While at Mill Race why not take a row up the scenic Colne Valley on the River Colne. You can hire one our row boats from ½ an hour upwards. For the more adventurous you can row up to several kilometers up stream towards the village of Chapel and is an excellent way of seeing local wildlife. If you go far enough you may be able to see the impressive viaduct at Chapel built around 1840. With 32 arches, comprising of some 7 million bricks, it is the longest viaduct in East Anglia & has been voted as one of the top wonders of England.

Our boating, dependent on suitable weather and river conditions, is usually open from April through to late October.

Current hire charges

£ 4.00 for 1st ½ an hour.

1 hour £ 7.50 and thereafter £ 3.50 per additional ½ hour. A boat can take up to 4 adults or equivalent.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call before visiting specifically for rowing to ensure it is open.

Click here for Conditions of boat hire

For the less energetic, if you just want to relax we have a picnic area on the banks of the river where you can enjoy a light lunch or sandwich from our coffee shop. There is a public foot path which forms part of the ever popular Essex Way walk.

Within our picnic area you will see one of the many pillboxes that cover the Southeast of England which were built during World War II to protect against possible ground invasion. This pillbox is part of a defensive line known as The Eastern Command Line which ran from the mouth of the River Colne off East Mersea following as far as Chappel before heading North up through Suffolk and Norfolk to Kings Lynn.. For those of you interested you will see it is an impressive structure of an unusual design and in pristine condition.