Sea lock from above, captured by Aerial Essex

Book Tickets Online

About

Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the Blackwater Estuary and would once have enabled smaller boats to enter and exit the canal and travel around the coastline. Today it is can still be used by suitable vessels (when the tide is right), but only if the skipper has been trained by Essex Waterways and has a special key! Is a scenic spot to have a picnic or enjoy lunch in one of the nearby pubs.

Heybridge Basin Sea Lock was built as the eastern terminus for the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, and the village of Heybridge Basin grew up around it, as there was plenty of work unloading the ships into the barges that took supplies to Chelmsford. The Basin was built in 1796 and the canal opened on 3 June 1797 on land bought from the Dean & Chapter of St Paul’s.The bridges & locks were designed by the engineer, John Rennie FRSE (1761-1821) who was responsible for the design of many maritime buildings including lighthouses.

By the end of the 19th century the canal trade was in decline due to competition from the railways. Although the sea lock was enlarged to take European timber ships shortly after the World War 2, it could not halt the decline and finally commercial activity ceased in 1972. However, today the area is thriving with houseboats, pleasure boats and cruises along the navigation.

Guide Prices

Free

Facilities

Booking & Payment Details

  • Free Entry

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • Picnic site

Parking

  • Parking with charge - No street parking, use Daisy Meadow car park nearby

Map & Directions

Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Sea Lock

Type:Canal

Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

Opening Times

* At all times

What's Nearby

  1. Now moored permanently in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat…

    0.02 miles away
  2. This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county…

    0.02 miles away
  3. This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county…

    0.02 miles away
  1. The little church building behind the bus shelter in Heybridge Basin began life during…

    0.24 miles away
  2. Lying alongside the sea wall and to the north of the Heybridge Basin's built-up area is…

    0.29 miles away
  3. One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension,…

    0.48 miles away
  4. The small lake at Promenade Park is perfect for model boating, and is regularly used by…

    0.59 miles away
  5. The World War Two Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park, beginning close to the boating…

    0.63 miles away
  6. Maldon's Promenade Park Beach Huts are located in the valley, with the Splash Park and…

    0.7 miles away
  7. The Deckchair Hut, operated by The Maldon Deckchair Company is offering deckchair hire at…

    0.7 miles away
  8. Northey is an island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, connected to the mainland by a…

    0.7 miles away
  9. A large sports ground with associated sports pavilion and changing rooms. It is the home…

    0.74 miles away
  10. Welcome to Maldon Splash Park, Essex's favourite children's water park!

    Located in the…

    0.74 miles away
  11. The Maldon Promenade Zoo is home to over 70 species of animals when we are open (please…

    0.78 miles away
  12. The Twinning Link sculpture was placed in Promenade Park in 1991 to celebrate the 22nd…

    0.81 miles away
  13. Millenium Wood is an extension of Promenade Park & is a wildlife area consisting of…

    0.84 miles away
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 583

, currently showing 561 to 580.

  1. Address

    Wycke Hill, Maldon, CM9 6UZ

    Telephone

    01621 856453

    Maldon

    DIY and trade store selling building materials, gardening, decorating supplies and kitchen and bathroom showroom.

  2. Address

    160 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    07736 012091

    Burnham

    Unforgettables offers a range of balloons, cards and gifts plus balloon art including arches, columns and bouquets for those very special occasions

  3. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    Maldon Mosaic, which can be found close the sandy play area at the western end of the lake, was designed by Susan Mason and created with her friends at the Limebrook University of the Third Age to celebrate Maldon and the significant events of 2012,…

  4. Address

    Maypole Road, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3LX

    Telephone

    01621 892411

    Wickham Bishops

    Maypole Pet & Garden carries a wide range of pet food and accessories, including raw and natural dog food, treat pick and mix for canine friends, dog supplements, and toys and enrichment activities for pets. You will also find live fish, reptiles…

  5. Address

    Brickhouse Road, Tolleshunt Major, CM9 8JZ

    Telephone

    01621 815327

    Tolleshunt Major

    Daymens Hill Farm is home to around 4,000 apple and pear trees. The farm is open from early September until mid-October for pick-you-own PYO apples and pears, then the seasonal farm shop stays open at weekends until the end of March selling apples…

  6. Address

    Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FW

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    Maldon

    Tuesdays and Fridays. Free your child’s imagination with songs and stories, give their early communication skills a boost and have fun together! No need to book, just come along and join in the rhyme time fun.

  7. Address

    30 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PJ

    Telephone

    01621 927200

    Maldon

    Independent boutique selling women's fashion, lifestyle items and accessories, along with gifts, childrenswear and menswear.

  8. Address

    Springfield Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8UA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    This park is comprised of mown grassland with a large number of mature trees of different species and a play park.

  9. Address

    H Wenlock Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD

    Telephone

    01621 928075

    Maldon

    We are a small family run business based in Maldon, Essex. We first opened our doors in 2016 in a cabin in a little shopping village. We quickly grew and shortly later we moved to Maldon where we still are!

    Our aim is to provide beautiful clothing,…

  10. Address

    Burnham Road, Summerhill, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BX

    Telephone

    01621 744825

    Althorne

    Large recreation ground with adjacent wooded area. Car park, hall, two football pitches, tennis court, children's play eqpt.

  11. Address

    Church Road, Tolleshunt Major, Essex, CM9 8EH

    Tolleshunt Major

    Grade I Listed St Nicholas church dates from the 12th century and has expansive views from the churchyard, which also contains a Commonwealth War Grave.

  12. Address

    86 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    07989 744869

    Burnham

    Contemporary jewellery and craft gallery, showing the work of designer/makers from across the UK, in Burnham-on-Crouch. 

    Ceramics, jewellery, art prints, watercolour paintings and more. Bespoke jewellery and jewellery making classes available.

  13. Address

    Wick Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8LU

    Telephone

    01621 782128

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Adjoining the River Crouch, the farm offers a permissive access trail with information boards featuring details of ancient crop marks, salt extraction and wildlife. The circular route takes you through the farm returning via the sea wall.

  14. Address

    20 High Street, Burham, CM0 8AA

    Telephone

    07804 510374

    Burham

    Turkish barbershop offering a full range of hairdressing services for men and boys. No appointment required.

  15. Address

    The Lock House, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RY

    Telephone

    +44 (0)7712 079764

    Heybridge Basin

    This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.

  16. Address

    End of Main Road, St Lawrence, CM0 7NA

    St Lawrence

    St Lawrence Bay, also known as Stone, is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the Maldon District, and the broad sweep of shingle and sand is worth the effort to get to. If you travel by car you will need to park at Jubilee Field car park as you…

  17. Address

    Beeleigh Falls, Maldon Road, Beeleigh, Essex, CM9 6QA

    Beeleigh

    Beeleigh Falls is home to a series of water falls, locks and weirs on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

  18. Address

    76 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    0300 323 0403

    Maldon

    The RSPCA's Maldon charity shop has a good selection of adults and children's clothing, homeware, gifts, bric-a-brac and more. Donations and new volunteers are very welcome.

  19. Address

    Hackmans Lane, Purleigh, CM3 6RW

    Telephone

    07717 822598

    Purleigh

    Christmas shop with fresh Nordman Fir Christmas trees, decorations and festive essentials.

  20. Address

    85 East Street,, Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8SA

    Telephone

    01621 869217

    Tollesbury

    Eblex Quality Standard Beef and Lamb Butcher

Related

Albert Barge on the Chelmer & Blackwater CanalChelmer & Blackwater Navigation, MaldonThis waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.