An exhibition featuring Maldon And Heybridge Heritage Harbour 23/04/2026 – 12/05/2026
We at the Maeldune are delighted to welcome our Maldon Heritage partners to the Maeldune for an insightful display of information and history concerning the Heritage Harbour. Whenever you come along to see the exhibits you are likely to be able to meet a member of the team who can offer historical insights into the history of the Heritage Harbour area and all that is has offered to the town of Maldon through the ages.
Maldon and Heybridge Heritage Harbour
Maldon and Heybridge Heritage Harbour is a designated maritime heritage area in Maldon, Essex, England, covering the waterfronts of Maldon town and the adjacent village of Heybridge, along the River Blackwater and the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. It is managed by the Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour, a registered charity dedicated to preserving and promoting the area’s rich maritime history, traditional vessels, and working waterfront culture. The HH was granted charity status on 25 July 2025.
Charity no 1214270
UK Heritage Harbours Initiative
Heritage Harbours is a national joint initiative led by the Maritime Heritage Trust, National Historic Ships UK, and Historic England, drawing inspiration from similar models across Europe such as “Museum Harbours” in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. It recognises ports and harbours of significant historical value—both coastal and inland—that retain original features, buildings, and facilities capable of supporting historic vessels and traditional maritime skills.
The scheme aims to safeguard these sites, revitalise their heritage assets, and connect communities to the UK’s maritime past. Benefits include protecting at-risk structures, supporting local businesses, boosting tourism, providing education and training opportunities, and fostering community cohesion. As of 2024, there are 14 designated Heritage Harbours across the UK, with new sites joining regularly. The most recent additions are Gloucester Docks and Ramsgate Royal Harbour, which joined during Heritage Open Days 2024.
Other designated sites include Bideford, Bristol, Buckler’s Hard, Chester, Exeter, Faversham and Oare Creeks, Ipswich, Sandwich, Shardlow, Stourport-on-Severn, and Wells-next-the-Sea.
Maldon and Heybridge was one of the early sites to be recognised, holding the designation HH3.
