Chelmer & Navigation Canal.

FullCircle

FullCircle

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Nov 2003
Messages
28,223
Visit site
I am thinking about parking up in Heybridge, and taking my hard tender & outboard up the canal to Chelmsford.

has anyone done it, and is there anywhere recommended for a camping night by the canal side?

Are all the locks in good order?

Will I need a license (prob a silly question!)?
 
Last time I was there (a year or two ago, and on foot on the towpath) it was overgrown by some sort of waterlily plant once you got past Heybridge basin. In that state you'd need a machete to get a dinghy through, but it might be ok this year.
 
Jim
I live nearby and will do a recce for you.
The weed is pretty bad at Tescos and I don't think the locks can be self operated, certainly no operators in evidence.
There is a tripper boat [Victoria] operating out of Paper Mill lock, but I dont think it goes through any locks.
Dan
 
[ QUOTE ]
This crowd did it a couple of years back, thier report might have some useful information?

Tuesday night club

[/ QUOTE ]

Brilliant link, thanks. But it was in 2001, so maybe deteriorated since then.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have a chat with the 'new' lock keeper at Heybridge Basin whose name completely escapes me. ......

[/ QUOTE ]
Martin Maudsley.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Jim
I live nearby and will do a recce for you.

Dan

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Dan, whatever you can glean.

I am on board Victoria on Thursday evening as part of(my suggestion) this years works outing.
 
"Didn't they grow watercress somewhere along the canal?"

I've never heard that, but they did grow willows for Warsop Stebbing cricket bats.
A well known brand apparently, if you're a cricket fan.
 
Did it on the TNC trip. Very pretty, which you wouldn't expect, we did it all too quickly but have often thought would like to have a go another time.
When we brought the narrowboat into Heybridge & asked Colin for a licence he said he wasn't used to such requests, so did it based on mooring fees for a week. Seem to remember the locks were quite stiff to work though.

IanC
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am thinking about parking up in Heybridge, and taking my hard tender & outboard up the canal to Chelmsford.

has anyone done it, and is there anywhere recommended for a camping night by the canal side?

Are all the locks in good order?

Will I need a license (prob a silly question!)?

[/ QUOTE ]

We're having a canal picnic this sat up the canal. we all row up the canal and eat and get merry!!! You can go all the way up to chelmsford! 12 miles give Martin a call at the lock he'll tell you all whats needed he's a great guy!!

Best of luck,

Al & Tina
 
Re: Chelmer & Navigation Canal.

I have done it many times by canoe,avon and six oar launch but not for a few years. It is best done earlier in the year due to the weed fouling the prop, I would say its getting a bit marginal for this year. You will need a (day) licence and will need to hire a lock key. With a dingy its quicker to carry or drag the boat around each lock. I camped in a field one year just down river from Paper mill lock, just asked the locale farmer but its easily done in a day.
The best place to launch/recover in Chelmsford is the public car park in Waterhouse lane, there is or was a portage around the weir by the old gas works but be very careful as it is deep with a strong undertow if there is any flow to speak of. The weir that is.

If you get out at Beeleigh lock and follow the foot path to the right for about one mile the watercress is in the field to the right just past the big house.
 
Jim
I had a quick look this morning.
The weed doesn't look too bad yet, about 25% from each bank at the worst spot I saw near golf course, fairly clear at Tesco.
I looked in at Paper Mill office but nothing was open at 9.30am.
Lots of signs saying "Private, Keep out, No Trespassing & Closed" Didn't see any saying "Welcome"
phone nrs for office 01245 225520, mobile 07910558465.
There is a notice saying Stoneham lock closed until further notice.
Fees are powered craft incl dinghies £16 day £22 week, unpowered £4.50 day.
It was very peaceful there this morning and well worth a 1/4 hour skive enroute back to the office.
Mr Toad seems to be the expert and has covered most of the essential points already. A very appropriate name, Wind in The Willows etc.
Dan
 
I was lucky enough to get aboard Victoria for the Annual View of the Line with the directors yesterday, and we went two locks up from Paper Mill, and looked at the lock they have been rebuilding since March this year, expected to reopen later this month, so the canal will be fully navigable by September.

It was a fascinating trip, don't know his name, but the guy in charge of the reconstruction is very knowledgeable about such things, and reported that they'd just replaced what I would call a grown frame in the up-river end of the lock that was original 1792 timber. I asked if they were going to sue under the lifetime guarantee for the failure.......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top