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Tollesbury Marina

Tollesbury Marina is situated on the picturesque Essex saltmarshes near the River Blackwater (CM9 8SE). Surrounded by coastal walks and wildlife, it features historic sail lofts, a distinctive red lightvessel and nearby Woodup Pool, a popular tidal swimming pool.

Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SE

Historic white wooden sail lofts at Tollesbury, Essex, with high tide water surrounding their raised foundations and reflecting the buildings.

Our visit

This was an impromptu visit following a very busy couple of days but, rather than chilling, Graham, as ever, had to 'get out'! We chose to visit nearby Tollesbury Marina located on the picturesque saltmarshes of the River Blackwater. We had often detoured to the small village of Tollesbury on the way back from a longer trip but this time, we decided to stop and explore further.

The marina provides a comprehensive boating service with over 250 fully serviced pontoon berthing and is surrounded by beautiful walks to the River Blackwater next to Tollesbury Creek and into a nature reserve. There is also a Woodup Pool, a salt water tidal pool with a small 'beach' at one end which is very popular in the summer.

As you walk along the sea wall, you cannot fail to notice the large red ship moored on the saltmarshes. This is the Trinity Lightvessel, built in 1954 for Trinity House which looks after shipping navigation marks around the UK. In 1990, it was converted in to a residential centre for the Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust. Before her retirement in 1988, she had worked all around the UK before being bought by the Fellowship Afloat and taken to her current position in Tollesbury.

Another striking feature of the marina is the historic group of 4 picturesque Sail Lofts (aka Yacht Stores) which were built between 1906-08. The lower floors were used for storing the yachts and sailing gear while the upper part was used by fisherman. They fell out of regular use after WW2 before gaining Grade 11 listed status in the 1970's and being restored the following decade.

The afternoon we visited the tide was coming in, as you can see in the photos of the lofts included.

We took a short walk along the sea wall towards Tollesbury Wick nature reserve but our busy previous two days and total unpreparedness for the walk got the better of us and we decided to postpone for another better organised day!

Good to know

Strong walking shoes for the sea wall and nature walk.

Getting around

Where we walked was easy access.

Red Trinity Lightvessel moored among sailing boats at Tollesbury, Essex, beneath a cloudy sky. Harbour View restaurant at Tollesbury Marina, with outdoor picnic benches beneath a cloudy sky. Sailing boats moored in the calm waters of Tollesbury Marina, with dramatic clouds overhead. Sailing boats and yachts moored in the calm waters of Tollesbury Marina, Essex, with reflections beneath a blue sky and scattered clouds, framed by trees. Sailing yachts and motorboats moored at Tollesbury Marina, with offshore wind turbines visible beyond the saltmarshes. Tollesbury Marina with moored boats, a waterside boat shed and the red Trinity Lightvessel in the distance. Small boats and sailing yachts beside a flooded marina slipway at Tollesbury, with the Trinity Lightvessel in the background. Sailing boats at Tollesbury Marina, with a traditional Thames sailing barge visible beyond the masts and saltmarshes. Historic timber-clad sail lofts at Tollesbury, with steep external staircases, red roofs and coastal vegetation in the foreground.

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