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…

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  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…

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  5. The World War Two Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park, beginning close to the boating…

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  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…

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Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 441 to 459.

  1. Address

    Springfield Rd, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8TE

    Telephone

    01621 784383

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Members of the Essex Senior Football League.

  2. Address

    Bakersfield car park, The Drive, Maylandsea, CM3 6GT

    Maylandsea

    3 miles. Explore a tucked-away nature reserve that's famous for its butterflies and take in the lovely views from the seawall of Lawling Creek, with its yachts, barges and birdlife.

  3. 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…

  4. 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…

  5. Address

    St Leonard's Church, Station Rd, Southminster, Essex, CM10 7EW

    Telephone

    01621 772300

    Southminster

    Southminster War Memorial is a 2.4m obelisk in the grounds of St Leonard's Church, bearing the names of 75 casualties of war.

  6. Address

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

    Telephone

    07701365122

    Maldon

    Every Tuesday. Walking netball is just what it says - netball, like you remember from school, but walking. No running, jumping or leaping allowed!

  7. Address

    Tolleshunt D'Arcy Road, Tolleshunt Major, Maldon, CM9 8LN

    Telephone

    01621 860265

    Tolleshunt Major

    An attractive site on the edge of the village with areas of long grass, hedgerows and mature oak trees. Car park, football pitch, 5 a side goals, basketball hoop, children's play site, dog walk area, teen shelter and seating.

  8. 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.

  9. 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…

  10. 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…

  11. Address

    High House Farm, Old Heath Road, Althorne, CM3 6EW

    Telephone

    07736 276262

    Althorne

    The Althorne Estate is a new vineyard that was planted in 2017 in Althorne. There are five acres of vines producing Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

  12. 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…

  13. Address

    Goldhanger Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RA

    Telephone

    01621 874745

    Maldon

    Millbeach Marine Club

  14. Address

    2 High Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8RG

    Telephone

    01621 868684

    Tollesbury

    Convenience store selling groceries, confectionery, cards, wines and spirits, newspapers and more. Includes the Post Office, National Lottery and Cashpoint.

  15. Address

    Katonia Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AD

    Mayland

    This is a large, well equipped recreation ground with good access for cars and pedestrians.

  16. Address

    Plume Academy, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    0333 006 8331

    Maldon

    Welcome to MAN v FAT Maldon. Please feel free to sign up and your MAN v FAT coach will be in touch when a space in the league becomes available. You may qualify for a funded space if you have a BMI of 27.5+ and live in a participating postcode area…

  17. 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.

  18. Address

    2 East Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QD

    Tollesbury

    WhimbrelArt in Tollesbury is a gallery specialising in the work of local artists and craftspeople, along with special occasion gifts and jewellery. Work is exhibited by artists including local watercolour painters Mike Lang and Jonathan Smith, mixed…

  19. Address

    South Street, Bradwell-On-Sea, Southminster, CM0 7QJ

    Telephone

    01621 773183

    Bradwell-On-Sea

    Attractive site, surrounded by hedgerows and with a number of mature oak trees. Village hall, car park, enclosed children's play area, basketball net, football pitch, picnic benches, youth shelter, BMX skills ramp.

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.