Maldon
Maldon is a town in Essex.
Understand
[edit]The town lies at the eastern end of the River Blackwater Estuary and on the River Chelmer. It's best known for its sea salt. Dating back to 913 (when the town was identified in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle), the area was settled by East Saxons in the 5th century (the area to the south of the town is still known as the Dengie Peninsula names after the Dæningas).
Maldon is the name of both the town and the surrounding district.
The town has long been a base for the famous Thames Barges, many based at Hythe Quay on the northern edge of the town at the confluence of the Rivers Chelmer and Blackwater. These magnificent vessels no longer serve their historic goods transport purpose, but surviving and restored vessels are available for charter and recreational trips.
Get in
[edit]By road
[edit]The main road into Maldon is the A414.
By train
[edit]Maldon train station fell victim to the Beeching Report and closed in 1964. However, these nearby stations all have connections to London Liverpool St:
- 1 Chelmsford Train Station, Duke St, Chelmsford CM1 1HT (10 miles from the town). Station operated by and rail services run by Greater Anglia.
- 2 Witham Train Station, Albert Rd, Witham, CM8 2BS (7½ miles from the town). Station operated by and rail services run by Greater Anglia
- 3 Colchester Train Station, Station Approach Rd, Colchester, CO1 1XD (22 miles from town).
You can get a bus to Maldon directly from Chelmsford train station.
By bus
[edit]First Group run a number of services to/from the town, including
- 31B/31C/31X Chelmsford to Burnham via Maldon
- 33 Chelmsford to Southminster via Maldon.
- 73 Chelmsford to Maldon
- 75 Essex University, Colchester to Maldon
By bicycle
[edit]- National Cycle Route 1 running from Shetland Islands to Dover runs through the town passing through Colchester to the NE and Chelmsford to the west.
- National Cycle Route 16 Bishop's Stortford to Southend-on-Sea connects with National Cycle Route 1 4½ miles N of the town.
Get around
[edit]
The town is small enough to see on foot.
See
[edit]
- 1 All Saints Church, High Street, CM9 4QE, ☏ +44 1621 858090. Maldon's parish church is of interest to Americans owing to the presence of a memorial window to Lawrence Washington, who is buried here and was an ancestor of George Washington. Among other things, it depicts the American eagle, the British lion, the Mayflower, the Statue of Liberty and the Declaration of Independence.
Do
[edit]- 1 Five Lakes Hotel, Golf Club, Colchester Rd, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8HX, ☏ +44 1621 862326, enquiries@cpcolchester.co.uk.
Walks
[edit]- 2 (16 mile walk Maldon to Chelmsford).
- 3 Blackwater Rail Trail Walk (6 mile Maldon to Witham walk).
Events
[edit].jpg)
- Maldon Mud Race, Promenade Park, Maldon, info@maldonmudrace.com. A "tradition" started in 1973 with a challenge to a guest in a local pub, the event has grown in size and reputation and is now held annually each spring. If competing be prepared to get dirty, but many attend just to watch the event. A 500 m race in thick mud across the River Blackwater, hundreds competing (including many in fancy dress) with thousands spectating all with a focus of raising money for charity.
Thames Barge Trips
[edit]- 4 Topsail Charters, The Hythe, Maldon, CM9 5HN, ☏ +44 1621 857567, info@top-sail.co.uk.
- 5 Thames Sailing Barge Trust, The Hythe, Maldon, ☏ +44 7840 862685 (mobile), crewing@bargetrust.org.
- 6 SB Kitty, The Hythe, Maldon CM9 5HN, ☏ +44 1892 548136.
- 7 S B Thalatta (Thames Barge), The Hythe, Maldo CM9 5HNn, info@thalatta.org.uk.
Buy
[edit]- Maldon Salt Company, Ltd., Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon CM9 6UZ, ☏ +44 1621 853315, info@maldonsalt.co.uk. This is a famous sea salt manufacturer, in business under this name since 1882. Many high-end chefs like and use their salt, which is also more widely distributed. Salt-making is a traditional occupation in the region, with a history going back 2,000 years. It's not clear from the website whether it is possible to visit the factory, but you could try contacting them.
