The Maldon Little Ship Club, which was founded in 1927, is opposite the Maldon Hythe Quay, home of the historic Thames Sailing Barges.
The word 'Hythe' is an old Saxon word and roughly translated means landing place. Hythe Quay has been in existence for well over a thousand years, and for all of that time, up to and including today, has been the gateway to Maldon for vessels arriving from the sea.
The origins of the Thames sailing barge lie in the 17th and 18th centuries when flat-bottomed wooden craft evolved for use in the River Thames and its Kent neighbour the River Medway.
During the last hundred years, the importance of Hythe Quay as a place of trade for cargo carrying vessels has gradually been eroded and today all the barges carry to and from it are charterers.
Hythe Quay is an ideal location for a visit, whether it be overnight or just for a few hours.
