The Basin

For thirteen and three quarter miles, the rivers Chelmer and Blackwater meander their way to the sea from Springfield Basin at Chelmsford to the Basin at Heybridge with its sea lock. These rivers were tamed in 1797 and the resulting Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation was opened against a backdrop of objection. The owners of the port of Maldon feared thy would suffer major losses if vessels were able to travel all the way to Chelmsford.

Now the basin is home only to pleasure craft and the two pubs now serve thirsty tourists instead of the Basin workers and visiting sailors.