Suzi M

Suzi M is a Thames barge moored permanently near Maldon, one of Essex's most evocative waterside towns. She's a working example of the flat-bottomed sailing vessels that once dominated the east coast trade routes - all dark timber, weathered canvas, and the sort of honest craftsmanship you don't see built new anymore.

The barge sits in the water where you can see her properly, which beats looking at something in a museum case. You get a real sense of how these boats were engineered to work the shallow Essex estuaries, their shallow draft letting them reach places deep-keeled ships couldn't touch. It's the kind of thing that grabs anyone interested in maritime history, traditional boats, or just how people made their living on these waters for centuries.

Walking the Maldon waterfront itself is pleasant enough - the town centre sits just back from the river, full of independent shops and decent pubs. If you're staying at Mill Beach or Osea Leisure Park just down the road, Suzi M makes an easy walk as part of a broader afternoon exploring what Maldon's got. Steeple Bay, further out towards the coast, is another option if you want a slightly quieter base.

The visit costs nothing - she's visible from the waterfront path. Allow twenty minutes to stand and look properly, longer if you're the type to photograph every detail. Go when the tide's up for the best view. It's not a theme park attraction, but if you're drawn to Essex's working maritime heritage, it's absolutely worth the wander.