Brightlingsea Harbour

Brightlingsea Harbour is a charming mixed-use port on the east coast of Essex, England, with both leisure and commercial functions. Nestled in Brightlingsea Creek, at the mouth of the River Colne where it meets the Blackwater and Thames Estuaries. The Colne is navigable up to Colchester (~7 miles), and the Blackwater up to Maldon (~11 miles) A Historic Harbour, it dates back to Roman times and was once a Cinque Port limb since 1353. Notable for oyster fishing, shipbuilding smacks, and hosting a WWII naval base (HMS Nemo), it’s also become a popular filming site (e.g., The Essex Serpent, Tarzan, Tom Kerridge’s show) Operated by the Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners (a trust port), it's well-equipped for boaters and visitors: Berths & Moorings: 200-berth marina, pontoons, swinging moorings, accommodating up to ~15 m vessels Fuel & Water: Diesel available via a barge; fresh water taps on jetties and town hard Pump-Out & Waste: Sewage pump-out and oily waste disposal on-site Amenities: Showers, toilets, coin-operated washer/dryer, maintenance posts by booking, VHF Channel 68, harbour office open daily (with seasonal weekend hours) Visitor seasonal/monthly options available Speed Restrictions: Strict limits enforced to protect wildlife and ensure safety; racing boats get special dispensation