Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-13-1000x667.jpg" alt="Paper Mill Island Lodge" class="wp-image-22640" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-13.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You can&#8217;t get more picturesque than a stay at <a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Island Lodge</a>. Why? You overlook the banks of the River Chelmer, that&#8217;s why. The halfway point on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation – part river, part canal – it&#8217;s the perfect place to switch off, watching canal boats navigate through the lock gate while ducks and swans strut (OK, swim their stuff). Plus being envious of those paddle boarders&#8217; cores as they propel through the water. While you sit on your private deck with a glass of fizz (well you&#8217;re here to switch off now, aren&#8217;t you?). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/3-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="Paper Mill Locks" class="wp-image-22641" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/3-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/3-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/3-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/3-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/8-1000x667.jpg" alt="Accommodation Paper Mill Island Lodge Little Baddow Essex" class="wp-image-22642" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As a clean freak, the first thing I do on any review is hunt for any dirt or grime (Virgo alert; I just can&#8217;t help myself). There was absolutely nothing: the inside of Paper Mill Island Lodge is seriously spick and span. As it&#8217;s also dog friendly and dogs aren&#8217;t my thing (fellow crazy cat ladies raise your hands) I was also pleased not to find any sort of doggie &#8216;odour&#8217; that fur baby parents are nose blind to. Again, absolutely nothing. Me likey a lot.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Welcome hamper" class="wp-image-22643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The owners have also gone out of their way to make a stay here properly relaxing, with cute touches like local books to read. There&#8217;s also WiFi to post many a smug Insta story about where you&#8217;re staying, plus a welcome hamper with water, butter, milk, bread, Essex-produced crisps and local magazines. Nice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-stay">THE STAY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/9-1000x667.jpg" alt="Bedroom Paper Mill Island Lodge" class="wp-image-22644" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Island L</a><a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/index.php">odge</a>&#8216;s the perfect size for two to four adults (kids quite rightly aren&#8217;t allowed due to it being surrounded by water). There&#8217;s a double bedroom with en-suite shower room, and open kitchen/living/dining space with sofa bed, table and chairs. Staying in winter? There&#8217;s central heating. Staying during the warmer months? Open the windows and enjoy a cool breeze, or the patio doors that lead to an enclosed decking area looking over the river.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-13-1000x667.jpg" alt="Paper Mill Island Mooring" class="wp-image-22645" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-13.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>That&#8217;s right: your own private enclosed decking area that&#8217;s very impressive in size. You&#8217;ve also your own river access leading to your own mooring, ideal for fishing or launching that paddle board and working on that core. As it was once a water mill it&#8217;s also cool to see where the mill wheel once was, and that&#8217;s before you read up on its history. Back in 1589 it was a corn and fulling – cleansing of wool weaved cloth – mill. That&#8217;s 435 years ago if my sums are correct.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/14-1000x667.jpg" alt="Paper Mill Lock Tea Rooms" class="wp-image-22646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/14-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/14.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Being self catering we enjoyed our first night eating al fresco to peace and quiet (no kids allowed, remember). The next day was spent doing absolutely nothing (bliss), before our tummies reminded us it had gone midday. A big lunch was in order before a stroll along the water, so we headed to <a href="https://www.papermilllock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Lock Tearooms</a> – a 30 second walk away – for a toasted sarnie, caffeine hit and huge slab of cake (carrot and walnut for me, lemon drizzle for him). Plus a cheeky ice cream from The Saffron Ice Cream Company. I&#8217;m aware that&#8217;s a sugar overload. But come on now, just look at it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/13-1000x667.jpg" alt="Saffron Ice Cream Company" class="wp-image-22647" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/13.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s also plenty of other restaurants and pubs nearby so you (or my hubby in this instance) don&#8217;t have to cook. <a href="https://www.thegeneralsarms.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Olio at The Generals Arms</a> offers set lunch and evening menus as well as Sunday roasts; but we chose dishes from their main line-up: antipasti, starters, pasta, risotto, meats, veggie options and more. You&#8217;re also a 15 min drive to <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-windmill-chatham-green-chelmsford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Windmill Chatham Green</a>, an award-winning restaurant and pub – also dog friendly – run by Michelin Star chef Tom and his partner Nancy. Do not – I repeat not – miss the chance to dine here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/12-1000x667.jpg" alt="River Chelmer" class="wp-image-22650" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/12.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We decided to enjoy a long walk along the towpath which follows the river from one end to the other. There&#8217;s also lots of footpaths either side of the valley to explore, plus it&#8217;s great for cyclists. Fancy donning your skipper’s cap? It&#8217;s a 14 miler from Chelmsford to the sea at Heybridge Basin and Maldon. Or book a boat trip with <a href="https://essexwaterways.com/boat-trips" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Waterways</a> – they&#8217;re based at the lock just a stone&#8217;s throw away (don&#8217;t take that literally; we don&#8217;t want a paddle boarder falling off for any fault other than their own). Speaking of paddleboarding, you can also hire these as well as canoes or kayaks during summer – just make sure you get the right licence&nbsp;<a href="https://essexwaterways.com/licences">here</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/15-1000x667.jpg" alt="Paddle boarding River Chelmer" class="wp-image-22649" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/15.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Speaking of summer, Paper Mill Island also has a yoga instructor on hand from June to Aug for outside sessions among the willow trees or overlooking the river. All that plus weekly wellness classes including pilates, gong sound baths and breathwork with mediation.&nbsp;All classes are £12pp, apart from the Gong Sound Bath that&#8217;s £24pp, and you need to bring your own mat or blanket, water and suitable clothing. We missed out on the start of their <a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/assets/pdf/Wellbeing%20Class%20Timetable.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer Wellbeing Timetable</a> by just 10 days, but you&#8217;ve still plenty to do to up the heart rate, stretch those limbs or relax, whatever time of year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>Prices for a minimum two night stay at <a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Island Lodge</a> vary, according to midweek and weekend stays as well as the season. For more information and to book <a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/contact.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/11-1000x667.jpg" alt="Paper Miss Island Lodge" class="wp-image-22651" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/11.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> anyone looking to seriously relax. We have to concur with previous guests who wrote in the guest book; &#8220;We&#8217;ve never been to such a magical place&#8221; and; &#8220;100% satisfaction&#8221;.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> those who want a one night break: it&#8217;s a min 48 hour stay. If we&#8217;re being really picky the freezer drawer can&#8217;t handle more than an ice cube tray and bag of frozen peas. See – told you we were being really picky.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Island Lodge</a>, Hatfield Road, Little Baddow, Essex CM3 4BT. Call&nbsp;<a href="tel:03454986900">0345 498 6900</a> or email <a href="stay@papermillisland.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stay@papermillisland.co.uk</a></em></p>


Review: Paper Mill Island Lodge, Little Baddow

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