Sea lock from above, captured by Aerial Essex

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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…

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  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
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Number of results:

Number of results: 583

, currently showing 41 to 60.

  1. Address

    Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NN

    Great Totham

    This fascinating walk explores the myriad of lanes and footpaths encircling the villages of Great Totham and Wickham Bishops, and in springtime provides the perfect opportunity to see Maldon District’s most spectacular display of bluebells in Shut…

  2. Address

    Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7US

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The Dengie National Nature Reserve is a large and remote area of tidal mudflat and saltmarsh between the Blackwater and Crouch Estuaries near Bradwell-on-Sea.

  3. Address

    Fish Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AX

    Telephone

    01621 788145

    Goldhanger

    Goldhanger Sailing Club

  4. Address

    Fambridge Yacht Haven, North Fambridge, CM3 6LR

    Telephone

    07729 840898

    North Fambridge

    Cruise Essex runs trips from Fambridge Yacht Haven on board Limoncello, a stylish Sealine F43 Cruiser capable of holding six guests in comfort. The vessel explores the River Crouch, and options include an afternoon tea cruise lasting around two and…

  5. Address

    Units 7 & 8, Station Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8RW

    Telephone

    01621 782874

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Let’s Go Bonkers is East Essex’s most exciting and professionally designed premier indoor children’s soft play studio, featuring two uniquely designed multilevel play studios, which has something for everyone.

  6. Address

    17 Edwards Walk, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    01621 851863

    Maldon

    Aesthetics

  7. Address

    Heybridge Cemetery, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, CM9 4QR

    Heybridge

    Heybridge War Memorial is a Grade II Listed memorial made from creamy Portland limestone and stands just inside the gates to the cemetery. Approximately 3m high, it is in the form of a cross with a stone relief sword on the front and an octagonal…

  8. Address

    St Stephen's Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    Cold Norton

    A small church situated on the edge of the village of Cold Norton.

  9. Address

    Great Totham Road, Wickham Bishops, Witham, CM8 3NP

    Telephone

    01621 893025

    Wickham Bishops

    Large car park, changing rooms, pavilion, cricket pitch, two football pitches, four tennis courts, youth shelter, basketball net, public open space and nature area.

  10. Address

    40 Chapel Rd, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8JA

    Telephone

    01621 852259

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Burnham's Roman Catholic church of St Cuthbert was built in 1911 in the Early English style in red brick, comprised a small, aisle-less nave and chancel.

  11. Address

    Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

    Telephone

    07768 086248

    Maldon

    We are a friendly bunch of people who take seriously our responsibility to seek first the Kingdom of God.

  12. Address

    167 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 842963

    Maldon

    First Stop Supermarket is a well-stocked convenience store with an array of genuinely fresh vegetables, fruit and generous bunches of herbs, as well as all the everyday grocery and household essentials. The store also has an off-licence and is open…

  13. Address

    East Hall Farm, East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PN

    Telephone

    01621 776564

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Othona is an open and inclusive Community rooted in the Christian tradition and drawing on a wealth of other inspirations.

  14. Address

    Tollesbury Road, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon, CM9 8UB

    Telephone

    07483 325853

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    This is a large open site on the edge of the village with views to the south towards the Blackwater Estuary. There is an outdoor gym consisting of twelve exercise stations including a cross trainer, leg press and sit up bench.

  15. Address

    2-6 Devonshire Road, Burnham, CM0 8BH

    Telephone

    01621 784378

    Burnham

    Hardware and homeware shop selling a wide range of decorating supplies, including Dulux paint, along with all kinds of items for the home and garden.

  16. Address

    Burnham Marina, Foundry Lane, Burnham, Essex, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    07704 060482

    Burnham

    Burnham Ferry is the sole authorised ferry between Essex Marina, Wallasea Island and Burnham-on-Crouch. The Ferry runs 6 days a week from 1 April or Good Friday (whichever is the earlier) to the end of September. We are closed on Mondays, except for…

  17. Address

    East End Road/High Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PY

    Telephone

    01621 779620

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Grade II Listed church dating from the 14th century, with the parish War Memorial inside and Commonwealth War Graves and a Roll of Honour memorial in its grounds. The church has a medieval timber porch, parish cage and peal of bells.

  18. Address

    Church Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NP

    Great Totham

    Arguably one of the most idilic settings in the district, this beautiful Grade II listed chuch sits a short walk from Great Totham, next to the site of Great Totham Hall. The grounds are intersected by several footpaths giving access to South Wood,…

  19. Address

    Vicarage Lane , Tillingham , Southminster, CM0 7TW

    Telephone

    01621 779584

    Tillingham

    Car park, public toilets, football pitch, cricket pitch, bowls club, sports pavilion, enclosed children's play site and youth shelter.

  20. Address

    Fambridge Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6NB

    Telephone

    01621 828244

    North Fambridge

    Facilities include a car park, football pitch, children's play site, and basketball net. Visitors should take care on leaving the site as visibility is restricted.

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.