Essex Waterways Ltd.

Essex Waterways Ltd. Essex Waterways Ltd. maintains and operates the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. It has remained open and independently run throughout its history.

maintains and operates the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation which runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the river Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. Never having been nationalised, it continued to carry commercial freight till 1972, and an increasing number of leisure users since that time. It was designed by the renowned canal engineer John Rennie and most of his original structures are intact, together with the entire length of the original waterway. Today, it is managed by Essex Waterways Ltd (a subsidiary of The Inland Waterways Association), and is a local treasure well worth defending for present and future generations to enjoy.

25/09/2026

Still time to get out on the water!

Our Albert and Blackwater Dawn Trips are still available until the end of October! 🍂

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a trip out on the beautiful Blackwater and Chelmer Navigation.

📅 Book now: bookeo.com/canaltrip
📞 For further information: 01245 226245

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

It’s been a month or two since our last lengthsmen update so here’s what the team have been up to recently!Since our las...
19/09/2026

It’s been a month or two since our last lengthsmen update so here’s what the team have been up to recently!

Since our last update things have been quieter along the navigation with the exception of some walkers, fishermen and paddleboarders. We have removed several fallen trees from the navigation along with several trees that were beginning to impose on the navigation. We have also removed ALOT of pennywort from the navigation using our conver weedboats and volunteers in canoes over the last few weeks. We’ve also began to prepare for a double gate replacement at Stonhams lock in the coming weeks now that it’s becoming quieter along the river. We’ve been trying to keep on top of towpath maintenance with our weekly volunteers so that they are nice and clear for all to use including cutting a very overgrown section of towpath at Springfield basin.

That’s it for now however with a busy few weeks hopefully there will be some exciting updates to share soon!

A huge thank you to our second group of corporate volunteers from Fords and to the team from M&G, who kindly joined our ...
19/09/2026

A huge thank you to our second group of corporate volunteers from Fords and to the team from M&G, who kindly joined our small team of lengthsmen to help maintain the towpath and clear fallen trees at Paper Mill Lock and Baddow Lock.

Your hard work, enthusiasm and support are greatly appreciated. It makes a real difference in helping us keep the towpath safe, tidy and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you once again for giving your time and lending a hand! 🌳👏

Would you like to get involved and volunteer with us? Whether you’d like to volunteer on your own or as part of a corporate group, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please contact Mandy at [email protected]

We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at Fords for volunteering their time to support us at Paper Mill Lock ...
11/09/2026

We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at Fords for volunteering their time to support us at Paper Mill Lock last week.

The team carried out valuable river maintenance, including vegetation clearance, as well as safely clearing a fallen tree at Paper Mill Lock.

Their hard work has made a real difference to the river and surrounding area, and we’re extremely grateful for their time and support. Thank you to everyone at Fords for all your help! 🌿👏

If you would like to bring a corporate team to volunteer with us please contact Mandy at [email protected]

27/08/2026

Morning everyone, given the rain and thunderstorm risk, in the interest of everyone's safety there will be no kakak/canoe hire from paper mill this morning. We'll review the situation at lunchtime
Thank you

Further to this evenings National Government alert in relation to the very high risk of wild fires. Visitors are remind...
14/08/2026

Further to this evenings National Government alert in relation to the very high risk of wild fires. Visitors are reminded not to undertake any activities that could that start a fire, including the use of bbqs, which are prohibited on the waterways and towpaths.

Please help look after our wildlife and environment, for the benefit of all. Thank you for co-operation.

UPDATE: The road has reopened. Please refrain from parking on the bridge (even though there are currently no yellow ...
08/08/2026

UPDATE: The road has reopened. Please refrain from parking on the bridge (even though there are currently no yellow lines),

Morning everyone, please be aware that the road bridge by Paper Mill Lock is currently closed, however we are open as usual.

If coming for a boat trip on Albert please come via Danbury and park in the Willow Sett Car Park.

01/08/2026

'They are causing her all kinds of aggravation. It can become like a frat party'

FOR SALE - STELLA MARISThis is located at Heybridge Basin on the towpath and is being sold as seen for £3950. for furth...
30/07/2026

FOR SALE - STELLA MARIS

This is located at Heybridge Basin on the towpath and is being sold as seen for £3950.

for further information please email [email protected]

On some recent posts regarding anti social behaviour there seemed to be some confusion over what we do and where the mon...
23/07/2026

On some recent posts regarding anti social behaviour there seemed to be some confusion over what we do and where the money we make goes. Here are some pictures of what our team of 4 lengthsmen have been up to over the last two weeks to hopefully clear that up.

The majority of towpaths have been cut back with all of the towpaths cut on the top end of the navigation this is to make sure that the towpaths are accessible for all to enjoy!

Rushes lock had two failed top paddles and the team sprung into action and had them both repaired in one morning.

Our weedboats have travelled the full length of the navigation cutting and removing underwater weeds to allow for easy navigation.

The team have also widened a small concrete bridge below rushes lock to improve accessibility and allow us to improve our machine access to that part of the navigation.

We really are trying to keep the navigation in the best condition we can and react to problems when they arise as swiftly as possible. We appreciate any and all support whether that be volunteering or even making sure you have a valid paddle board/kayak license. We wouldn’t be able to carry out the work we do without the support of the people that come and enjoy the navigation!

Address

Essex Waterways
Chelmsford
CM34BS

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441245226245

Website

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