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. 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…

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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: 459

, currently showing 81 to 100.

  1. Address

    9a High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    01621 927337

    Maldon

    Beautiful bespoke and ready made jewellery hand made on the premises by an award-winning goldsmith and designer, including engagement and wedding rings, bridal jewellery and jewellery repairs and alterations.

  2. 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.

  3. Address

    Outside All Saints Church, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

    Maldon

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  4. Address

    Cherry Blossom Lane, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6JQ

    Telephone

    01621 829566

    Cold Norton

    Well equipped and maintained site in a pleasant setting with views to the north west towards the Blackwater estuary. Village hall, car park, football pitch, basketball court, skateboard ramps, childrens play site, wildflower meadow & copse.

  5. Address

    Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PW

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The St Peter’s Way is a 45 mile walk meandering through the countryside of Essex, from Chipping Ongar to the ancient chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell on Sea.

  6. Address

    The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8EZ

    Tolleshunt Knights

    The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist is an Orthodox monastic community composed of nuns and monks of various nationalities. The monastery was founded by Sophrony Sakharov, later canonised as Saint Sophrony. The calm…

  7. 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…

  8. Address

    North Fambridge Station, Station Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6NP

    North Fambridge

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 6.7 miles. This is a beautiful linear walk along the River Crouch, using the train service to return to the start. The expansive views of the river and landscape are breathtaking. On the map, follow the "short cut"…

  9. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Maldon

    For well over a thousand years Hythe Quay has been the home to Maldon's maritime community and the gateway to Maldon for vessels arriving from the sea. From the award winning Promenade Park to the pubs, restaurants and shops of Maldon High Street,…

  10. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 776564

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Othona Community is an open and inclusive Christian Community offering a choice of themed activities and courses throughout the year, including survival skills, wellbeing and art.

  11. 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.

  12. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    07701365122

    Maldon

    Every Tuesday. Walking netball is just what it says - netball, like you remember from school, but walking. No running, jumping or leaping allowed!

  13. Address

    Maldon

    The Blackwater Triathlon club has been established for over 25 years, we are a small friendly club based in Maldon, Essex.

    We have an established membership covering all age groups within Triathlon ranging from the Junior club tri starts all the…

  14. Address

    Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    North Fambridge

    Blue House Farm was bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 1998 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and many other donors.

  15. Address

    Scarr Cottage, Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SB

    Telephone

    01621 828903

    Stow Maries

    Martin's Lane Vineyard specializes in the production of only the finest quality and ripest grapes to produce the very best in English wines.

  16. Address

    The Street, Little Totham, Maldon, CM9 8JG

    Telephone

    01621 891363

    Little Totham

    This large site is registered common land. It is mainly rough grassland with some areas of blackthorn scrub.

  17. Address

    Sea-Change Sailing Trust, Downs Road Boatyard, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HG

    Telephone

    01621840982

    Maldon

    Sea-Change provides residential opportunities for young people and vulnerable adults to learn and develop in a unique environment. By living and working together aboard a traditional sailing vessel they participate in a wide range of life skills and…

  18. Address

    Station Rd, Southminster, Essex, CM10 7EW

    Telephone

    01621 772300

    Southminster

    Parts of this historic parish church are nearly 1000 years old, dating back to about 1100 AD. In modern times it has become a vibrant community church hosting a number of activities such as concerts and art displays.

  19. Address

    Vicarage Lane, Mundon, Essex, CM9 6PA

    Mundon

    The church of St. Mary in Mundon is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches and it is now conserved as a Grade 1 listed medieval church. After a major programme of restoration and repair it is once again open to the public daily.

  20. Address

    Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8HF

    Tolleshunt Knights

    This 12th century Grade II* Listed church is now owned by the nearby Orthodox Monastery of St John the Baptist. The churchyard has two Commonwealth War Graves.

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.