near Southend, England

[Abby]

Can anyone suggest something (or someone) wooden boat-related to visit near the Southend, England area? We will be there Nov 23-30, and would love to see someone else's project for a change.
We are open to all suggestions.

thanks, Abby

[RichardBlake]

Hi, Abby. Will you have the use of a car? There's quite a lot to see just North of Southend, from Burnham on Crouch right up to Woodbridge on the river Deben. The bit I know best, although it's been a few years, is the river Blackwater, North bank, from Maldon to Brightlingsea. How about the Colne Smack Preservation Society dock in Brightlingsea? Info and map to get there on http://www.alberta-ck318.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm (think that's right). There's the St. Osyth yard a couple of miles away who build and repair smacks and barges, I think.
Then there's Mersea Island, Tollesbury, Heybridge Basin and Maldon along the Blackwater, all with a strong tradition of wooden boats, barges, oyster smacks. Used to generally be interesting boats at Downs Road boatyard in Maldon, where there are also always Thames Barges alongside the quay (known as the Hythe).
There's also Faversham, which is worth seeing, but it's on the other side of the estuary, and a fairly long way round by car. Hope you find some good stuff.

Richard

[moseahawk]

Abby,
Richard mentioned Woodbridge as a possible destination, which is the home of Classic Marine, offering traditional equipment for classic boats. I paid a visit to their store two years ago, and found it very interesting. Here is their web address:
http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/
Michael

[Alan D. Hyde]

Distances in England aren't daunting, and you'll be there for seven days, it appears.

I'd go out of my way to pay a visit to John R. & Kate Smith, and the lovely Lulu, and wish them well from all of us here.

They're just up the river from Falmouth, IIRC, just about two hundred miles West from where you'll be.

Alan

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

My views on Woodbridge can be gathered from my address...and my boat is laid up in Robertsons' yard next door to Classic Marine...but let's get nearer Southend...

Southend is next to Leigh on Sea which still has a fleet of wooden fishing boats, mainly shrimpers. Lulu which Alan mentions was built by the Dauntless BB Co near Southend. There's quite a bit going on just there.

I agree that if you have the use of a car a visit to Burnham on Crouch, then Maldon, then Mersea, then Brightlingsea, then Walton, then Pin Mill, then Woodbridge would make a good couple of days. Not far to drive, but too much to see in one day.

[Abby]

Thanks for all the good suggestions. We will have a car, and as soon we can break away from all the festivities (Grandma is turning 103) we will head north.

Abby

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

It's the North Sea air! Best wishes for her.