An early Saxon settlement, Maldon is one of the oldest recorded towns in the county and first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 913AD, listed as ‘Maeldune’, meaning ‘monument hill’. The famous Battle of Maldon in 991AD saw a large force of Vikings invade the area despite the best efforts of Anglo-Saxon leader, Byrhtnoth. A prominent statue commemorating Byrhtnoth stands at the end of Promenade Park, facing the battle site.
Today, the estuary provides a more tranquil outlook and is one of very few places to provide trips and holidays on board traditional Thames sailing barges (bargetrust.org). Back on land, explore the Maeldune Heritage Centre (maelduneheritagecentre.org) home to the Maldon Embroidery which was completed in 1991 to celebrate the Battle of Maldon’s Millennium. Thomas Plume’s Library (thomasplumeslibrary.co.uk), the Combined Military Services Museum (cmsm.co.uk) are also of interest, and Madison Heights (madisonheights.co.uk) has a ten-pin bowling alley and roller-skating rink. As well as being home to Edward Bright, known as the “fat man of Maldon” who weighed 47.5 stone, and suffragette and women’s rights activist, Myra Sadd Brown, cyclist, Alex Dowsett is a Maldonian, while England cricketer, Sir Alastair Cook played for Maldon Cricket Club. And, Sam Ryder who represented the UK in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, not only hails from Maldon, he restored our faith in the contest and is a genuine nice guy!
Maldon and the surrounding areas have been included in many dramas, including The Essex Serpent and supernatural horror film, Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe. Filmed on Osea Island and nearby locations, the island was also the venue for singer, Olly Murs and wife Amelia, for their wedding last summer.
Property wise, the town has homes to suit all. Silver Street with its early 19th century properties, Victoria Road has character homes with high ceilings and original fireplaces, while Wellington Road is lined with a selection of enviable period properties. For those looking for a waterside base then, of course, there’s apartments looking out to the river. Nearby, Heybridge Basin offers an idyllic setting… do follow the seawall to Goldhanger for a scenic stroll. New homes are being built around the town and a new school, Limebrook Primary, is due to open this September. Rated outstanding, Maldon Court Preparatory School provides private education, while the town’s only secondary school, Plume Academy, is split over two separate campuses. The A12 can be accessed at Hatfield Peverel or Witham (these are the nearest railway stations, too) while First Bus and Hedingham and Chambers provide bus services.
EATING AND DRINKING
If there’s one ingredient Maldon is renowned for, it’s salt (maldonsalt.com). Used by chefs across the world it has been synonymous with the town since 1882. Of course, there’s many places to eat and drink including family-run cocktail lounge, Ginny’s (@ginnysmaldon). There’s a fun vibe, striking interiors and it’s perfect for pre-drinks before dinner or a catch up with friends. It’s just over a year since The Muddy Duck (muddyduckmaldon.co.uk) opened on Maldon’s Fullbridge, next to the picturesque River Chelmer. On a sunny day locals and visitors take in the views while enjoying a bite to eat or drink. If you’re walking through the town, you’ll be tempted to try out Sark, (sarkrestaurant.co.uk) a Mediterranean/Turkish restaurant and previously British Kebab Award Winners. Heading down the high street is new fine dining restaurant, Haus (hausrestaurant.com) which centres its menus around seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. A popular haunt for locals and visitors, Olly Murs (he really does love the area!) recently paid a visit to Continental Café (continentalcafe.co.uk) And you can’t blame him as cakes here (made exclusive by Cake Face) are the cakes of dreams! Having expanded recently, there’s also an outside seating area when the weather is warmer.
