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
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. Address

    Heybridge Cemetery, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, CM9 4QR

    Heybridge

    Heybridge War Memorial is a Grade II Listed memorial made from creamy Portland limestone and stands just inside the gates to the cemetery. Approximately 3m high, it is in the form of a cross with a stone relief sword on the front and an octagonal…

  2. Address

    Millfields, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS

    Telephone

    07519 743121

    Burnham-on-Crouch

  3. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    The Deckchair Hut, operated by The Maldon Deckchair Company is offering deckchair hire at Promenade Park - sit in comfort to watch the children play, the barges sail by or simply soak up the sunshine or enjoy a picnic.

    Deckchairs have to be booked…

  4. Address

    Seaview Parade, End of North Drive, Maylandsea, Essex, CM3 6EL

    Telephone

    01621 740300

    Maylandsea

    Situated on Lawling Creek off the Blackwater Estuary the HBSC caters for dinghy and cruiser owners, racers and pleasure sailors, beginners and experts.

  5. Address

    Edwards Walk Shopping Arcade, 22 White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QP

    Telephone

    01621 488048

    Maldon

    Maldon Escape Rooms is suitable for families, groups, corporate team building, stag nights, hen nights and anyone wanting a good hour of fun solving puzzles against the clock. Can you escape our themed rooms in one hour or less?

  6. Address

    Birchwood Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PR

    Telephone

    01621 828231

    Purleigh

    Small and friendly yard catering for all riders whether novice or experienced, either riding for fun or working for exams. Fully licenced and five star.

  7. Address

    5 High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AA

    Telephone

    01621 773198

    Southminster

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

  8. Address

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

    Telephone

    07487547122

    Maldon

    The Maldon Promenade Zoo is home to over 70 species of animals when we are open (please note that some of our larger animals go home at the end of each day to our larger private farm located on the Dengie Peninsula).

  9. 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.

  10. Address

    Fambridge Yacht Haven, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    07840942483

    North Fambridge

    Cruise Essex runs trips from Fambridge Yacht Haven on board Limoncello, our high end Sealine F43 Cruiser capable of holding s10 guests in comfort. The vessel explores the River Crouch Valley, and options include an afternoon tea cruise lasting…

  11. Address

    Burnham, CM0 8SY

    Telephone

    07821 176161

    Burnham

    Burnham Cycling Club is a new, friendly club whose members enjoy all kinds of cycling, including road riding, mountain biking MTB, cyclocross, TT and racing. New members are welcome to join in friendly, non-competitive rides for all.

  12. Address

    The Street, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4NB

    Telephone

    01621 857004

    Heybridge

    A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century to its present condition. Seating for 200 including choir, with wheel chair access and hearing aid loop system.

  13. Address

    High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

    Burnham-on-Crouch

  14. Address

    Beeleigh, Langford, Essex, CM9 4SS

    Telephone

    01621 853212

    Langford

    Challenging tight parkland course set in picturesque countryside.

  15. 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.

  16. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension, which stretches out into the water (or the mud) and leads to a seating area at the end. There you can also see at close hand the statue of famous Saxon…

  17. 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.

  18. Address

    Braxted Lane, Great Totham, Maldon, CM9 8DD

    Telephone

    01621 891474

    Great Totham

    A pleasant, undulating site, approximately half woodland and half grassland with some large oak trees. Childrens play site, basketball net and kickabout area.

  19. Address

    Essex Marina, Wallsea Island, SS4 2HF

    Telephone

    07748 653900

    Wallsea Island

    Discovery Charters offers fishing and seal watching wildlife trips which leave from Essex Marina on Wallasea Island, from Burnham-on-Crouch and from Fambridge Yacht Harbour.

  20. Address

    Muslim Hall, Church St, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

    Telephone

    +447904659177

    Maldon

    Maldon Masjid – the Maldon District Islamic Cultural Association is set in a building that was once the Labour Hall. The mosque opened in 2005 and has been restored and transformed into a tranquil place for Muslim prayers. There is a separate…

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.