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. 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…

    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: 459

, currently showing 201 to 220.

  1. Address

    Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6HF

    Telephone

    07771 995460

    Latchingdon

    Relax in the beautiful surroundingd of Clayhill Vineyard. Take in the stunning views of the River Crouch & Valley while walking among the vines.

  2. Address

    Southfield Way, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7BB

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Southminster

    Seasons Wood consists mainly of hawthorn & blackthorn scrub. To the northern end of the site is a small area of grassland & a balancing pond.

  3. Address

    12 Station Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 786 503

    Burnham on Crouch

    What would you do if you were handed the keys to your own hotel for a night? Invite all your friends for a big dinner party, play the bartender, sip cocktails, snoop around the rooms, have the spa to yourselves… but here’s the catch… you’ve got to…

  4. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    Maldon Bowling Club is a friendly and progressive club situated near The Promenade in the Blackwater town of Maldon in Essex. We have a playing membership of approximately 70 with approximately 20 social & honorary members. Bowling abilities range…

  5. Address

    Paraphernalia, as its name suggests, stocks a wide variety of useful things! You will find sewing and crafting supplies, including card, knitting wool, haberdashery and thread, art and crafts for kids, storage, bakeware and household items, plus…

  6. 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).

  7. Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch Library, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.6 miles. This largely mud-free stroll follows an easy circuit of the riverside yachting centre giving visitors the opportunity to explore some lesser-visited parts of the town.

  8. Address

    Nipselss Chase, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6EH

    Telephone

    01621 743551

    Mayland

    Previously a dense blackthorn scrub that was completely inaccessible, this site has now been opened up in part with paths & a central glade. There are a number of picnic benches & an information board about the site & its abundant wildlife.

  9. Address

    Church Lane, Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SL

    Stow Maries

    The parish church of St Mary and St Margaret is Grade II* Listed. The church chancel was built in the 14th century and the nave in the 15th century. The churchyard has five Commonwealth War Graves.

  10. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 854095

    Maldon

    Pirates Bay is an exciting 19 hole adventure Golf Course offering loads of fun for all ages.

  11. Address

    12e West Station Yard, Maldon, CM9 6TW

    Telephone

    0203 39 77719

    Maldon

    Meatline is a family business with three shops, including the West Station Yard store in Maldon, selling to the public and trade customers. Meatline specialises in meat selection packs as well as a wide variety of items for the barbeque. Home…

  12. Address

    Poulton Close, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6GA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    An area of grassland featuring a birch copse and an allotment area. The allotment area is managed by Maldon Town Council who can be contacted on 01621 857373.

  13. Address

    Howe Green Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QA

    Telephone

    01245 320426

    Purleigh

    A large, well equipped site in a lovely setting on the edge of the village. Car park, sports pavilion (available for private hire), cricket pitch, football pitch, two croquet lawns, enclosed children's play area and basketball hoop.

  14. 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…

  15. Address

    5 High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AA

    Telephone

    01621 773198

    Southminster

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

  16. 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…

  17. Address

    107 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 859969

    Maldon

    Family run, independent jeweller in Maldon High Street, offering a wide selection of jewellery, suitable for all occasions and budgets. Dealing with some of the best designers in the UK and Europe we provide a varied collection of traditional and…

  18. Address

    Fambridge Road, Althorne, Nr Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6BZ

    Telephone

    01621 450450

    Althorne, Nr Chelmsford

    Come for our Fine Award winning wines and stay for the view! Crouch Ridge Vineyard overlooks the River Crouch, located in the beautiful village of Althorne. Visit us for Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea; Taste and Tour, Pair and Share.
    The Wine Barn has…

  19. 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…

  20. Address

    Princes Road, Maldon, CM9 5DL

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    Longfields is at the hub of a network of paths and cycleways joining Fambridge Road, Wantz Road and the High Street. Large grass area, enclosed play site, youth shelter, The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Avenue, car park.

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.