STAYCATIONING
If you want to spend the night right in the heart of the town, there’s lots of options to suit. The White Horse (whitehorsemaldon.co.uk) has five ensuite guest rooms and a well-stocked breakfast/brunch menu. Further down is The Swan Hotel (maldonswan.co.uk) which provides a stylish and comfortable haven in the High Street, its food is worth sampling, too. Nearby, in Heybridge, Le Bouchon (lebouchon.co.uk) oozes luxury. A Grade II listed Georgian building, period features abound the building and there’s a stay and dine menu as well as option for customers of the hotel and restaurant to take a trip aboard the river cruise boat from the hotel’s private mooring. With spring on its way Heybridge is also popular for a bit of glamping, camping and caravanning breaks. Both on the banks of the Blackwater Estuary, there’s Mill Beach (millbeach.com) a holiday home park for those looking to buy a holiday home, as well as Osea Leisure Park (osealeisure.com) with its shepherd’s huts, safari tents and glamping pods. Another idyllic spot is the tranquil and serene, Chigborough (chigboroughfarm.co.uk) which ticks several boxes. Offering both glamping and camping options, it is perfect for stargazing and escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
SHOPPING
With many independent shops and businesses there’s a real emphasis for keeping it local and familiar faces such as Coes Menswear (coes.co.uk), Townrow (townrowstores.com) for womenswear, ironmongers, Reeve and Son (reeveandson.co.uk) and Wenlocks Furnishings (wenlocksfurnishings.co.uk) have called Maldon their home for many years. In fact, Wenlock Way, with its retail units and apartments, was created by the Wenlock family. Further along is Edwards Walk shopping arcade which has a selection of retailers including Willow and Fox (willowandfox.co.uk) a clothing and gift boutique, and Upstairs Downstairs (upstairsdownstairsmaldon.com) which is ideal for dressing your home with its selection of fabrics, wallpaper, bedding and much more. Of course, there’s the high street names, but Maldon is lucky not to be saturated and still has its own identity. Woof and Co (woofandcomaldon.co.uk) is dedicated to four legged friends and has everything including collars, leads, coats and beds, as well as natural treats and chews.
EXPLORE
Bird watchers, nature lovers, sailing enthusiasts, and many others love Maldon and if you’re brave enough to walk the hill, it’s a blood thumping hike! You’ll enter the high street where there’s a more gentile walk down to Promenade Park (visitmaldondistrict.co.uk) with its galleon ship play area, beach huts, splash park and petting zoo. It’s also the starting point for the world-famous Maldon Mud Race (maldonmudrace.com) which sees competitors from across the world, and locals, cross the muddy River Blackwater all in aid of local charities. This year’s race is June 2. Once a Viking battlefield, Northey Island is now a peaceful haven for wildlife. Cared for by the National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk) this remote island has the largest block of saltmarsh habitat in the estuary and has been at the forefront of coastal adaptation for the past 30 years. Access is via a tidal causeway so planning your visit is vital. While there’s no longer a train station (it closed in 1964) evidence of Maldon East Station remains in all its glory with the Grade II listed building, but you can still get a feel for the railway, and much more, at the nearby Museum of Power (museumofpower.org.uk). It recently reopened after a £1.9M refurbishment courtesy of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other backers and holds a variety of events.
Three of Maldon’s dog friendly cafes
The Steam Pump Tea Room, Museum of Power.
After recent renovations it’s full steam ahead for Sam White and partner Matt, at this idyllic spot which serves breakfast, lunch, cakes, Italian coffee and a wide range of teas.
thesteampumptearoom.com.
Maldon Coffee, 30A High Street.
With more than 60 varieties of unique specialist coffees, homemade pastries and cakes, it’s dog-friendly both upstairs and downstairs of the coffee shop.
maldoncoffee.co.uk
Salero Lounge, 43/45 High Street.
A new face to the town, the café/bar welcomes four-legged friends as long as they follow the Canine Code! Water bowls and treats also available.
thelounges.co.uk/salero/
LOCAL VIEW
Case study: Maldon resident and owner of Maldon Books, Olivia Rosenthall.
“Maldon is a special place. A historical town with community at its heart. From cosy coffee shops to the beautiful barges along the Hythe Quay, it’s a town full of stories, colour and life. There are plenty of independent businesses on the High Street, a lot of them family-run, and many people within the community strive to support them. There’s plenty of fun events that take place throughout the year, from the world-famous Maldon Mud Race to the annual Christmas Fayre, the sense of community is just wonderful. We’ve loved every minute of being here. In recent months, our bookshop has expanded, where we now have a bigger space, more books, and the new addition of vinyl! Despite opening just before the first national lockdown, our community were so good to us and our fellow independent businesses in Maldon, we’ll always be grateful for the love and support we’ve been shown. It’s a joy to be a part of such a vibrant town.”
maldonbooks.com
