There is a reason world class food producers such as Maldon Salt, Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Jam and Maldon Oysters flourish in the Maldon District. Some attribute it to our local micro-climate and some to the passion of local farmers and food producers. Whatever the reason the Maldon District is very proud of its gastro menu. From independent restaurants on every high street and tea rooms looking over the beautiful coastline, to celebrated vineyards and micro-breweries, there is plenty to satisfy any appetite.
PLACES TO EAT
Both Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch have numerous establishments along their high streets for you to take a break and have a bite to eat. Heading outside of our historic maritime towns, you can find tea rooms and cafés throughout the district in numerous villages.
The Cake Trail features a range of venues around the Maldon District which all offer coffee and fresh, homemade cakes, as well as cream teas and afternoon teas. Many are licensed so you could even enjoy a glass of bubbly or two with your food. While some are situated in our maritime towns, others are ideally placed for exploring our gorgeous coastline and countryside. Enjoy cake at the water's edge, a cake with history and heritage, or take a walk along the Saltmarsh Coast before finishing up your day with homemade cake and a fresh cuppa.
WORLD CLASS FOOD PRODUCERS
Salt has been produced in the Maldon District for thousands of years as seen by the ancient red hills along its coastline. These hills are made up of coarse pottery vessels and soil reddened by the heat of fires that were used to evaporate seawater to produce salt. The Maldon Salt Company dates back to 1882 and their salt work is located in an area known for its red hills.
The site is also on one of the original Essex salt making sites from Saxon times. Maldon Salt utilises the Maldon District's environmental conditions which are ideal for saltmaking. With low rainfall, the concentration of salt in the rivers is much higher making the Blackwater Estuary one of the saltiest in the country. Sea salt is harvested in the traditional way, where seawater is filtered and boiled to remove impurities, and then heated until the salt crystallises.
There is a wide selection of Wilkin & Sons Tiptree products at the Maldon Tourist Information Centre. You can choose from various jams, chutneys, sauces, marmalades, jellies, honeys, spreads and gift boxes. We also stock their new natural wax candles and miniature candles which have a range of scents from Little Scarlet Strawberry, Lemon Curd, Apple and more.
The Blackwater Estuary has been prized for its oysters for over a thousand years and oyster shells can be found at all archaeological sites throughout the area. Though the oyster industry has diminished over the centuries, the Maldon Oyster Company has one of the last remaining commercial beds in the estuary.
They are one of the largest producers of Pacific Oysters in the UK and now have a large area of the Blackwater Estuary under their management. Formed nearly sixty years ago in 1960, the Maldon Oyster Company has re-established a native oyster fishery and takes pride in producing an oyster of premium quality with a distinctive flavour.
Their oysters are sold to numerous top hotels and restaurants in London, as well as wholesale markets and exports to Europe and the Far East.
ENJOY A DRINK
Explore our region's vineyards, breweries and distilleries with the Grape and Grain Trail. Enjoy a tour or a talk, where you can learn about how the products are made, and you can also give them a try yourself during a tasting session.
