Essex Waterways
Try the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Walk
Things To Do
Sit back and enjoy our fantastic waterway. Our private cruises are great for groups, families and parties for up to 43 guests. All our bookings include a qualified skipper and friendly crew, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the cruise.
Charter trips can be arranged for any day of the week with timings to suit you.
An all-day trip would allow for a cruise from the vessel’s base at Paper Mill Lock to see the impressive Sea Lock at Heybridge Basin; or the regenerated basin at Springfield and back to base. The minimum period is 2 hours.
Victoria and Blackwater Dawn are wheelchair and push-chair friendly.
Food & Drink
When you book your celebration or a group outing on board our larger boat, Victoria, we can provide food and drinks on board as well as a licensed bar serving hot and cold drinks.
Victoria is perfect for wedding receptions, celebrations and group outings. The boat can accommodate up to 36 guests seated for food or 43 standing and includes a qualified skipper and crew. Our licensed bar also serves hot and cold drinks. Trips depart from Paper Mill Lock.
Albert is a 13.7m narrowboat, ideal for families and groups of up to 12 people and includes a trained skipper (with crew if necessary) and normally operates from Paper Mill Lock from Good Friday until the end of October. Trips do not run in poor weather or on Mondays in October.
Blackwater Dawn is a widebeam trip boat for up to 12 people with an open forward seating area. Normally operating daily ticket trips from Daisy Meadow Car Park at Heybridge Basin, from Good Friday until the end of October. Trips do not run in poor weather or on Mondays in October. The boat is also available for charter bookings and early evening hire.
Paper Mill Lock
Heybridge Basin
Contact us to find out more about our cruises and to book your celebration or outing on one of our boats.
Call 01245 226 245 or email [email protected].
Victoria (36 seated, 43 standing) £360 for two hours, then £165 for each extra hour.
Albert and Blackwater Dawn (up to 12 people) £195 for two hours, then £65 for each extra hour.
Bookings will be confirmed upon receipt of the deposit (usually 50% of the cost). Balance and food orders will be required 21 days before your trip.
The above prices are effective from 1st January 2024.
When you book your celebration or a group outing on board our larger boat, Victoria, we can provide food and drinks on board as well as a licensed bar. For example, we offer…
CREAM TEA Two hand-baked scones (one fruit & one plain) with jam and clotted cream served with tea or coffee.
AFTERNOON TEA A selection of sandwiches (Ham Salad, Cheese & Coleslaw, Egg Mayonnaise & Tomato and Tuna & Sweetcorn) with a selection of cakes, scone, jam & clotted cream served with tea or coffee.
PLOUGHMAN’S Ham & cheese with salad, pickles and coleslaw served with crusty bread served with tea and coffee.
Please let us know if there are any special dietary requirements. All prices on application to the booking office.
You can book our boats for your wedding reception. Victoria is the perfect transport from Ulting Church. We would be pleased to discuss your requirements.
Victoria and Blackwater Dawn are fully equipped to accommodate wheelchair users, but we would be grateful to have as much notice as possible as to the number of wheelchairs likely so that we can prepare appropriate seating arrangements for you to enjoy your trip.
Victoria and Albert do not cruise when the Navigation is in flood, as the boats cannot then pass under bridges. Should this occur Victoria or Albert may be used as a static venue at Paper Mill Lock at 50% of the trip cost. Alternatively a full refund will be offered. It is more unusual for the Navigation to be in flood at Heybridge Basin, but should this occur, the same terms apply for Blackwater Dawn.
Heybridge Basin & Paper Mill Lock
Canoeing & Paddleboarding
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Camping
Hoe Mill Lock
Angling
Walk
