Essex Waterways
Try the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Walk
Things To Do
Step on board one of our trip boats and enjoy a cruise along the glorious Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation in Essex with Chelmer Cruises. The Navigation offers nearly 14 miles of waterway to explore. We have a base at Paper Mill Lock approximately midway along the Navigation allowing trips in either direction, and another at Heybridge Basin.
Much of our wonderful waterway runs through tranquil Essex countryside, and is the perfect place for an afternoon or evening cruise. Charter a boat for your outing or celebration or turn up and buy a ticket for your leisurely cruise.
Charter trips can be arranged for any day of the week with timings to suit hirers. The minimum period is 2 hours. We can provide food and drinks on board, if booked in advance.
Ticket boat trips run from two locations along the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. Trips depart every hour, on the hour, from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Trips do not run in poor weather conditions, unless pre-booked.
Hop on a boat at Paper Mill Lock most days between Good Friday and the end of October. Trips usually depart from just below the lock, and head downstream towards Rushes Lock, turn and return to Paper Mill – but sometimes boat can head upstream and turn to return before Baddow Mill Lock.
Join Blackwater Dawn, from the kiosk by Daisy Meadow car park at Heybridge Basin, and head towards Beeleigh, then turn and return to the kiosk. Trips recommenced on 1st May 2026 and run to the end of October, weather permitting.
You can book tickets for Albert and Blackwater Dawn online.
We do not provide parking facilities at either location.
