The delightful market town of Maldon is one of the oldest recorded towns in Essex and dates back to Saxon times. It received a Royal Charter in the 1100s which allowed the king to use the town’s port for his personal trading purposes. There is a copy of the charter in the Moot Hall. Maldon became home to the famous Maldon barges which ferried agricultural goods along the east coast to and from London. At their peak there could have been as many as 5,000 barges making the journey; a few can be seen on Hythe Quay. Due to its proximity to the Blackwater and Crouch river estuaries the surrounding countryside, which includes both saltwater marsh and farmland, is rich in wildlife. Maldon is well known amongst sailing enthusiasts and there are a number of marina’s in the area - including the main marina at Blackwater. The town is known internationally as the home of Maldon Sea Salt which is derived from the salt crystals from the salt marshes bordering the Blackwater river.