General Enquiries: 07590 637 233

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Meeting Locations:

*Leigh Marina: High Street, Old Leigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ES. Please wait outside the large white gates; a member of our team will meet you there. Do not enter the marina without our team.

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*Cockle Wharf: Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ER. You will see my blue “MEETING POINT” sign outside the No 1 Cockleshed Restaurant on the Cockle Beach. Please meet us there. *Do NOT go to Leigh Marina if your itinerary specifies Cockle Wharf.

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We will confirm your specific meeting point on your boat itinerary.

Maunsell Forts Boat Trip

Leigh On Sea to Knock John Fort, Shivering Sands Forts, Red Sands Maunsell Forts (Including: Southend Pier, Mulberry Harbour, Shoebury Boom before crossing the shipping channel towards the Isle Of Sheppey then onto SS Richard Montgomery Ship in Sheerness).

Duration

8 hours

Boat

Starfish

Passengers

Up to 10

Cost

£700.00

Cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £120.00 per person. Minimum hire charge of £700.00 applies.

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About the trip

Embark on an unforgettable Maunsell Forts boat trip and journey from Leigh-on-Sea into a vital piece of British history. These eerie, alien-like structures stand as silent sentinels in the Thames Estuary, offering a surreal sight and a direct link to the Second World War. For anyone fascinated by history or seeking a truly unique maritime adventure, this tour is an absolute must.

Our trip transports you back to a time when these armed towers were built to defend the United Kingdom from air raids. You will get the chance to see these incredible monuments up close and take plenty of photos from unique angles. Because our vessel is small and maneuverable, we can safely pass between and under the towering structures, giving you a perspective few have ever seen. Please note, for preservation and safety reasons, you cannot board the forts.

What to Expect on Your Maunsell Forts Tour

Your Maunsell Forts tour is more than just a boat ride; it’s a comprehensive historical experience. The journey from the shoreline to the first structure, the Knock John Fort, takes approximately two hours. During this time, you can enjoy the fresh sea air and anticipate the moment the forts first appear on the horizon.

We begin our adventure in Leigh-on-Sea, passing several other points of interest along the way. First, we cruise past the world-famous Southend Pier and the historic Mulberry Harbour. We then view the Shoebury Boom before crossing the main shipping channel towards the Isle of Sheppey. In addition, we will visit the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery near Sheerness on our way back from the main attraction.

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The Forts: Knock John, Shivering Sands & Red Sands

The highlight of the Maunsell Forts boat trip is, without a doubt, seeing the three separate forts. Each has its own story and unique design. We will visit:

Knock John Fort: A solitary naval fort that stands as a stark and imposing figure against the sky.
Shivering Sands Forts: An army fort complex that once housed over 100 personnel during the war.
Red Sands Maunsell Forts: Perhaps the most iconic and best-preserved group, connected by precarious metal walkways.

These forts were an incredible feat of engineering, designed to protect the crucial shipping lanes of the Thames.

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If you’re ready for an epic day out, this is the trip for you. We provide a safe, intimate, and informative tour that brings history to life. 

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Food & Drink

Top up with water, on the water!
Keeping hydrated at sea is important.

We are offering an afternoon Tea at £18.00 per person from Sara’s Tea Garden in Old Leigh.

You can also bring your own food & drink but ALL food & drink must be consumed outside on deck & not in the wheelhouse.

There are no cooking facilities onboard.

Alcohol is allowed in moderation.

If you would like more information or want to arrange the afternoon tea, please contact us.

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FAQs

The tides in Leigh on Sea do not wait for anybody. The time on your booking is very carefully calculated and is the time we must meet to depart for your trip. If you do find yourself running late or stuck in traffic, please notify us immediately. We will then make the judgement if we will still be able to depart, however any time missed cannot be added to the end of your trip and you will lose that time.

The 50% deposit paid to secure your trip is non-refundable. If we cannot find a suitable alternative date to accommodate your trip, we will offer you the 50% balance you paid as a refund. You will not get the non-refundable deposit back, this can only be used towards another trip.

Our passengers safety is our main priority and if for any reason the weather is too dangerous to go out in, your trip will be cancelled. We will give you as much notice as possible and the weather is checked in the days leading up to each trip. The non-refundable deposit and any balance paid will then be used towards re-booking your trip. Once at sea, if we have to turn back due to bad weather we cannot offer a refund for this as this is out of our hands and your safety is key.

There is no minimum age as long as all children are accompanied by a responsible adult and are on their best behaviour!

Our trips are tide dependant but we are able to go out on most days, its just up to you to get in touch with a date and we will try our very best to accommodate you!

Yes! All of our trips are tailor made and the routes we take depend on what you would like to see on your trip (time and tide dependant). If you have any ideas in mind, please let us know when requesting your booking so we can tell you if they are achievable.

Yes of course, as long as all rubbish is taken with you when you depart, feel free to bring your own food and drink on board. We have no cooking facilities. Plenty of water is also recommended.

We are happy for you to bring your furry friends onboard, however dogs must remain on the deck, they are not allowed inside in the wheelhouse. Please also ensure any mess is cleaned up.

Layering is key for our trips! It can be significantly colder at sea so always ensure you have a coat with you. The majority of your trip will be spent outside on deck so waterproofs are a good choice as it is possible the spray will get you wet when onboard. In the summer months, always wear a hat and ensure you have suntan lotion with you. There is no shelter for shade on deck so please ensure you have taken this into consideration when deciding what to wear.

Sensible footwear is a must onboard our boats! Trainers/deck shoes are a good idea – we suggest you leave your high heels at home!

No, unfortunately not. Although we do offer seal spotting trips, this cannot be guaranteed (although we do see them a lot!) and we accept no responsibility if you are not successful in sighting any. 

Alcohol is allowed, but only in moderation. The boat will turn back to shore if there are any overly intoxicated passengers onboard who are causing disruption to the trip, but please do feel free to bring a glass or two to enjoy yourselves! 

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Maunsell Forts Boat Trip

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Preferred Dates
Factors like tides, other confirmed bookings and the weather may mean that your preferred date and time may not be available. We will, however, endeavour to do our very best to accommodate your preferences.

Meeting Point

Leigh Marina: High Street, Old Leigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ES. Please wait outside the large white gates; a member of our team will meet you there. Do not enter the marina without our team.

Cockle Wharf: Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ER. You will see my blue “MEETING POINT” sign outside the No 1 Cockleshed Restaurant on the Cockle Beach. Please meet us there. *Do NOT go to Leigh Marina if your itinerary specifies Cockle Wharf.

We will confirm your specific meeting point on your boat itinerary.