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 241 to 260.

  1. 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.

  2. 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…

  3. Address

    Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RJ

    Telephone

    07950 636 660

    Heybridge Basin

    The little church building behind the bus shelter in Heybridge Basin began life during World War 1, as an Armstrong Hut, used as the Sergeants’ Mess hut on Goldhanger Airfield. This airfield was first used as a night landing ground by the Royal…

  4. Address

    The Lock House, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RY

    Telephone

    +44 (0)7712 079764

    Heybridge Basin

    This 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.

  5. 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…

  6. Address

    Tiptree Road, Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EE

    Telephone

    01621 892821

    Great Braxted

    This attractive hilltop site, surrounded by hedges and mature oak trees, offers views towards Witham and the central Essex plain and is now the site of a new playground. Play equipment includes imaginative and accessible play equipment, including…

  7. Address

    Woodrolfe Hard, Tollesbury, Maldon, CM9 8SE

    Telephone

    01621 869039

    Tollesbury

    Woodup Pool open-air lido is a tidal salt water amenity pool with an area of sand at one end. Children should be supervised at all times as there are no lifeguards in attendance. During the summer months a portable toilet is provided.

  8. Address

    The Museum, Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HW

    Telephone

    01621 782184

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Discover the story of Burnham and the Dengie from the Bronze Age to today. Explore its fascinating maritime and social heritage through the artefacts and records of people’s lives.

  9. Address

    Bradwell Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7QY

    Telephone

    01621 776256

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Get on the water with Essex Outdoors and experience a day out with a difference on board a high speed RIB powerboat on the River Blackwater Estuary. Whether you want to learn the ropes and try your hand at helming or simply sit back, relax and enjoy…

  10. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    01621 857368

    Heybridge

    Welcome to Chigborough Fisheries, we are a 53 acre complex of lakes catering for both Trout and Coarse Anglers situated just 40 Miles from London.

  11. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    Heybridge

    Rowing and Pedalo hire for days out in the summer on the picturesque lake at Chigborough Fisheries. Life jackets must be worn at all times on board.

  12. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    07718135276

    Maldon

    From Friday 5 May. Enjoy a fun new fitness class for new mums at Maldon's beautiful Promenade Park with outdoor Buggy Bootcamp. Begin your postnatal fitness journey in a fun, friendly atmosphere with other mums and babies/toddlers. Classes taught by…

  13. Address

    132 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    01621 782026

    Burnham

    Friendly, modern unisex hair salon that has bright young employees, a friendly atmosphere and good prices.

  14. Address

    23 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PE

    Telephone

    01621854968

    Maldon

    Welcome to Maldon Books, an award-winning independent bookshop located in the heart of Maldon, Essex. We’re a family-run bookshop, nestled in at the top of the high street with a beautiful view of All Saint’s Church. We stock a wide range of titles…

  15. Address

    48 The Street, Heybridge, CM9 4NB

    Heybridge

    Popular off-licence and convenience store with a wide range of products, including vegan and vegetarian, fair trade, whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen foods and household essentials. The alcohol selection includes an…

  16. 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…

  17. Address

    Various locations:, Burnham Yacht Harbour in Foundry Lane, Belvedere Road and Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8BL

    Belvedere Road and Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch

    If you walk around Burnham-on-Crouch look out for the three large buoys that now decorate the street scene. These historic buoys were once out in the water of the Crouch estuary, helping to guide ships safetly home, but when they were replaced at…

  18. 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.

  19. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Heybridge

    An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a variety of habitats including willow carr, open water, small ponds and marshy areas, rough grassland, and willow and hawthorn scrub.

  20. Address

    Church Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

    Telephone

    01621 857191

    Maldon

    St. Mary's Church is known locally as the Fisherman's Church as its tower guides sailors and their craft into the Hythe Quay. The existing building dates from 1130, but archaeological evidence suggests that it used to be the site of a Saxon church.

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.