• Accomodation in Brightlingsea
Baytrees B&B
3 Stanley Avenue
01206 305293
enquiries@bay-trees.com
Brightlingsea Motel B&B
1 High Street
01206 306611
info@brightlingseamotel.co.uk
Paxton Dene B&B
Church Road
01206 304560
holben@btinternet.com
Whitewebbs B&B,
Church Road
01206 302308
Ye Olde Swan B&B
15 High Street
01206 302024

•Banks
There are branches of Lloyds TSB, Natwest, Barclays and Nationwide in Brightlingsea Town Centre.

•Brightlingsea Sailing Club
Brightlingsea Sailing Club is a dinghy sailing club which has an active racing fleet and hosts open events.
www.sailbrightlingsea.com

•Buses
There is a regular bus service between Brightlingsea and Colchester via Wivenhoe every day. It is also possible to catch a bus to Clacton on Sea (change at Thorrington Cross). Local bus timetables can be obtained from the Harbour Office.

• Cash Machines
There are several ATM machines located in the Town Centre in Brightlingsea. ATM’s are located at all banks and also at Tesco Extra in the Town Centre and Fiveways Supermarket.

• Car Hire
Car hire is available from Trace Auto Services in Brightlingsea. Cars can be booked from half a day, vans per day. Tel: 01206 302525

• Car Parking
There are several pay & display car parks near to the water. The closest is located directly behind the Harbour Office at the bottom of Tower Street. Further parking can be found adjacent to Brightlingsea Sailing Club and also near to Bateman’s Tower (see map). There are also two car parks in the Town Centre at Victoria Place and the YMCA.

• Churches
All Saints C of E 01206 302407
St James C of E 01206 302407
St Sabina RC 01206 302485
New Church 01206 306729
Brightlingsea Baptist 01206 302086
Brightlingsea Methodist 01206 302170
Brightlingsea Spiritualist 01206 307780
Salvation Army 01206 302847

• Colne Yacht Club
The Colne Yacht Club welcomes boat visitors and it situated within the Harbour area. Tel: 01206 302954.
www.colneyachtclub.org.uk

• Ferry
A Foot/Cycle Ferry runs from Easter to the end of October between Brightlingsea, Point Clear and East Mersea. During quiet periods Harbour Trips may also be available. Please see the Ferry page for more timetable and prices.

• Fresh Water
Fresh Water is available to visiting boats from the end of the Colne Yacht Club Jetty. There is also a tap at the top of the Town Hard.

• Launching
Boats may launch over the Town Hard on payment of a fee. Launching fees may be paid daily or annually, with a special rate available for residents of Brightlingsea. Fees should be paid to the Hard Master or other Harbour Staff if the Hard Hut is unattended. Launching fees relate to boat length and engine power and a table of fees can be accessed here.

• Laying on Hard
Vessels may also lie on the Hard by arrangement with the Harbour Office. Fees for vessels up to 16’ 6” are £5 per day or part thereof. For vessels over 16’ 6” the fee is £7 per day or part thereof.

• Maps
Brightlingsea Town Centre maps are available both here and from the Harbour Office.

For those of you wishing to explore the area on foot, Ordnance Survey maps of the local area are available at the Harbour Office in return for a £10.00 refundable deposit. This is particularly useful for those wishing to use the Ferry to explore Point Clear or East Mersea.

• Marina
Both resident and visitor berths are available at Waterside Marina, which is managed by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners. For prices and further information please visit the Marina page.

• Museum
Brightlingsea Museum is located in Duke Street in the Town Centre. For further information, including opening times please call 01206 303286.

• Scrubbing Posts
The scrubbing posts located on the Town Hard are available for use by both visitors and residents by prior arrangement with the Harbour Office. Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis at the Harbour Office and are charged at £12.00 per day or part thereof for all craft.

• Sewage Pump Out System
Brightlingsea Harbour has a sewage holding tank pump out system available for boat users. It is a pontoon mounted system and can be used by arrangement with the Harbour staff. Please speak to a member of Harbour staff or contact the Harbour Office for more details.

• Showers
Showers are available for visitor use at the Colne Yacht Club. A key to the facilities can be obtained from the Harbour Office when the club is closed.

• Supermarkets/Food Shops
There are several supermarket and convenience stores in the town including Tesco Extra, Co-op and Spar. Slightly further out of the town centre is another supermarket, Fiveways, adjacent to a petrol filling station. There are also butchers, bakers, fishmongers, a chemist and newsagents. Usual opening times in the town are 9am – 5.30pm with some shops closing at 1pm on Thursday afternoons.

•Tides
For tide times please check the Tide Tables for Brightlingsea available here.

•Tourist Information
The Harbour Office accommodates a small Tourist Information service and can provide information on a wide range of topics, including local transport, accommodation, local facilities and much more. Literature is also available on tourist attractions both locally and further afield for those looking for something to do during their stay.

•Town Centre
Brightlingsea has a small Town Centre with a variety of independent shops within walking distance of the Harbour. The Town Guide, containing a map of Brightlingsea showing the main shopping area is available from the Harbour Office.

• Town Hard
The Town Hard, whilst owned by Brightlingsea Town Council, is managed by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners. Boats may lay on the Hard for a small fee. The schedule of fees for laying on the Hard can be accessed here.

• Trains
The nearest station to Brightlingsea is at Alresford, although a more regular service is available from Wivenhoe. Trains from here travel to London Liverpool Street via Colchester and Chelmsford. Trains also run from here to Clacton on Sea.

• Useful Phone Numbers
Brightlingsea Museum 01206 303286
Brightlingsea Sports Centre 01206 304946
Brightlingsea Swimming Pool 01206 303067
Brightlingsea Town Council 01206 303535
Colchester Hospital 01206 747474
Colne Yacht Club 01206 302954
Dentist 01206 305080
Doctors surgery 01206 302522
Ferry Mobile 07981 450169
Harbour Office 01206 302200
Harbour Mobile 07952 734814
Library 01206 302399
Local Police 01255 221312
Optician 01206 302249
Post Office 01206 302600
Rail Enquiries 08457 484950
Tendring District Council 01255 686868
Boots Pharmacy 01206 302039

• Water Taxi
As there is no direct access from the moorings to the land, Harbour users may choose either to use their own dinghy/tender or to use the Water Taxi service.
The Water Taxi service is provided by Ray Eggleton from the beginning of April until the end of October at weekends and on a daily basis during school holidays. The timetable shows the hours it runs. Ray can be contacted on VHF channel 37/M1 or on mobile 07986 122672.
When the Water Taxi is not running, Harbour staff provide a service during working hours and can be contacted on VHF channel 68 or via the Harbour Office on 01206 302200. Out of hours access to the shore from the pontoons is by private tender only.

• Weather
A daily weather forecast, recorded each morning is provided by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners on 0844 499 2681. This gives the current weather, 24 hour forecast, visibility, wind speed and direction. It also gives any weather warnings and tide times for the day. The weather forecast for the current day, including tide times, is also displayed on a board on the front wall of the Harbour Office.
There is also a weather station located within the Harbour which sends current data to this website and can be accessed from the Home page