The Thames Sailing Barge Match, the second oldest organised sailing race in the world, will start around 8.00am from Mucking No.3 Buoy, just outside the Nature Discovery Centre.

As there will be such a fantastic view from the centre, we have decided to open from 7.30am so that you can enjoy your morning cuppa or some breakfast on our rooftop viewing area or from the panoramic windows in our cafe area whilst watching these historic vessels assemble and start their race along the estuary.

They will head downriver past Southend-on-Sea to North Oaze Buoy before returning to a finishing point at Gravesend, having completed 43 nautical miles, later that afternoon (approx 3pm).

Photo credit: Thames Sailing Barge

Report by Sandy Miller