Promenade Park, early 1900s
The Marine Lake in the early 1980s
Ornamental lake at Promenade Park

Promenade Park History & Heritage

Promenade Park has been a place of peace for the people of Maldon for well over a century

Maldon’s beautiful Promenade Park opened to great fanfare on 26 June 1895, at a grand opening ceremony attended by 9,000 people dressed in their finest clothes for the occasion.

The idea of having a public park along the banks of the river where people could go for a leisurely stroll or “promenade” by the water had first been suggested in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Maldon Borough Council (as it was then) set up a committee to create a commemorative park, but it wasn’t until 1894 that the Mayor, Alderman Edward A Fitch, finally approved the project, and a mortgage was obtained to purchase 14 acres of ground.

Initial work to create the park included the imposing wrought iron gates set in brick pillars, which still mark the main pedestrian access to the park from Mill Road, although the impressive gas lights that once topped the main pillars are no more. Contemporary images of the opening show fairground swings and amusement tents, a new bandstand, a promenade walk along a thin strip of land between the estuary and the marshes and a bathing shed along the sea wall so people could change to bathe and get down into the water of the muddy creak more easily.

The next phase of the park’s development came in 1905, when the council bought Benjamin Handley’s bath house and the marshy land between the existing park and the Blackwater estuary. By creating a dam, this new area was turned into a 700ft long lake which was opened by Lady Rayleigh, Evelyn Strutt. Two new bathing sheds were opened, one for men and one for women, along with a wooden diving board in the lake, and the bandstand was moved uphill to overlook the new area. Tea rooms and shops selling buckets and spades added to the holiday atmosphere.

In 1915, the Promenade Lodge was built using a bequest from Alderman Thomas Cramphorn, six times Mayor of Chelmsford and a notable philanthropist. Initially home to the park keeper, it is currently the base for Maldon’s Museum in the Park.

In 1925, Promenade Park was extended again, with a second entrance into the new area on Park Drive, and in 1964 the area that is now the lower car park was also added, bring the park to its present size of 58 acres. Entertainment options at the park came and went with their popularity at the time, with residents enjoying roller skating, go-karts, miniature golf, putting green, amusements and trampolines over the years, while tennis courts, cricket and football pitches, the Avenues of Remembrance, the Twinning Sculpture and the maze became permanent fixtures.

More changes took place in the early part of the new century, when in 2006 the marine lake was turned into a nature reserve, and the Splash Park, model boating and crabbing lake, galleon playground and amphitheatre transformed the park yet again. This was also the year that the magnificent statue of Saxon leader Byrhtnoth by John Doubleday was unveiled at the very end of the spit of land that projects into the estuary. More public art followed in 2012, with a mosaic by Susan Mason commemorating the visit of the Olympic torch to the town.

“The Prom” as it is affectionately known within the town, continues to evolve – but at its heart it has the same purpose as it did back in 1895, to provide a beautiful, peaceful and safe place for the people of Maldon and visitors to enjoy fresh air and nature.

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The Museum in the Park

The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this compact museum. Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, the exhibits are wide ranging. The replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which accommodated 7 men, is one of the more unusual items featured in the collection. Charting the social history of the town over the last two hundred years, displays include old Maldon shop fronts, a Victorian parlour and the history of the railways. Each year a new display is launched relating to a topical subject or special anniversary.
Steam Tug Brent

Brent has been a much loved local landmark for over 40 years. It is the last surviving steam tug of the Port of London Authority’s fleet. Full restoration is planned for this unique vessel.
Statue of Byrhtnoth

One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension, which stretches out into the water (or the mud) and leads to a seating area at the end. There you can also see at close hand the statue of famous Saxon leader Byrhtnoth (sometimes written as Brythnoth, Brithnoth, Britnoth or Byrthnoth) who fought back against a Viking invasion. Ultimately he lost, but his bravery in battle was commemorated in the epic Old English poem The Battle of Maldon. The battle was fought in 991AD, and following the thousand-year anniversary, The Maldon Culture Company raised around £100,0000 to commission a lasting memorial to the district's hero, and artist John Doubleday was commissioned to create a statue of the great warrior.
World War One Avenue of Remembrance

The World War One Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park begins by the coach park and loops around the field to the main vehicle entrance from Park Drive. The Avenue originally consisted of 180 numbered trees and was dedicated on 27 November 1935 by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
World War Two Avenue of Remembrance

The World War Two Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park, beginning close to the boating lake, consists of 86 Horse Chestnut trees that were planted in 1987 to commemorate local people who died serving their country during World War Two.
Maldon and Cuijk Twinning Link Sculpture

The Twinning Link sculpture was placed in Promenade Park in 1991 to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the twinning of Maldon with Cuijk in The Netherlands. In the shape of giant intertwined links, the 1.5m high cast iron sculpture was designed by Dutch artist Berry Hermans and made by Great Totham company Tom Polden Engineering.

