The Tiptree tea room at Heybridge Basin, also known as “the lock” tea room, sits on the sea wall overlooking the Blackwater estuary, not far across the water is Northey Island which is owned by the National Trust. 

The hamlet of Heybridge Basin is centred round the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Canal which was constructed following an Act of Parliament in 1793 and it took less than 4 years to dig the initial four miles of the project.  The canal’s main purpose was to transport heavy good and building materials to the growing town of Chelmsford. 

Visitors to the tea room terrace can watch the colourful sailing boats on the estuary or listen to the winter birds searching for a morsel in the mud.  The tea room which opened in 2003, was formerly a café and ship’s chandlers and visitors may spot signs of its former life. 

Keen walkers can cross the canal by the lock keeper’s cottage and walk along the sea wall to Heybridge, the path follows the route of the Blackwater river with the ancient town of Maldon on the opposite bank.  At Heybridge walkers may find a “shortcut” through a housing estate to a small bridge taking them to the far side of the canal or they can walk to the main road and cross the bridge over the canal and drop down to the towpath then walk back to Heybridge Basin.  A good lunch or hearty breakfast at the tea room will be well earned.