Great River Walk | Chelmer Navigation - Chelmsford to Maldon Essex (4K)
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Fantastic walk along the River Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from Chelmsford to Maldon, Essex. Filmed on 23rd January 2020.
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Music used in this video (from the UA-cam Audio Library)
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Fortress Europe by Dan Bodan
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Waiting by Andrew Langdon
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I use to live in Leytonstone
Now I live just outside maldon
The walk up to Heybridge basin and beyond is well worth it
And yes detectorists is the best program ever
Haha! I lived in Barking until 10 years old,, then Maldon until 20, then back to East London including Leyton, Stoke Newington and now Green Lanes!
Watching you from Russia, I’m reminded of a lovely Russian onomatopoeic word describing exactly what your boots have been doing in the boggiest parts of the Chelmer’s path: хлюпать , x-LU-pat !
The mist on the river and through the path was magical. I love how John is whispering as night fell as if to not disturb the silence of the evening, brilliant.
Fantastic video as always John. Series 3 of The Detectorists had scenes in episodes 2 and 6 filmed at Paper Mill Lock, where Lance tries to stay on Toni's narrow boat. Further down towards Maldon is Beeleigh Abbey, which used to be owned by William Foyle, the chap who founded Foyle's bookshop with his brother. It's still in the family now.
Thanks for that Martin - I watched Ep.6 just the other night and remember that scene. I'll forever be grateful to Foyles for giving my book a big window display at their old store in Charing Cross Road just before they moved to the new building
That looks like just the sort of place that the Essex Serpent might lurk, just as well you got to Maldon by nightfall !
This river in beautiful at the height of summer too 💚 truly a jewel of the south east
This reminds me of where my dad went fishing he loved nature
Great video John. I live in Chelmsford. Where the new development was down by Brockley road is where the old gas works used to be. Coal was brought up by barge from.heybridge sea lock to be turned in to town gas. I used to love coming home in the back of mum and dad car in the 70s and seeing the gas works all.lit up at night.
Thanks Rob
Stunning filming John, a day of poetic beauty. Thank you.
Many thanks- I have great memories of this walk
Perfectly atmospheric and quite haunting.
A lovely walk. Thanks for sharing that with us. And, yes, yes to your proposal to walk the Detectorists country.
Another great video John, thank you!
As a boy I spent many weekends down at the Heybridge basin and often walked the coastal path to Osea Island, very fond memories. I'll go back and revisit sometime soon!
Cheers, Nigel
thanks Nigel - I'm planning to go back for a walk round Heybridge Basin
Another great walk under your belt. When I was very young we would search for crayfish in the chelmer, near little Waltham. Lots of wildlife including grass snakes. Thanks again John.
Thanks for that Tim - already looking forward to returning to walk along the estuary
Thank you john. Brought back memories of wheni lived in colchester now living in canada but England is where my heart is thanks john.
Smashing walk John. That black pipeline on the start is a remnant of the cold War national secret pipeline system. There used to be a refinery on the site if that pipeline until the 1980 s. A lovelly walj. Thank you for posting
Thank you for this walk!
I often take thermos with tea with spoonful of honey for my much shorter walks.
What a beautiful and atmospheric walk especially in the fading light.
Another childhood haunt. My family lived for years in Maldon and we would walk the very intact old railway many times.
Walking to the edge of the missing span of the now demolished railway viaduct.
Love this area and the hidden gem of a trestle bridge at Wickham Bishops.
Thank you for this John. As an Essex girl living in Canada (50 yrs now)I find your walks quite delightful. Those photos of the January countryside, the river and the locks......enchanting! Also I had forgotten about the Essex clay/mud and the way it clings to ones boots. Lol
My pleasure - this was a magical walk in many ways - those January skies cast a very particular light
Every time I see a swan I think of Spike.
Down the stream the swans all glide;
It's quite the cheapest way to ride.
