• Accomodation in Brightlingsea
Brightlingsea Motel Bed & Breakfast
Tel: +44(0)1206 306611
Paxton Dene Bed & Breakfast
Tel: +44(0)1206 304560
Baytrees Bed & Breakfast
Tel: +44(0)1206 305293
Whitewebbs Bed & Breakfast
Tel: +44(0)1206 302308
Ye Olde Swan Bed & Breakfast Tel: +44(0)1206 302024

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

•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 and Fiveways Supermarket in the Town Centre.

• Car Hire
Car hire is available from Trace Auto Services in Brightlingsea. Cars can be booked from half a day, vans per day.
Tel: +44(0)1206 302525.

• Car Parking
There are several pay and 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.

• Colne Yacht Club
The Colne Yacht Club welcomes boat visitors.
Waterside, Brightlingsea, Essex, CO7 0AX
Tel: +44(0)1206 302954.
www.colneyachtclub.org.uk

• Ferry
The Foot Ferry runs from Easter to the end of October from Brightlingsea to Point Clear and East Mersea. During quiet periods Harbour Trips may also be available. Please see the Ferry page for more information.

• 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. Launching fees relate to boat length and engine power and a table of fees can be accessed here.

• Map Hire
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.

• 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. Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis at the Harbour Office or Hard Hut 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 town is another supermarket, Fiveways, adjacent to a petrol filling station. There also butchers, bakers, chemist and newsagents. Usual opening times in the town are 9am – 5.30pm with some shop closing at 1pm on Thursday afternoons.

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

•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 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.
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
Harbour Office +44(0)1206 302200
Harbour Mobile +44(0)7952 734814
Ferry Mobile +44(0)7981 450169
Colne Yacht Club +44(0)1206 302954
Local Police +44(0)1206 302515
Doctors surgery +44(0)1206 302522
Brightlingsea Town Council +44(0)1206 303535
Victoria Pharmacy +44(0)1206 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 Jon Brett from the start of April until the end of October at weekends and on a daily basis during school holidays. The timetable shows the hours it runs. Jon can be contacted on VHF channel 37/M1 or on mobile +44(0)7733 078503.

When the Water Taxi is not running, Brightlingsea Harbour staff provide a service during working hours and can be contacted on VHF channel 68 or via the Harbour Office on +44(0)1206 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 +44(0)844 499 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.