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

    0.02 miles away
  2. Now moored permanently in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat…

    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. 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
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 583

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Ulting Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QB

    Maldon

    Rickett's Lock and Gates is a Grade II listed site serving watercraft travelling along the River Chelmer, between Chelmsford and Maldon.

    The site was first listed by Historic England in November 1985, and was constructed in around 1797 by engineer…

  2. Address

    Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

    Heybridge Basin

    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…

  3. Address

    52 Prince of Wales Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8PX

    Telephone

    01621 893085

    Great Totham

    Totham Barn Chapel Evangelical Free Church is a grade II listed building. It has a small but active fellowship and regular meetings.

  4. Address

    70a High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 855520

    Maldon

    W H Smith Ltd provides for all your stationery, art and school resources needs, along with newspapers and magazines, snacks, cards and a newly refurbished book department.

  5. Address

    6-8 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8BG

    Telephone

    01621 786140

    Burnham

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

  6. Address

    Common Lane, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6NF

    Woodham Walter

    This site is part of a large network of nature reserves that make up the Danbury Ridge Complex. Woodham Walter Common is mainly secondary woodland with a few open areas where heather grows.

  7. Address

    Unit F Wenlock Way, Maldon, CM9 5AD

    Maldon

    Luxury home fragrances and scented products made on the premises in Maldon by Rachel Holland. The range includes diffusers, scented candles, wax melts, fragranced hand washes and lotions, room sprays, car diffusers and floor fragrance. Special…

  8. Address

    134 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BX

    Maldon

    Style your wardrobe with the latest women's fashion trends, plus nightwear, accessories and shoes at this boutique shop.

  9. 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…

  10. 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…

  11. Address

    Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QG

    Telephone

    01621 784898

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Extensive working railway museum including locomotives, carriages, wagons, historic buildings, memorabilia and a major collection of signalling equipment. Much of the collection is under cover. Train rides are available every open day.

  12. Address

    1 South Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TR

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy

    A blue plaque marks D'Arcy House as the home of famous novelist Margery Allingham who wrote the Albert Campion detective stories.

  13. Address

    Woodstock Farm, St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    07534 228961

    Cold Norton

    Woodstock Farm is a working farm that also offers farm experience days, a petting farm and children's parties and events. At Woodstock Petting Farm, children can cuddle small animals, feed the larger animals and meet and groom the ponies.

  14. Address

    Hillside, Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4QL

    Maldon

    As you walk up or down Market Hill, among the many historic buildings is a collection of Listed townhouses opposite the Market Hill Garden, just below Cromwell Lane. Now elegant, private homes, these buildings were once a single institution,…

  15. Address

    Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN

    Woodham Mortimer

    Pretty St Margaret's Church dates from the 12th century, but the majority of the Grade II Listed building was reconstructed in the 19th century. Features include a 13th century font and an interesting graveyard with an impressive raised memorial to…

  16. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LR

    North Fambridge

    West Wick Yacht Club organizes both motor and sailing events including club racing, cruising, and social. Members receive a wide range of benefits including local chandler’s discounts, free racing, subsidised events and much more. To find out about…

  17. Address

    28 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PJ

    Telephone

    01621 856830

    Maldon

    Farleigh Hospice has two charity stores in Maldon. The High Street shop specialises in high-quality clothing, collectibles, antiques, bric-a-brac, gifts, crafts materials and much more. Donations by appointment only. 

  18. Address

    4 Mildmay House, Foundry Lane, Burnham, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    01621 785779

    Burnham

    Family run unisex hair salon with a freshly refurbished interior.

  19. Address

    7 Maldon Road, Great Totham, CM9 8PR

    Telephone

    01621 892721

    Great Totham

    Great Totham Stores & Post Offices is a general convenience store selling magazines and newspapers, greetings cards, off-licence, confectionery and food, including hot snacks, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks to take away. There is also a Post…

  20. Address

    Creeksea Place Barns, Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 786503

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Our modern fully air conditioned gym and spa has beautiful views of the field and river and offers members on-site parking, free wi-fi, toilets, showers, changing rooms and lockable storage.

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.