Their legs get wet,
Their tummies wetter:
I think after all
The bus is better
I loved Spike's poems - in Silly Verse for Kids!
The towpath is always something of a mire in the winter, though the Trust have tried to consolidate the paths in places, like around Barnes Lock. It's a lovely place to walk early in the morning in the spring, with lots of Skylarks singing and the occasional Cuckoo calling in the distance over the fields.
A lovely walk and video! I run this route regularly and thoroughly enjoy each time - each season and time of day has something different to offer. And the pubs in Maldon are well worth visiting. I'd also recommend checking the "Saltmarsh 75" route - around the Dengie, through Maldon and beyond around the coastline.
🚶♂️I have always wondered about your muddy boots and going on public transport 😊. Yet another fab walk. I know Chelmsford well so it was nice to see you start your walk from there.
Thanks Kat - I plan to go back when the days are a bit longer
John that was a class one. Some of the stills from it look like paintings. Grey and beautiful. A real battle with the ten miles of mud. There's a metaphor in there somewhere. Through your films we get to see the world the way that you see it. Cool.
Blinding walk John, and yes, it does feel like more is in store. Thanks for the regular Sunday treat.
Indeed look forward to them.
Thankyou John, another great walk. I hope you managed to get a pint at the end of it!.
thanks Nick - I did indeed get a pint back in Wanstead
i first did this exact walk with my father in 1983! I was 12 and it really took its toll on my feet/legs but the IPA shandy at the pub at the end made it all worth while! I lived in Galleywood at the time, now I live in Leyton and have admired your videos here also. Tho it really makes me want to live back in this part of Essex. Danbury is a dream place to live. Thanks for these videos
25:16 There must be a word for the strange melancholic and slightly oppressive feeling one gets when dusk falls and the lights come on in a half-empty mall car park.
it will be in German for sure
@@JohnRogersWalks :-))
Great video John, for another video you should walk from Maldon down the river blackwater all the way to Tollesbury, it's a great walk and would be a good addition to go with this video, I used to live close and these villages have a lot of history
Red plants at 9:40, Willow (not weeping willow) saplings growing for planting beside the river and then harvesting for Cricket bats and woven fence panels etc. Not sure why but This part of Essex seems to be willow central. There is another plantation next to the Chelmer much further up stream near Hartford End, less than a mile from where i live. I've cycled the path you're on more times than i can remember.
A great walk John so thanks for that. I admire you for doing it this time of year as its quite arduous. I used to live in Heybridge by the canal before I moved to Devon in the early 2000's. My particular favourite stretch was from Maldon town to the lock gates where it meets the sea, the Old Ship pub. I highly recommend doing the walk in summer.
Thanks - I'm really looking forward to going back Spring/Summer and walking up the coast from Maldon
It's taken me a year, but on this surprisingly cool to cold Summer's Saturday morning (and an hour paddling after uncatchable waves in the Pacific Ocean earlier chilled me further...), I relished your slog through the mud John.
For me the brief moments around 22:37 is the peak of this particular walk. Breathtaking in it's ordinariness. Layers and layers of history. I'd like to walk there, and pitch my tent near that wee church-yard, pray and drink hot tea and give thanks to the Creator for all that is good in this world. And for England. I promise to leave no trace.
Paper Mill Lock cafe is lovely. Admittedly I've only driven to it for lunch then a wander around, but worth a visit and a stroll along the river.
What a great walk John, I have walked many areas in this vid over the years but not all at once, I live about 5 mins from Sandford Mill Lock as as usual you forget just how lovely the areas you live in can be.
"Italian neo realist film" - love it !
Thanks John, once again I feel as though I have been on a walk with you... and I didn't even need to clean the mud off my boots afterwards. Thanks for making these excellent VLogs.
My pleasure Michael
A lot of your walks contain waterways, which I whole heartedly appreciate. I used to live on a houseboat on the Chelsea embankment near Battersea bridge. Do you remember "Battersea Funfair"? What ever happened to that?
