and keep straight on. - After this, the Long Pond, a true canal now, carries the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation the last couple
of miles to its own little salty seaport at Heybridge basin, part of Maldon. - Finish at the boat landing stage by Daisy Meadow car park, Heybridge Basin.
Find out more
information at:
gopaddling.info
This is a quiet and rural trail. Paddle through open countryside, past old canal buildings and
converted stables.
The navigationwas used to transport coal, bricks and timberinland and mainly grain and flour out.Once
commercial craft ceased to use the navigation pleasure boatswere allowed to travel along it. Freeholder
ownership ofthe Navigation remainswith the originalCompany ofProprietors oftheChelmer&Blackwater
Navigation, butthe management ofthewaterway passed into the hands of EssexWaterways Ltd in 2005.
The upperwaters oftheChelmer,Can andWid join the top end ofthe Navigation and can be paddled (no
licence required)for a few miles aboveChelmsfordwhenwaterlevels permit.
There is the possibility of doing the trail over a couple of days or starting from Paper Mill Lock.There are two
pubs neartoBarnes Lock;Paper Mill has a teashop, and there are pubs and cafes at HeybridgeBasin.
Further useful information can be found on the following websites:
Licence
Discover More
Paddle Safe. Be prepared and take the right kit:
Check, Clean, Dry after every trip!
Licences: The waterways in this trail are managed by Essex Waterways Ltd and require paddlers to hold a
licence. Tel: 01494 783453, essex@waterways.org.uk Web: www.essexwaterways.com
Licences cost £5.00 for a single day, and there are generous discounts for weekly, monthly and annual periods.
A one day canoe licence is available to buy online. An annual canoe licence can also be bought online. Licences
will be valid for one year from the day the licence is purchased.i
Wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid
Mobile phone – in a waterproof case
Whistle – to attract attention in case of emergency
Map and / or route description
Appropriate clothing for the weather conditions +
spares in a dry bag
Food, drink & suncream!
We want you to enjoy a safe trip, so here are a few tips for staying safe and paddling responsibly.
Paddle Responsibly.Respect the natural environment
and other users:
Respect other waterway users #sharethespace
Be environmentally aware, minimise your impact
Ensure you have the correct licence if required
Observe navigational rules – keep right and give other
users space
s looked after by Essex Waterways Navigation Trust, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Essex Waterways Ltd. The waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex. It connects the city of Chelmsford with the Blackwater Estuary at Heybridge Basin.
We manage the Navigation on a non-profit making basis; we get no financial support from Government and we rely on a small number of dedicated staff and our amazing team of volunteers to keep the Navigation open, and hopefully make improvements as the years go by. Every time you buy a licence, or take a boat trip, or hire our canoes, you are helping to keep the Navigation going.
Please consider offering to volunteer for us, or help keep the waterway clear of litter, or think of us in your will! We rely on public support and your goodwill. We will do our best to make your visit a happy one, but if everything is not quite right, please bear with us and see how you can help – we do get a bit over-stretched at times.
For trip boat, caravan and motor home bookings, canoe hire, licences and Navigation enquires, contact our Paper Mill Office on 01245 226245
Contact details for Chelmer and Blackwater
General Enquiries
essex@essexwaterways.com If you don’t get a quick response, it means that we are really busy. If you need an urgent response, please telephone.
Heybridge Lockkeeper
Paul Hindley
(based at Heybridge Basin)
07712 079764
paul.hindley@essexwaterways.com
The Navigation Office
Sarah Phillips / Mandy Lawrence
(based at Paper Mill Lock)
01245 226245
sarah.phillips@essexwaterways.com
Emergency contact number: 07966 375351
The safety of waterway users, staff, volunteers and every visitor to the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation is of the greatest concern to us. If you spot something that needs attention, then please let us know – get in touch using the contact details above.