- 1 Asda (Supermarket), Bentalls Complex, Colchester Rd, Heybridge, CM9 4GD, ☏ +44 1621 722400. M-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 10AM-4PM. ATMs
- 2 Tesco Extra (Superstore/Supermarket), Fulbridge, Maldon CM9 4LE, ☏ +44 345 677 9459. M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol (different hours). ATMs. Pharmacy (different hours)
Eat
[edit]
- 1 The Pig (formerly the Secret Garden) (Restaurant), 38 High St, Maldon CM9 5PN, ☏ +44 1621 850396, debbie.dale.lenny@aol.co.uk. W Th noon-2:30PM & 6-9PM, F noon-2:30PM, & 6-9:30PM, Su noon-3PM.
- 2 Prezzo (Italian Restaurant & Take-away), 69 High St Maldon CM9 5EP, ☏ +44 1621 842544. Daily noon-11:20PM.
- 3 Intimo-Fresco (Italian Restaurant), The Gables, 116 High St, Maldon CM9 5ET, ☏ +44 1621 843197. Tu-F noon-3PM & 5-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8PM.
- 4 Maldon Pie 'N' Mash (Restaurant & Take-away), 136 High St, Maldon CM9 5BX, ☏ +44 1621 842859, info@maldonpieandmash.com. M-F 11AM-4:30PM, Sa 11AM-5PM, Bank Holidays 11AM-4:30PM.
- 5 Balti Bhujon (Indian Restaurant & Take-away), 24 Mill Rd, Maldon CM9 5HZ, ☏ +44 1621 852564.
Drink
[edit]- 1 The Jolly Sailor (Pub & Food), Basin Rd, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RS, ☏ +44 1621 854210, jolly@thejollysailorheybridgebasin.co.uk. M-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 9AM-1AM, Su 9AM-midnight.
- 2 [dead link] The Old Ship (Pub & Food), Lockhill, Heybridge Basin CM9 4RX, ☏ +44 1621 854150. Su-Th 9AM-midnight, F Sa 9AM-1AM.
- 3 The Sunny Sailor (Pub), 1 Fullbridge, Maldon CM9 4LE, ☏ +44 1621 858704, thesunnysailor@gmail.com. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM; food: daily noon-2:30PM.
- 4 The Oak House (Bar & Café), 35 High Street, Maldon CM9 5PF, ☏ +44 1621 859965. M-Th 8:30AM-11PM, F 8:30AM-late, Sa 9AM-late, Su 9AM-10PM.
- New Hall Vineyards, established 1969, are on Chelmsford Rd in Purleigh; tours available.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 The Limes (Guesthouse), 21 Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4PZ, ☏ +44 1621 850350.
- 2 Hanson House (B&B), 58 Holloway Rd, Heybridge CM9 4SQ, ☏ +44 1621 857788, johnhanson2@btconnect.com. Free Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking Single occupancy from £55; Double occupancy from £77.
- 3 The White Horse Inn (Hotel), 26 High St, Maldon CM9 5PJ, ☏ +44 1621 840308.
- 4 32 The Hythe (B&B), 32 The Hythe Maldon CM9 5HN, ☏ +44 1621 859435, gibbsie@live.co.uk. Wi-Fi. Bike storage. No children under 14. Cash or cheque only.
Stay safe
[edit]Maldon is probably one of the safest out of all the towns in Essex. But that doesn't mean there is no crime. General common sense will keep you out of any danger. The north west area of Heybridge should be avoided on foot at night, it is known by locals as a pretty rough area. The park at West Maldon Community Centre on a Friday night is sometimes a favoured hangout for drunk teenagers.
Be aware that some streetlights are turned off between 01:00 and 05:00. Busy areas, including the High Street, remain on all night.
Connect
[edit]Maldon and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Feb 2023, 5G has not reached town.
Go next
[edit]- Chelmsford - 10 miles W.
- Colchester - 20 miles to NE.
- Southend-on-Sea - 20 miles S.
- Bishop's Stortford - 30 miles WNW.