Nice mention of that great show Detectorists.
Lovely, but definitely worth part #2 - emerging onto the main estuary at the end of the navigation is a thrill, and Maldon quay deserves a daylight visit. Some nice pubs along the way as well.
Thanks for the tip - looking forward to the return - probably in Spring
If you get a chance it's definitely worth continuing to the Heybridge basin , it's a really pretty place with good pubs . Also worth a walk along the coast around St Peters on the wall church - the history is fantastic .
It’s at the top of my list post-lockdown Andy, as soon as I can get on a train
Another great walk, thoroughly enjoyed it. Part II eagerly awaited!
John, only recently found your channel and, being a citizen of Maldon have thoroughly enjoyed your walks along the Crouch and Chelmer Navigation. You must come back and walk Burnham to Bradwell to take in the wonderful St. Peters chapel.
as others have mentioned, the Detectorists was a great show! i enjoy how you tie modern and ancient lore into your walks - thanks very much!
Plastic over shoes good for putting over muddy boots then into the pub you go ,thanks for another lovely walk .
Thanks John for a magical and relaxing walk along the Chelmer .Beautifully and atmospherically shot. Look forward ro your next video and always appreciate your filming output. You should carry a pair of light plimsoles in your rucksack and a strong bag that you can put your muddy boots in so that you can be respectable when going in a pub:)
thanks Humble, and the plimsoles are a great idea
Great vlog John love those river and coast walks so much history in Essex cheers
Love your stuff John, this is so damn good!
Fascinating commentary and observation on what looks like quite a monotonous setting? Cheers John.
thanks O O
That was truly wonderful, amazing light and landscapes, I hope you finish the walk one day John and follow the Blackwater Estuary, and I'd love a daylight peep at those old sailing barges at Maldon if you ever find yourself that way again! Very inspiring thanks :-)
there was something in the mist that day Lois. By coincidence it was the my Mum's birthday - the 2nd one since her passing which gave it a personal poignancy. I really need to get back out there and now the summer has gone looks like it might be in winter again
@@JohnRogersWalks Wonderful, such a special day. I have done a painting inspired by the walk, I've tagged you on IG
John, I know that muddy path well as I have lived near Paper Mill Lock for about 30 years. I did the whole 14 mile walk during lockdown but in very good weather. It is a shame that you did not see Heybridge as there are two excellent pubs and a beautiful view too. Keep up the good work, Tim.
what a lovely river thanks again
God knows why some enterprising producer at the BBC has not picked up on you John,you are a natural presenter,informative,enthusiastic,with a deep love of landscape which you communicate effortlessly.Your digressions,procrastinations,hunger,and occasional bewilderedment,are just the stuff of real rambles.As I cannot get out now, you have added to my quality of life.Many Thanks.(Rings of Saturn great read!)
That’s so kind of you Eddie - means a lot to me to be able to share these walks
Beautiful place for a walk!
Fascinating area full of Saxon lore and seemed to take you back to the Middle Ages. Shame about the mud though.
Well said John.
Well done John for battling the mud almost every vista of this video could be a watercolour in a gallery great footage 👍
Thanks TTv - it was such an enjoyable walk, can't wait to get back out there
Thanks for the video John loved the mist of the river. See you on the next one.
cheers David
Looking forward to part Two!
Great video John, I hope your boots are waterproof...
Luckily yes Colin - Merrell very reliable
I found your channel a few days ago its brilliant 🙂 after a stressful day at work your videos are so relaxing thank you for making my day little brighter. P.s I love history and walking
that's great to hear little witch - many thanks
Another great video John, these are very inspirational, especially to me, as another on my list to do, after the Essex Way. All the best, Steve 👍
Fairly belated comment, the building you thought may be a water treatment works is indeed just that. Long out of it's initial use, it now houses a seasonal science museum, worth it for the preserved hut which housed 2MT, Britain's first radio station. The Chelmer was a part of the WWII GHQ Stop Line system, there's dozens of pillboxes and spigot mortar platforms scattered around Chelmsford with views of the Chelmer.
