Blackwater Estuary

Approx 20 kilometres long ( Maldon to Mersea Island) and covering almost 5500 hectares.

The Blackwater Estuary consists of open water, mudflats and saltmarsh and is one of the most important habitats for wildlife in the UK. It is also of international importance for its plants and archaeology and the river provides a rich harvest of fish and shellfish.

A wide range of activities take place on and around the estuary, including recreation, tourism, fishing, agriculture and commercial shipping.

The sea wall which protects the land from the sea is topped by a footpath along most of its length,  providing endless opportunities for walking and watching wildlife.

The Blackwater Project has played an important part in the management and promotion of the Estuary for a number of years.

(photographs by Laura Johnson & Daniel Jones)

A range of walk leaflets and information about watersports facilities, accommodation, places of interest etc are available from Maldon Tourist Information Centre, Coach Lane, Maldon. Telephone 01621 856503 or email tic@maldon.gov.uk.