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…

    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
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Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

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    Telephone

    01621 785779

    Burnham

    Family run unisex hair salon with a freshly refurbished interior.

  2. Address

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    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Southminster

    Orchard Meadows consists of five adjoining meadows, each surrounded by hedges. The central meadow contains the remains of an old orchard with apple, pear, plum and walnut trees.

  3. Address

    Church Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QJ

    Telephone

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    Tollesbury

    St Mary the Virgin is a beautiful Grade II* Listed church in the village of Tollesbury. The nave and part of the tower date back to the 11th century and incorporate reused Roman bricks and tiles. Inside there is an interesting font and brass and the…

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    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…

  5. Address

    Heybridge Approach, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4PS

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Heybridge

    Consists of meadow, rank vegetation, scrub trees, wet ditches and open water. A man-made lake and island make up about one third of the site. Facilities include all weather paths and a number of seats near the lake.

  6. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 786688

    Burnham

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  7. Address

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

    Telephone

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    60A Victoria Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HF

    Telephone

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    Blue House Farm Nature Reserve car park, Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

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    3.1 miles. This walk has a bit of everything – the river Crouch, boats galore, an historic pub and farmland. All within the confines of the village of North Fambridge. Enjoy a walk along the seawall, with houseboats, barges and commercial river…

  10. Address

    Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PN

    Telephone

    01621 828343

    Purleigh

    New Hall Vineyard is an English Wine Producer with around 50 hectares of vines and is one of the oldest and largest in the country. Wine tasting and purchasing is available in the shop and a self-guided walk is open to explore the vines. Regular…

  11. Address

    High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 851553

    Maldon

    This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.

  12. Address

    East St, Tollesbury, Maldon, CM9 8QD

    Telephone

    01621 869230

    Tollesbury

    Tollesbury Congregational Church has served the village since 1803.

  13. Address

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

    Maldon

    Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (with some honest laughs to round it out).

  14. Address

    St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    07955 383364

    Cold Norton

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  15. Address

    1 High Street, Burnham, CM0 8AG

    Telephone

    01621 784993

    Burnham

    Branded women's fashion, including high-fashion evening dresses, daywear and leisure wear from Miau by Clara Rotescu. Also gifts and accessories, kids' fashion, men's accessories, scented candles and more.

  16. Address

    Totham Plains, The Street, Little Totham, CM9 8JQ

    Little Totham

    Little Totham's moving modern war memorial was only built in 2019 and commemorates Private Ernest Albert Belcher who died in 1917 and Private Charles Chaplin who died in 1920. The memorial, next to the village sign, comprises three steel Tommy…

  17. Address

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    Telephone

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    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.

  18. 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…

  19. Address

    Burnham, CM0 8SY

    Telephone

    07821 176161

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  20. Address

    40 High Street, Burnham, CM0 8AA

    Telephone

    01621 782161

    Burnham


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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.