The Blackwater Inn (EHER 38625)

Formerly the Queen's Head public house. An 18th, 19th and 20th century public house, now a house. At some time between 2000 and 2005, the building was converted to a dwelling. The 20th century extension has been removed and the front elevation has been plastered. The entrance platform which formerly extended to the width of the building has been reduced and is flanked by two flights of stairs comprising just four steps, leading to a central recessed round headed doorway. Summary from record 46140: Former public house, once contained a 17th century 'tap room'

February 1985. Grade II listed. An 18th, 19th and 20th century public house. The building is built of brick and part plastered and part weatherboarded. The roofs are covered in grey slate with three red brick chimney stacks. The 18th century main range is to the right (East) with a 19th century extension to the left (West) and extensive 20th century extensions to the rear (North). The front (South) elevation of the main range has three windows on the first floor, with a two-window range on the ground floor, the windows being either side of a central recessed round headed doorway. Two flights of five steps approach the doorway from the left and right, via a central entrance platform which extends the width of the front elevation and has cast iron stick balusters to rails. The building is at an important location at the road junction. It is joined to a timber framed cottage (EHER 38626) via a single storey range with window. <1> See photos <2>. At some time between 2000 and 2005, the building was converted to a dwelling. The 20th century rear extensions appear to have been removed, as has the single storey range joining the building to the cottage (EHER 38626). The car park has been converted to a part walled, part fenced garden. The timber framing has been removed from the front elevation and the whole building has been plastered. The entrance platform which formerly extended to the width of the building has been reduced and is flanked by two flights of stairs comprising just four steps. The front elevation also has a wall-mounted post box which may have been present when the building was listed. <3> <4> The building incorporates an earlier building on the West. At one time a small room known as the 'tap room' was said to be of the 17th century. This was known as the 'Maychester Arms' in the books by Samuel L. Bensusan. He lived in Mote Cottage (EHER 38633) out on the Maldon Road. The building is now a house. <5>