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The Best Bar None

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
07900 506785

Thebestbarinessex@gmail.com

Maldon

Enjoy a drink and pizza at the pop-up bar in Maldon's Promenade Park. The Best Bar None mobile bar can be found on the top field, serving local beers, ales and gins from Mighty Oak Brewery and ciders from The Big Bear Cider Mill, made from Essex…
Naughty But Nice

Address

Kiosk 5 Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

Enjoy a portion of traditional English fish and chips at Promenade Park.
Maldon Promenade Park Beach Huts

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

directors@jandcpartypets.com

Maldon

The beach huts are close to the popular Splash Park and Valley Play Area as well as being a short walk to the town of Maldon.
Queens Head Inn

Address

The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 854112

contact@thequeensheadmaldon.co.uk

Maldon

This fantastic pub, with its enviable and superb river location, is run by Charlie & Vivian Little.
Picnic in the Park

Address

Kiosk 6, Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

Picnic in the Park offers a selection of hot and cold food and snacks to take away.
Promenade Park Public Toilets (Lakeside)

Address

Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 854477

Maldon

Public toilets situated at Promenade Park in Maldon.
The Viking Saga Boat Trips

Address

Landbreach Ltd, Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HT

Telephone
07766480793

landbreach@outlook.com

Maldon

From May 2023. This traditional pleasure boat was built locally in 1947 and, following a complete restoration, is once again offering trips around the estuary. Moored at the ‘little blue jetty’, the Viking Saga is the best way to view both the Hythe…
Armed Forces Day 2024 Maldon - Military Vehicle Show

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
07543 881528

armedforcesday@essexhmva.co.uk

Maldon

Join the Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association in Promenade Park, Maldon for a special Armed Forces Day Military Vehicle Show.
Walking Netball at Promenade Park

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
07701365122

Maldon

Every Tuesday. Walking netball is just what it says - netball, like you remember from school, but walking. No running, jumping or leaping allowed!
Maldon Prom parkrun

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

maldonprom@parkrun.com

Maldon

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
The Maze & Singing Stone

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

The Promenade Park maze was built in the 1990s and is a simple hedge maze that children will enjoy. At the centre is a sculpture, in the shape of a standing stone or obelisk, that is called the Singing Stone.
Maldon Prom junior parkrun

Address

Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

maldonpromjuniors@parkrun.com

Maldon

A weekly free 2k timed running event for juniors.
Pirates Bay Adventure Golf

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 854095

info@piratesbaymaldon.co.uk

Maldon

Pirates Bay is an exciting 19 hole adventure Golf Course offering loads of fun for all ages.
Classic Ibiza Maldon

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Steve@stevecochrane.net

Maldon

Classic Ibiza returns to Maldon with a brand new set list for 2024
Get ready for some of the biggest dance anthems of the past 30 years brought to life by a 32 piece orchestra with live vocalists and DJs!
Blackwater Seafood at the Prom

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM95HN

tdpitt@hotmail.co.uk

Maldon

Enjoy one of Maldon's famous oysters, or a selection of other locally caught seafood, at Blackwater Seafood's open air kiosk near the lake and beach area. Open at weekends during the season, the kiosk offers everything from a pot of cockles to…
Maldon Mosaic

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

Maldon Mosaic, which can be found close the sandy play area at the western end of the lake, was designed by Susan Mason and created with her friends at the Limebrook University of the Third Age to celebrate Maldon and the significant events of 2012,…
Rossi in the Park

Address

Kiosk 8, Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
07972 375928

Maldon

Rossi has been making ice cream in Essex since 1932 from a traditional Italian recipe. You can enjoy a variety of different flavours, vegan ices, doughnuts and other sweet treats, at the Kiosk overlooking the ornamental lake. The kiosk also serves…
Maldon Splash Park

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 851898

enquiries@blackwaterleisurecentre.org

Maldon

This fantastic children's water park is located in the centre of Promenade Park in Maldon. It is extremely popular throughout the summer season and features a range of water features and interactive equipment to enjoy.
Maldon Zoo at Christmas

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
07487547122

jcpartypets@gmail.com

Maldon

Various dates until Christmas Eve. Enjoy a special Christmas themed visit to Maldon Zoo, including a trip to visit Santa and a special gift from Father Christmas. You can also see live reindeer and have your photo taken with them in a static sleigh.
Promenade Park Public Toilets (Coach Park)

Address

Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 854477

Maldon

Public toilets situated at Promenade Park in Maldon.

Promenade Park History & Heritage

Promenade Park has been a place of peace for the people of Maldon for well over a century

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