Essex Waterways Ltd.

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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.

Stonhams lock gate replacement is going well with the team just adding the finishing touches. The new top and bottom gat...
06/10/2026

Stonhams lock gate replacement is going well with the team just adding the finishing touches. The new top and bottom gates are in and fitted with the foot plates and handrails left to install and then it will be time to pack up and move onto baddow lock next week to investigate some subsidence related issues. The team from The Green Oak Carpentry Company have absolutely smashed it in building and helping to install the new gates at Stonhams and this work wouldn’t have been possible without their expertise. Thank you to our volunteers who have been along and helped to tidy up the site today making it easier for the team to focus on getting the lock finished and the works packed away. We will try and bring you a short video of the new gates in action as soon as they are done!

The lock gate replacement at Stonhams is well and truly underway. The lengthsmen started on Monday and got the top and b...
30/09/2026

The lock gate replacement at Stonhams is well and truly underway. The lengthsmen started on Monday and got the top and bottom of the lock dammed and pumped out and began taking apart the old gates yesterday. They also assisted in harvesting some of the cricket bat willow on Stonhams island at the same time. The new lock gates arrived this morning along with the team at The Green Oak Carpentry Company and the old gates were removed today with the new ones lowered into place this afternoon. Now comes the job of installing new capping boards and mitring the gates so that the lock is watertight!

Thanks to everyone from boaters to dog walkers for their patience whilst this work is underway and we will try to bring you more updates on how the work is progressing as we go on.

If you anyone has anyone questions on the work that is being carried out please feel free to ask away in the comments!

28/09/2026

Boat Trips on Blackwater Dawn

Based at Heybridge Basin, Blackwater Dawn is available for hourly boat trips every day until the end of October.

Trips depart from 11 a.m., with the last trip leaving at 3 p.m.

📅 Every day until the end of October
⏰ Departures: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📞 Book by phone: 01245 226245
💻 Book online: bookeo.com/canaltrip

Come aboard and enjoy a relaxing trip on the water!

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.

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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