Visited the water treatment plant on a school trip back in the late 70s
The water works building is a Marconi museum amazing place love the vids
You have to go back John Muddyboots to get your pint.....Some really lovely scenes along the way. I never get bored when out with you. Thank you
Fantastic video as always John. Glad you got to see Ulting Church!
The round tower Church featured in Detectorists is just the other side of Colchester. Hoping to visit it in the better weather.
Thnaks I'll have to add that to the location list
Well done persevering with the mud.... it has been a challenge coping with it in many places this Winter, that is for sure!
I really felt in my legs the next day
The city of chelmsford is beautiful
The "Interesting building" at 6.50 is a water treatment plant AND hold a whole lot of MARCONI ORIGINAL equipment as a sort of Museum
I actually love the atmosphere in places when skies are gray and there is a bit of drizzle. Also, would love to see some of the landscapes where The Detectorists was filmed.
This was such an atmospheric landscape Carole - I reckon I caught it at the perfect time. Hope I can get out to Suffolk this summer
Really enjoyed this we was going to do the walk in reverse this weekend but looking at the path may hold off untill spring or a sharp frost,
What an amazing walk! Well, you finally hit the mud I've mentioned in comments on some of your other walks this winter! What you encountered in this walk makes my 6 mile walk through ankle deep mud in Ruislip Woods in early January seem easy! By the way, for me, the days when the last mile of a 14 mile walk is the fastest are long over. Looking forward to your next one.
Thanks voxley - the next one is back on the London Loop, so no doubt along paths you've already walked
Keep up the good work/walk!
Heybridge Basin is well worth a visit. Couple of nice pubs and cafes there.
I really need to get back there David
Great Walk
Thankyou
The Canal section is basically from Beeleight Falls to Haybridge Sea Lock
Great video as always John, I always look forward to them.
cheers Alan, that means a lot, I love making these videos and always look forward to upload day
Great video mate. You should definitely continue from Maldon down past Heybridge sometime right out to Tollesbury. It's a lovely walk
Thanks Ad - that’s high on the list for this summer
Yet another brilliant walk John (despite all the mud!) and it brought a huge smile to my face when you mentioned The Detectorists. I love it too, such a wonderful gentle comedy. I think your idea of a walk around Framlingham to pay homage is an excellent one 😊👍 Going back to the topic of mud, perhaps a pair of Crocs in your rucksack and a bag to put your muddy boots in would solve your dilemma? Not the most stylish item of footwear I grant you, but they are incredibly light, which is a big bonus when you have to carry them.
Thanks Tony - the Detectorists Walk is definitely on the list now. Yes there seems to be a consensus on taking extra footwear, will source a pair of plimsolls or even take my sandals I wear around the house. Thanks
Love this walk do it in sunny weather the waters are so clear....
Fantastic slippy, slidey journey along there John, a beautiful and historical part of the country indeed that church you passed was wonderful, you'll have to comeback in the height of summer and see what it looks like, thought you'd love Detectorists, I binge watched many episodes over Christmas , a Detectorists walk, yes please, see you on the next, thanks for your company......
Thanks Leslie- the challenge for me now is to wait till summer to return, I’m desperate to go back
Do not despair John, spring is already beginning to stir! You were blessed with magical light on this walk. Turneresque (if that's a word). Would you mind if I ask what you use these days? I seem to remember a Panasonic G series some years back but you are obviously 4k these days. I've just bought some black and white film to give some old kit a run. The nostalgia! :-)
Turneresque is a good description Mouxbar. I'm still on the Panasonic G series but now a GX80, works really well for me, the only downside is the lack of mic input when I'm filming other people, but otherwise a great camera
Took me back a way; Chelmsford born & bred, me. Also rented rooms in the mid-60's in Brockley Road.
