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…

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

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  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…

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

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  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: 580

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BY

    Althorne

    St Andrew's is a Grade II listed building with a tower dating back to around 1500, although it is in need of restoration and funds are being raised. It has a modern church hall available for hire.

  2. Address

    Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Steeple

    This attractive walk branches off St Peter’s Way, the long distance footpath, at the village of Steeple. It heads north to the Blackwater Estuary and follows the seawall anti-clockwise until it returns to the village.

  3. Address

    151 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    01621 781000

    Burnham

    Unisex hair salon offering a wide range of hair treatments.

  4. Address

    253 Mundon Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6PW

    Maldon

    MacTheatre - Maldon Actors Company was set up in 1995 by professional actors Barrie Jaimeson and Nicola Esson to raise awareness and status of the Arts in the Maldon District. We produce high quality theatre and Arts Events.

    The company became a…

  5. 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…

  6. Address

    Wycke Hill Business Park, Wycke Hill, Maldon, CM9 6TU

    Telephone

    0345 600 1795

    Maldon

    Pets at Home stocks all your pet care needs, whether it's for dogs and cats, small animals or fish, reptiles and birds. Helpful and well-trained staff can answer your queries and help you choose the right food and accessories for your pet.

  7. Address

    West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6YH

    Telephone

    0300 303 1555

    Maldon

    First Monday of the month. This group is a social get together for unpaid adult carers across the Maldon District. This group is also where carers can come along and speak to a experienced Carers Support Adviser to find out information, advice and…

  8. Address

    5 High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AA

    Telephone

    01621 773198

    Southminster

    Convenience store selling groceries, confectionery, cards, wines and spirits, newspapers and more.

  9. Address

    Church Hill, Purleigh, CM3 6QH

    Telephone

    01621 829600

    Purleigh

    Owned and run by local residents, Purleigh Community Shop offers convenience shopping, local produce and a social hub  in the heart of Purleigh. Produce includes fresh bread and cakes, locally produced meat, vegetables and fruit, wines,…

  10. Address

    1 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    020 8090 5048

    Maldon

    We have now opened our own unique gift shop on Maldon High Street, specialising in Star Wars as well as expanding our range to include iconic science fiction and fantasy from film, TV and gaming franchises. 

  11. Address

    All Saints' Church, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PY

    Maldon

    Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (mostly of the gruesome variety).

  12. Address

    St Peter’s Tower, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01621 851628

    Maldon

    The Maeldune Heritage Centre, set in the beautiful old St Peter's Church, is one of Maldon's most fascinating visitor attractions, mixing local history, temporary art and craft exhibitions, tourism information and the permanent home of the…

  13. Address

    57 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 731110

    Maldon

    Kate Lifestyle is a Maldon based beauty salon specialising in beauty, skincare, hair and nails. We offer a vast range of treatments including nail art, waxing, eyelash extensions and more. We provide top notch hair, beauty, nail art & gentlemen…

  14. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    This 100 year old Edwardian park encompasses an ornamental lake, a large water Splash Park, beach huts for hire, sandpits, a galleon play ship & aerial zip-wire & several picnic areas.

  15. 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.

  16. Address

    Spital Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EA

    Telephone

    01621 857373

    Maldon

    Remains of an ancient Leper Hospital said to have been founded in 1164 by Henry II.

  17. 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…

  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

    60 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    01621 785300

    Burnham

    At Jacaranda Flowers by Sam Adams, we love flowers and our designs are modern, contemporary, and full of creativity! Send flowers locally, we deliver our beautiful bouquets from our flower shop in Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex 5 days a week. Order…

  20. 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…

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.