Maldon stands on relatively high ground for Essex. Its strategic position overlooking the River Blackwater was an important consideration for the earliest of settlers. It continues to be a popular place to live and attracts many tourists, who come to see its historic buildings, and Thames sailing barges as well as to enjoy the pleasures of Promenade Park and the surrounding countryside. To the north of Maldon is Heybridge, formerly known as 'Tid's town'. The coming of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation also established the distinctive Heybridge Basin, now one of the most picturesque maritime havens on the East Coast. This book charts the pictorial evolution of Maldon and Heybridge over the past 200 or so years.