Essex Waterways
Try the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Walk
Things To Do
Whether you already have a boat or are looking to buy, you can get in touch with us about moorings on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. The whole Navigation is suitable for inland boats up to 57 foot long, but bigger sea-faring and sailing boats can only moor in Heybridge Basin. Long term moorings for pleasure boats can be found at Paper Mill Lock, Sandford Mill, Springfield Basin, Hoe Mill Lock and Heybridge Basin. We also have a number of residential moorings at Springfield Basin (Chelmsford) and Heybridge Basin. The residential moorings at Heybridge Basin are all fully occupied and with a waiting list. The lowest headroom on the Navigation (river levels dependent) is Paper Mill road bridge, with a headroom of 1.9 metres (6 foot 3 inches).
Our policy on the provision of moorings on the Navigation is available here.
Long and short term moorings for inland boats can be found along the navigation. Inland cruising on the Navigation is suitable for boats up to 17.40 metres in length, 4.62 metres wide and 0.62 metres draft.
Heybridge Basin, where the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation meets the Blackwater Estuary at Maldon, is a haven for seagoing and inland boats, with long and short term moorings available.
Toilet, Elsan sluice disposal facilities, drinking water and electric hook-up are available are available at all our main mooring sites. Springfield Basin and Heybridge Basin also have shower facilities and pump-outs. There are laundry facilities at Heybridge Basin, and for the residential moorings at Springfield Basin. There is free parking for boaters with moorings at Heybridge Basin, Hoe Mill, Sandford Mill and Paper Mill. Access to all facilities and parking is secured with keys and codes only issued to boat owners. The cost of moorings at each site is dependent upon the facilities available. The cheapest moorings are at Lockside Marina, adjacent to Springfield Lock, which has no facilities on site.
Along the route of the waterway is a church, two tearooms, numerous pubs, 14 locks and lots of wildlife.
Find out more about boating the navigation.
Get in touch to find out more about our moorings, availability, and to apply for a mooring.
Long term mooring rates apply to moorings of a minimum of three months. Boats are charged per metre in length per month, depending on the level of facilities available:
(Long term moorings are at Heybridge Basin, Paper Mill, Springfield, Hoe Mill & Sandford)
(includes Heybridge Basin and trail boats)
These charges apply from 1st January 2024.
Price per night for the first seven nights:
Boats up to 7m (up to 22.9 feet) £20.00 per night Boats 7.1m to10m (23 to 32.8 feet) £24.10 per night Boats 10.1m to13m (32.9 to 42.6 feet) £27.20 per night Boats 13.1m to 15m (42.7 to 49.2 feet) £30.30 per night Boats 15.1m to 20m (49.3 to 65.6 feet) £34.40 per night
Price per night for subsequent nights up to one month:
Boats up to 7m (up to 22.9 feet) £10.00 Boats 7.1m to10m (23 to 32.8 feet) £12.05 Boats 10.1m to13m (32.9 to 42.6 feet) £13.60 Boats 13.1m to 15m (42.7 to 49.2 feet) £15.15 Boats 15.1m to 20m (49.3 to 65.6 feet) £17.20
Stays of longer than one month will be charged long term mooring rates for up to three months. A long term mooring agreement is required for stays over three months.
Minimum charge of £40 for vessels using locks and thus requiring training.
All bookings are subject to Berth availability and terms and conditions consistent with those applied to long term moorings.
Craft that don’t require moorings or use of locks still need to buy a licence.
