Take a stroll around our historic maritime towns and traditional marshland villages, full of rich heritage, quaint shops and hidden gems. Delve into thousand of years of history in our museums and heritage centres. Explore the charm and character of our two towns, Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch. Their high streets are full of independent and eclectic shops, enough to fill many days of retail therapy. Enjoy food and drink at our restaurants and cafés, pubs and bars or take a trip to one of our award-winning vineyards or breweries.
EXPLORE OUR TIMELESS HERITAGE
Learn more about the Maldon District at our excellent museums and heritage centres. Discover all kinds of history, from military to social and domestic, modern history to Anglo-Saxon and medieval. You can also attend one of the many talks or courses that are held regularly across the Maldon District if you would like to explore a topic in more depth.

Walking from the Hythe Quay, continue through Promenade Park along the sea wall to reach the causeway of Northey Island. The causeway was the site of the Battle of Maldon 991, and is the oldest recorded battlefield site in England.
The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation is the shallowest navigation in the country and was completed in 1797. Commercial barge traffic ceased in 1972, and the canal is now used for leisure, including fishing, pleasure boats, canoeing, paddle boarding, and narrowboats.
You can experience an hour cruise on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation aboard 'the Elver' with Basin Pleasure Boats. Gently winding along the canal at a leisurely four knots gives you ample time to take in the scenery and wildlife. You can also hire rowing boats from Basin Pleasure Boats as well.
Burnham-on-Crouch's quay, with its historic pubs and red-roofed houses, also has cafés, houseboats, and the Burnham-on-Crouch & District Museum. Walking along the quay, you will pass its four yacht and sailing clubs, as well as the RNLI lifeboat station and Riverside Park.
From the quay, you can take a short trip over on the Burnham Ferry to Essex Marina, where you can then walk to RSPB's Wallasea Island, which is the largest project of its type in Europe. You can also go on seal & wildlife trips from the quay with Charter Discovery.
DISCOVER OUR HISTORY
The Maldon District is home to traditional marshland villages and historic maritime towns. Our diverse heritage extends thousands of years and numerous periods of English history. Discover ancient forests, Anglo-Saxon fishing weirs, medieval churches, 15th & 16th century houses, Victorian engines, disused railway lines and 20th century industry.
- Oldest recorded battlefield site in England
- Europe's largest surviving WWI aerodrome
- One of the oldest largely intact English churches
- Largest collection of Thames Sailing Barges
- Shallowest navigation in the country
- Only full time historic cinema in Essex
The church of St. Mary in Mundon is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches and it is now conserved as a Grade 1 listed medieval church.
This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.
A traditionally managed ancient woodland offering guided walks suitable for all ages. Featuring flora/fauna, charcoal burning, environmental/conservation topics.
Creeksea Place is a 16th century fairytale Tudor Mansion set in beautiful gardens. The house with its captivating façade and tranquil surroundings is steeped in history.
GUIDED TOURS & TALKS

The Moot Hall is a building with a fascinating history and has been used as a manor house, court room, council chamber, and a prison. You can explore the Moot Hall on a tour, and its rooftop offers panoramic views of Maldon & beyond.
Hazeleigh Wood is an ancient woodland which shows benefits of traditional management techniques, e.g. coppicing, charcoal, burning etc. Group tours are available by prior arrangement.
Creeksea Place is a 16th century Tudor manor with extensive grounds with lakes, an orchard and walled garden. You can visit by prior arrangement, or attend one of their preview evenings, open days or High Tea afternoons.
INDEPENDENT RETAIL
Experience our gastro menu by visiting our independent restaurants, cafés and tea rooms. You can also visit local markets in the district for excellent fresh produce, and a variety of other items. The Burnham-on-Crouch Farmer's market is certainly a highlight of the month, where a range of producers bring their fresh produce directly to the public. Check out our local page for more information about market days.
The Maldon District is proud to host world class food producers, such as Maldon Sea Salt, Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Jam and Maldon Oysters. Many of our local producers supply the independent restaurants, cafés and tea rooms in our area. Whether you are just having a coffee or treating yourself to afternoon tea, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Many of the venues are family run, and are situated in stunning locations with scenic views of the estuaries and beyond.
From Constable Country to the Crouch Valley, the Grape and Grain Trail will take you to award-winning vineyards, breweries and distilleries. Enjoy a tour or a talk at one of our venues, and learn about how their products are made. You can also give them a try yourself during a tasting session. Our local producers each offer something unique in taste and experience, and their numbers are growing year on year, so there’s always something new to try.
