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. The Deckchair Hut, operated by The Maldon Deckchair Company is offering deckchair hire at…

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

    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 61 to 80.

  1. Address

    Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 784535

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Creeksea Place is a 16th century fairytale Tudor Mansion set in beautiful gardens. The house with its captivating façade and tranquil surroundings is steeped in history.

  2. 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…

  3. Address

    9-10 Mildmay House, Foundry Lane, Burnham, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    01621 786688

    Burnham

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  4. Address

    54 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

    Telephone

    01621 786243

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Templeman Galleries specializes in original pictures and also provides a bespoke picture framing service. The gallery stocks a large selection of unusual gifts, objects d’art and jewellery.

  5. Address

    153 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 927083

    Maldon

    Debs Hair Designs

  6. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RD

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Maldon

    An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a variety of habitats including Willow Carr, open water, small ponds and marshy areas, rough grassland, and willow and hawthorn scrub.

  7. Address

    5 High Street, Burnham, Essex, CM0 8AG

    Telephone

    01621 785339

    Burnham

    Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is dedicated to supporting people whose lives are touched by cancer. Our Support Centres in Essex and London are vital in helping people living with cancer. The centres offer a range of complementary therapies to…

  8. Address

    The Causeway, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 5FA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Heybridge

    Heybridge Creek is a channel that forms part of the flood relief scheme for the Heybridge area. The still, shallow water has led to the formation of a significant reedbed - in spring it is home to many breeding warblers.

  9. Address

    61A High Street, Burnham, CM0 8AH

    Telephone

    01621 782771

    Burnham

    Sofia’s Boutique opened in October2021 and is named after the daughter of owners Vas and Kalitsa Elia – Sofia Elia. The store aims to offer residents a range of high-quality items at affordable prices. It contains two rooms with racks of clothes…

  10. Address

    5A High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    07932 004932

    Maldon

    Women's hairdresser with great reviews, offering a full menu of ladies' hairdressing in a historic shop at the top of the High Street.

  11. Address

    27 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AG

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    High end stockist of quality vintage men's clothing, specialising in 1930s to 1950s Military and workwear, as well as Levi jeans and other quality pre-1980s mens fashion and clothing. The company has an extensive onliine offering as well as offering…

  12. Address

    151 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 781000

    Burnham

    Unisex hair salon offering a wide range of hair treatments.

  13. Address

    181-183 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 855539

    Maldon

    Vikki is a highly qualified dog groomer, who has also completed a canine first aid coarse and a micro- chipping coarse. Her passion for dogs has led her to other services such as nutrition therefore becoming a raw food adviser, because great skin…

  14. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    Heybridge

    The Chigborough Maze is located next to the campsite and is available for guests to use. It can be hired exclusively for events between October and May.

  15. Address

    Hackman's Lane, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6RN

    Telephone

    01245 329358

    Purleigh

    Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a unique place with a unique history. It is the largest known surviving group of RFC buildings on a WWI aerodrome which was not adapted for further military use later in its history.

  16. Address

    Bath Place Wharf, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5GU

    Telephone

    07597 094233

    Maldon

    Frangipani SUP is a friendly, family run Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board school based in Maldon, Essex. We operate in various locations in Essex including Maldon, Chelmsford and surrounding areas.

  17. Address

    Hester Place, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8SA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Small site accessible on foot from Hester Place or The Pippins.
    Enclosed children's play site, kickabout area, basketball net, wildlife area.

  18. Address

    39 High street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 853065

    Maldon

    Yours in Sport in Maldon High Street offers a wide range of clothing, footwear and equipment for a variety of sports, as well as school uniform for local primary schools and school sportswear. You will find everything you need to support a healthy…

  19. Address

    Daisy Meadow car park, Basin Road, Heybridge, CM9 4RW

    Heybridge

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 3.58 miles. A slightly longer stroll in the Walk it Local collection, but worth the effort, taking in bustling Heybridge Basin with its boats, sea-lock, water birds and pubs, the seawall with estuary views back…

  20. Address

    Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

    Goldhanger

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 8.3 miles. This long, circular walk combines farmland and seawall around the charming and historic village of Goldhanger, with its cottages, pubs and 11th century church.

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.