Great video as always. You've given me an idea, a train out to Chelmsford and cycle back on NCN1, maybe with a wild camp, one for the longer summer days.
Pill boxes and anti-tank traps are/were quite common along canals as they were designated defensive lines in case of invasion in ww2, there are the remains of an anti-tank trap up on the Greenway where it crosses the Lea near Stratford.
I often cycle this navigation from Chelmsford to Maldon then follow disused railway line from Maldon to Witham ,then train back to Romford ,great days ride on mountain bike....great cake tea stop on way about 7 miles in ....
Also great route for sneaky bivy camp ....
@@whollyspokes3645 I prefer train-out ride-back, it gives more time for distraction.
@@CyclingSteve
I know what you mean , when the days are longer , I catch a ferry from Tilbury to Gravesend ,cycle the old canal east , Up to the North Downs , for a overnight tarp camp in Cobham Woods up on the Downs over looking the Medway valley, then cycle home down Wattling street , its one of my favourites
Fantastic walk thanks
Wonderful walk as ever, you did well through all the mud. Thank you 👍😋
Thanks tomgirl
Absolutely brilliant well done mate enjoyed very much
Thanks Brian
Lovely walk john.
Much appreciated.
Thanks salty popcorn
Absurd levels of mud, that is my time growing up in Essex, either walking where I shouldn't or when I was digging a koi pond for my father in our back garden. That'll teach me to leave school early...
another lovely walk
Thanks Julie
love your videos nice to see this one of my local as a photographer u open my eyes to some cool locations from your videos, ive done some of this chelmsford walk myself
Thanks for that - it's a great area for walking
@@JohnRogersWalks totally agree
Nice walk! Thank you!
Great videos.
As a suggestion regarding losing precious time at the beginning of the walk. You should take a packed lunch and a flask. Possibly save you twenty odd minutes.
All the same, great informative and atmospheric walk.
Really enjoyed this John. Another 'must do' for me. For some reason it made me think of 'Un Paese', a photobook by Paul Strand, with text by Cesare Zavattini. Based on the village of Luzzara, in the Po valley. Different landscape but similar feel.
I'll have to take a look at that book Paul. It really reminded me of some of the landscape in early Antonioni films and some of Fellini's early works - so many of the neo-realist directors were from that part of the world, must have been something in that landscape
Just wish I could give more than one thumbs up.
Your videos are really pleasing to watch. Thanks for sharing. Adding these locations to my list :)
Many thanks- highly recommend this walk
Many thanks- highly recommend this walk
Looks a nice sofa as it goes
Thanks John.
Cheers
Great video Thanks John
cheers G.T.
Hi John
What a delightful walk in a landscape where time seems to stand still. It would have been good to have seen the navigation all those years ago when it still brought goods into Chelmsford. Years ago the we hired a small narrow boat from Paper Mill Lock for a days family adventure to Heybridge Basin and back. We did this twice but on both occasions never quite made it all the way, partly due to the locks taking time to get though and partly because it just was not a race. The tiller in one hand and a pint of ale in the other all you troubles seen to fade.
Like you say you must go back to Maldon one day. Its a smashing place any time of the year and while you are there take a walk to see Byrhtnoth facing the Vikings as they sailed up the Blackwater.
Anyway hope you got back OK by bus to Chelmsford. Hard to imagine Maldon once was connected to the rail network and even had two railway stations.
I wondered why there were no boats moving on the Navigation. It's such an evocative landscape. Really looking forward to going back. Bus times meant I didn't have time for a pint down at the Quay in Maldon so will have to correct that next time.
Very enjoyable thank you, I like the tow path walks, my wife and I hired a narrowboat on the north oxford canal from braunston it was very pretty as is any walk by water. There is something different about the canals around Northampton to the one you just walked, not sure what it is though.
Thanks Lewis - I'd like to walk the canals round Birmingham some time