Maldon

Understand

The town lies at the eastern end of the River Blackwater Estuary and on the River Chelmer. It's best known for its sea salt. Dating back to 913 (when the town was identified in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle), the area was settled by East Saxons in the 5th century (the area to the south of the town is still known as the Dengie Peninsula names after the Dæningas).

Maldon is the name of both the town and the surrounding district.

The town has long been a base for the famous Thames Barges, many based at Hythe Quay on the northern edge of the town at the confluence of the Rivers Chelmer and Blackwater. These magnificent vessels no longer serve their historic goods transport purpose, but surviving and restored vessels are available for charter and recreational trips.

Getting there

By road The main route into Maldon is the A414 from Chelmsford and the A12 (from London, Colchester and Ipswich). Other routes into Maldon include:

B1010 from Burnham-on-Crouch (via B1018) B1018 from Braintree, Witham and Southminster B1022 from Colchester via Tiptree B1026 from Colchester B1418 from South Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre (via A414)

By train Maldon does not have a railway station. Intercity and stopping services call at Chelmsford from London Liverpool Street, London Stratford, Shenfield, Marks Tey, Clacton-on-Sea, Harwich, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Norwich. Use bus routes 31, 73, 331, 332 and 333 between Chelmsford city centre and Maldon. Stopping services also call at Witham from London Liverpool Street, London Stratford, Shenfield, Marks Tey, Clacton-on-Sea, Harwich and Ipswich. Use bus route 90 between Witham and Maldon. Branch line trains run to Burnham-on-Crouch and Southminster from Wickford and South Woodham Ferrers. Use bus routes 31, 331 and 332 between these stations and Maldon.

By bus First Group run a number of services to/from the town, including

31B/31C/31X Chelmsford to Burnham via Maldon 33 Chelmsford to Southminster via Maldon. 73 Chelmsford to Maldon 75 Essex University, Colchester to Maldon

By bicycle National Cycle Route 1 running from Shetland Islands to Dover runs through the town passing through Colchester to the NE and Chelmsford to the west. National Cycle Route 16 Bishop's Stortford to Southend-on-Sea connects with National Cycle Route 1 4½ miles N of the town.

Getting around

The town is small enough to see on foot.

See

1 All Saints Church, High Street, CM9 4QE, ☏ +44 1621 858090. Maldon's parish church is of interest to Americans owing to the presence of a memorial window to Lawrence Washington, who is buried here and was an ancestor of George Washington. Among other things, it depicts the American eagle, the British lion, the Mayflower, the Statue of Liberty and the Declaration of Independence.

Do

1 Five Lakes Hotel, Golf Club, Colchester Rd, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8HX, ☏ +44 1621 862326, [email protected].

Walks 2 Chelmer & Blackwater Navgation Walk (16 mile walk Maldon to Chelmsford). (updated May 2017) 3 Blackwater Rail Trail Walk (6 mile Maldon to Witham walk). (updated May 2017)

Events

Maldon Mud Race, Promenade Park, Maldon, [email protected]. A "tradition" started in 1973 with a challenge to a guest in a local pub, the event has grown in size and reputation and is now held annually each spring. If competing be prepared to get dirty, but many attend just to watch the event. A 500 m race in thick mud across the River Blackwater, hundreds competing (including many in fancy dress) with thousands spectating all with a focus of raising money for charity. (updated May 2017)

Thames Barge Trips 4 Topsail Charters, The Hythe, Maldon, CM9 5HN, ☏ +44 1621 857567, [email protected]. (updated May 2017) 5 Thames Sailing Barge Trust, The Hythe, Maldon, ☏ +44 7840 862685 (mobile), [email protected]. (updated May 2017) 6 SB Kitty, The Hythe, Maldon CM9 5HN, ☏ +44 1892 548136. (updated May 2017) 7 S B Thalatta (Thames Barge), The Hythe, Maldo CM9 5HNn, [email protected]. (updated May 2017)

Buy

Maldon Salt Company, Ltd., Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon CM9 6UZ, ☏ +44 1621 853315, [email protected]. This is a famous sea salt manufacturer, in business under this name since 1882. Many high-end chefs like and use their salt, which is also more widely distributed. Salt-making is a traditional occupation in the region, with a history going back 2,000 years. It's not clear from the website whether it is possible to visit the factory, but you could try contacting them. 1 Asda (Supermarket), Bentalls Complex, Colchester Rd, Heybridge, CM9 4GD, ☏ +44 1621 722400. M-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 10AM-4PM. ATMs (updated May 2017) 2 Tesco Extra (Superstore/Supermarket), Fulbridge, Maldon CM9 4LE, ☏ +44 345 677 9459. M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol (different hours). ATMs. Pharmacy (different hours) (updated May 2017)

Eat

1 The Pig (formerly the Secret Garden) (Restaurant), 38 High St, Maldon CM9 5PN, ☏ +44 1621 850396, [email protected]. W Th noon-2:30PM & 6-9PM, F noon-2:30PM, & 6-9:30PM, Su noon-3PM. (updated May 2017) 2 Prezzo (Italian Restaurant & Take-away), 69 High St Maldon CM9 5EP, ☏ +44 1621 842544. Daily noon-11:20PM. (updated May 2017) 3 Intimo-Fresco (Italian Restaurant), The Gables, 116 High St, Maldon CM9 5ET, ☏ +44 1621 843197. Tu-F noon-3PM & 5-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8PM. (updated May 2017) 4 Maldon Pie 'N' Mash (Restaurant & Take-away), 136 High St, Maldon CM9 5BX, ☏ +44 1621 842859, [email protected]. M-F 11AM-4:30PM, Sa 11AM-5PM, Bank Holidays 11AM-4:30PM. (updated May 2017) 5 Balti Bhujon (Indian Restaurant & Take-away), 24 Mill Rd, Maldon CM9 5HZ, ☏ +44 1621 852564. (updated May 2017)

Drink & nightlife

1 The Jolly Sailor (Pub & Food), Basin Rd, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RS, ☏ +44 1621 854210, [email protected]. M-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 9AM-1AM, Su 9AM-midnight. (updated May 2017) 2 The Old Ship (Pub & Food), Lockhill, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RX, ☏ +44 1621 854150. Su-Th 9AM-midnight, F Sa 9AM-1AM. (updated May 2017) 3 The Sunny Sailor (Pub), 1 Fullbridge, Maldon CM9 4LE, ☏ +44 1621 858704, [email protected]. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM; food: daily noon-2:30PM. (updated May 2017) 4 The Oak House (Bar & Café), 35 High Street, Maldon CM9 5PF, ☏ +44 1621 859965. M-Th 8:30AM-11PM, F 8:30AM-late, Sa 9AM-late, Su 9AM-10PM. (updated May 2017) New Hall Vineyards, established 1969, are on Chelmsford Rd in Purleigh; tours available.

Sleep

1 The Limes (Guesthouse), 21 Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4PZ, ☏ +44 1621 850350. (updated May 2017) 2 Hanson House (B&B), 58 Holloway Rd, Heybridge CM9 4SQ, ☏ +44 1621 857788, [email protected]. Free Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking Single occupancy from £55; Double occupancy from £77. (updated May 2017) 3 The White Horse Inn (Hotel), 26 High St, Maldon CM9 5PJ, ☏ +44 1621 840308. (updated May 2017) 4 32 The Hythe (B&B), 32 The Hythe Maldon CM9 5HN, ☏ +44 1621 859435, [email protected]. Wi-Fi. Bike storage. No children under 14. Cash or cheque only. (updated May 2017)

Go next

Chelmsford - 10 miles W. Col