Navigation Cottage on the Historic Sea Lock overlooking the Nature Reserve

What a gorgeous coastal location


A stunningly beautiful historic cottage



Enjoy elegant luxury in a beautiful location beside a historic Sea Lock, Nature Reserve and the Sea wall.





The Experience



This is a really beautiful historic coastal cottage, furnished to very high standards and situated beside the sea wall, the Historic ships at Heybridge Lock, and a Nature Reserve which extends from its back garden



It is in a great location and offers lovely sea view walks, and bikes are freely provided.



Navigation Cottage is set back from a sea lock at the mouth of the Blackwater Estuary. beautifully estored Thames barges, and yachts of different sizes and countries, come and go every day creating a cosmopolitan environment along the Essex coastline.



The back of the cottage opens out to unspoiled marsh land and is a pit stop for migrating birds on their way to Africa, Scandinavia or Maldon.



This romantic cottage has been modernised to offer a well equipped kitchen. Two lovely shower rooms designed to revive you once you have enjoyed a boat trip, or a walk along the sea wall or returned home from the many local attractions. In winter you can unwind in front of a fire or should you wish to stay in touch with the world enjoy our internet and Smart TV.



Navigation cottage was originally built in the late 1700’s and housed the foremen who worked on the canal. Thanks to their hard work, tonnes of cargo made its way along the waterway developing trade, whilst creating an outlet for adventure. The world was everyone’s oyster back then and we hope that spirit of exploration and escapism will be revived during your stay at this beautiful pearl of a cottage.



This cottage accepts well behaved dogs.



The owners welcome their guests with a lovely cake, tea, cofee, milk, sugar, everything for a relaxing afternoon tea.





Cottage Walkthrough.



You enter this beautiful cottage into a hallway with the cosy sitting room to your right and a marble bathroom to your left, ahead is the well equipped kitchen and stairs to the 3 bedrooms and bathroom - please note that the only open fire is in the sitting room.



The kitchen opens out into the wonderful conservatory which catches the sun all day and has views over the large garden and onto the Lake Nature Reserve beyond.



There is a lovely formal dining room off the kitchen, as well as a handy well equipped utility room .



Upstairs there are 2 elegant king size bedrooms and a third bedroom which you can book as an extra  cost for a single person.



The second marble shower bathroom on the landing hall.



The Cottage sits snugly between the historic lock with is beautiful ships, the lake Nature Reserve and the Sea Wall: a unique position but also very private, as the cottage is set well back and the view from the conservatory is away from the lock.



The cottage is elegant and comfortable with beautiful antique and contemporary furniture rarely seen in a holiday cottage.



Its position is exceptional for privacy, enjoying sea view walks, nature and visiting local pubs and tearooms: a dream for doggies as everything is literally on your doorstep.



There is a parking permit for 1 car beside the canal right opposite the cottage, the owners need your car registration number to be able register your car for free parking - please give it to us at least 2 days in advance. - there is a car

park just 80 yards down the canal (you would have passed by the entrance shortly before arriving at the lock)


Please note that this cottage can only accept up to two infants that fit into our supplied Travel Cots – please do not book in more infants as we will have to decline the booking – sorry.



We supply highchairs and travel cots but ask you to bring bedding for the cots.



Please also note that if you have been offered a lower price for just 2 guests staying in this cottage (this happens out of high season) - then it is based on you using just one bedroom.



Pets: We can accept up to 2 well behaved doggies in this cottage (or cats ), the price is £25 pw per dog or £15 for less than a week – this payment can be taken after booking.







The Garden



Navigation cottage is set back from the Sea Lock and Canal by a swath of grass and then its own front garden - you come through a Rose arch to the Front entrance of the cottage and the gorgeous big mature garden, there is an expanse of luxury decking beside the pond taking in beautiful views over the adjacent Lake Nature Reserve.

The beautiful rear garden is completely private and not overlooked.

You can have meals in the luxury Dining room or the comfortable Conservatory with views over the garden and onto the lake Nature Reserve, there are even BBQ facilities outside and an area which is enclosed for dogs to be let lose in without worrying.



Please note:



There is a car parking place for guests beside the Lock gate, you will be given a permit when you arrive, other cars can use the free car park 80 meters away. Guests will use the Lock gate to cross over to Navigation Cottage, the walkway has ramps and railings and is wide enough for wheelchairs.

Outside



You have footpaths to explore around the lake starting just on the other side of your garden hedge. There are miles of pretty canal side walks all the way into Maldon, where the famous Historic Thames Barges are berthed on the Hythe quay. You are always invited to have a look around and maybe lucky in buying a place on a memorable short sailing excursion.

At Heybridge Basin where Navigation Cottage is situated, there is the historic lock with two pubs and the well known Tiptree Tea Rooms of jam making fame. The walks along the sea wall can take you round to Maldon or all the way up to Tollesbury, if you fancy a really long walk!

The ever changing tides, sea, sky, ships and landscape make this a special place to visit and relax in.

Canoes can be hired and delivered from the Out door Centres





Green Credentials



Navigation cottage is a grade 2 listed building located in a wildlife haven within a conservation area.

All aspects of the cottage blend into the natural environment in which it is located.

The cottage is managed in a way to provide a truly comfortable and relaxing stay whilst enhancing its environmental setting.

The garden is full of native plants, has a habitat pond and is managed to bring wildlife in - a unique hide and hideaway.





Local Area



Hebridge Basin and Maldon contain many good pubs and the owners have their own at Purleigh: The Purleigh Bell

There are good restaurant nearby like Rubino’s.

You can walk straight from the cottage along the canal or Sea Wall for miles.

Bikes are provided for guests to use.

There are local opportunities for fishing, sailing and horse riding

There are quite a

few interesting places to visit nearby like Layer Marney Tower, The Abbey at Coggeshall and Braxted Park and the world famous Beth Chatto Gardens are just 40 minutes away.




Standard Inclusive Features



The Cottage is a complete little home and facilities include modern central heating, refrigerator, hobs, oven and / or microwave, toaster, crockery & serving dishes, cutlery, many utensils, fire-extinguisher, lots of pots & pans, glasses & mugs, kettle, coffee maker, teapot, kitchen towels, oven gloves, olive oil, salt & pepper, sugar, herbs, tea, fresh and instant coffee, washing up liquid, cloths, general cleaning materials, etc.

Bathroom: The lovely large shower bathrooms downstairs and upstairs are provided with fluffy cotton towels, hair-dryer, bath mats, toilet brush and toilet rolls.

Bedroom: Cotton bed linen and duvets.

Living room: Wifi, Smart TV , books, games, magazines, local brochures, OS and other maps, folder with our special ‘What To Do’ insider’s guide to the local area.

Heaters: Central heating throughout the cottage.

Bikes for adults and children: Please check with the owner that these are available before you arrive to avoid disappointment if they are in for maintenance

Baby: Cot and high chair is provided (please bring babies bedding).