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…

    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…

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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
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Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 381 to 400.

  1. Address

    Hythe Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

    Maldon

    Maldon Gig Rowing Club has 2 Harker's Yard gigs and arrange club rowing, adventure rowing and race training to club members.

  2. Address

    1 Chandlers Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LF

    Telephone

    07801 364 135

    Maldon

    Marigold Charters offers sailing adventures on and around the river Blackwater. Their vessel Marigold is a Gravesend Bawley built upon the lines of the Lilliam in 1869.

  3. Address

    Keelings Road, Dengie, Essex, CM0 7UH

    Telephone

    01621 779620

    Dengie

    St James, Dengie is a small parish church serving the rural villages of Asheldham and Dengie. The Grade II listed church building dates back to the 14th century, but the Nave walls may be even earlier from Saxon times, and remains of Roman bricks…

  4. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    North Fambridge

    This 200 year old church is the only place of worship in North Fambridge.

  5. 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.

  6. Address

    Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

    Telephone

    0345 603 7624

    Maldon

    By appointment. Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five…

  7. Address

    Church Chase, Great Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EW

    Telephone

    01621 819557

    Great Braxted

    The medieval church features a Nave and Chancel from the 12th century and is situated within the 2,000-acre Braxted Park estate. The churchyard is home to the Commonwealth War Grave of Brigadier General Hubert John Du Cane.

  8. Address

    Ferry Road, Creeksea, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PQ

    Telephone

    01621 782282

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Superb 18 hole riverside course with stunning views over the River Crouch.

  9. 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.

  10. 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…

  11. Address

    Burnham Library, 103 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Come along to our Block Builders Construction Club and use your imagination to get creative.
    All work will be on display until the following session. Free event no need to book.

  12. Address

    Burnham Marina, Foundry Lane, Burnham, Essex, CM0 8BL

    Telephone

    07704 060482

    Burnham

    Burnham Ferry is the sole authorised ferry between Essex Marina, Wallasea Island and Burnham-on-Crouch. The Ferry runs 6 days a week from 1 April or Good Friday (whichever is the earlier) to the end of September. We are closed on Mondays, except for…

  13. 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…

  14. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 786243

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Templeman Galleries specializes in original pictures and also provides a bespoke picture framing service. The gallery stocks a large selection of unusual gifts, objects d’art and jewellery.

  15. Address

    63D Brights Path, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    07976 365472

    Maldon

    Katie's Therapies offers a way to manage stress and tension, putting clients more in control, to promote their wellbeing through massage, reflexology, far infrared light therapy and Reiki. Katie's massages can be a way to manage stress. All are…

  16. Address

    School Road, Wickham Bishops, Essex, CM8 3NU

    Telephone

    0345 6037628

    Wickham Bishops

    Mondays. Free your child’s imagination with songs and stories, give their early communication skills a boost and have fun together! Come along and join in with Baby and Toddler Rhymetime at Wickham Bishops Library

  17. 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…

  18. 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.

  19. Address

    2-6 Devonshire Road, Burnham, CM0 8BH

    Telephone

    01621 784378

    Burnham

    Hardware and homeware shop selling a wide range of decorating supplies, including Dulux paint, along with all kinds of items for the home and garden.

  20. Address

    Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    01621 783393

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Burnham-on-Crouch United Reformed Church (URC) has a modern building in Station Road and meets for worship on Sunday mornings at 10.30am as well as hosting a wide range of groups and events throughout the week, including youth clubs, children's…

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.