Hoping to head up to River Blackwater for a couple of days. Any reviews on best marinas, facilities etc., best pubs/ restaurants? Vernon
River Blackwater
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Hi Vernon,
There are good marinas at Tolesbury and Bradwell. Brightlingsea is not a marina but good pontoons and a water taxi. Maldon looks charming but very difficult to leave a boat there in my experience. Pyefleet is great for a quiet anchorage.
I’d go to Brightlingsea first off.
Enjoy it!
Nick
Kings Head in Tollesbury
Excellent salty establishment
We regularly use Bradwell as it is a well run marina with a bar/restaurant. Full facilities Sometims BBQ outside and guest singers/disco at the week ends. Good circular walk up around the old nuclear power station viewing an ancient church ( and 2 pubs) on the way.
My favourite is Heybridge basin. This is a lock onto a freshwater canal further up the Bklackwater. Excellent walk along the canal to the huge Tesco about 3 mils away. One pub alongside the lock another 100 yards. Varied meal options and 2 local pubs. You need to ring to check availabilty of a mooring beforehand as it is a popular place .
Brightlingsea is a little further up the coast and is different in that you have to pay to get ashore with a water taxi, prompt and efficient. Good restaurants and shops in the town as well as a chandlers almost where you land from the taxi. New local YC toilet/shower facilities.
There’s already been a lot of good suggestions. Virtually all the Blackwater is tidally constrained, so there may be some waiting around for water. Bradwell, whilst you will remain afloat in the marina, around an hour either side of low water there isn’t enough water to get in or out. Similarly Tollesbury is over a sill, so a much smaller window for access. Heybridge lock only opens for a short while around HW, so you are there for about 24hrs minimum. The other marina not mentioned is The Blackwater Marina at Maylandsea. The whole marina dries and many berths are a little uneven, but a friendly marina with good facilities. A copy of the East Coast Pilot is an essential companion with lots of useful phone numbers and pilotage.