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
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Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 41 to 60.

  1. 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…

  2. Address

    99 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HR

    Telephone

    01621 778537

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Offering the opportunity to play bowls in Burnham-on-Crouch, Burnham Hillside Bowls Club welcomes applications from new members to join.

  3. Address

    Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BY

    Althorne

    St Andrew's is a Grade II listed building with a tower dating back to around 1500, although it is in need of restoration and funds are being raised. It has a modern church hall available for hire.

  4. Address

    St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    07955 383364

    Cold Norton

    Scooty Wooty's is a small riding establishment that offers horse riding lessons, pony riding , stable management, own a pony sessions and children's parties.

  5. 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…

  6. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, CM9 5JQ

    The Twinning Link sculpture was placed in Promenade Park in 1991 to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the twinning of Maldon with Cuijk in The Netherlands. In the shape of giant intertwined links, the 1.5m high cast iron sculpture was designed by…

  7. Address

    52 Prince of Wales Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8PX

    Telephone

    01621 893085

    Great Totham

    Totham Barn Chapel Evangelical Free Church is a grade II listed building. It has a small but active fellowship and regular meetings.

  8. Address

    Meet infront of Park Drive Health Club, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5UR

    Maldon

    Monday mornings. Do you fancy a gentle walk and a chat? Adele Bovingdon has launched Walk & Talk which meets outside Park Drive Health Club next to Maldon Promenade Park every Monday at 10:25am. Rain or shine, the group will take a two-mile stroll…

  9. 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.

  10. Address

    Cherry Blossom Lane, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6JQ

    Telephone

    01621 829566

    Cold Norton

    Well equipped and maintained site in a pleasant setting with views to the north west towards the Blackwater estuary. Village hall, car park, football pitch, basketball court, skateboard ramps, childrens play site, wildflower meadow & copse.

  11. Address

    Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SJ

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Stow Maries

    This 5.5 acre reserve consists of the former Stow Maries Halt on the disused Maldon to South Woodham Ferrers railway line, along with an adjoining four-acre meadow acquired later.

  12. Address

    16 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PJ

    Maldon

    Anvil & Ivy makes contemporary jewellery on the premises, with a focus on soft organic form and texture and the finiest materials and gemstones. The collection includes wedding and engagement rings and bridal jewellery, along with gifts and…

  13. Address

    9-10 King George's Place, 122 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BZ

    Maldon

    Costcutter convenience store with everyday essentials, frozen food, pet food, confectionary and off-lience. Also home to the Post Office with a full range of counter services including Vehicle Tax, international Driving Permits, MoneyGram, document…

  14. Address

    Park Lane, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, CM9 8HB

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Tolleshunt Knights

    This Essex Wildlife Trust site consists of two flower-rich meadows surrounded by dense, mature hedgerows and is renowned for the annual display of large numbers of green winged orchids and adders tongue fern.

  15. Address

    School Road, Wickham Bishops, Essex, CM8 3NU

    Telephone

    0345 6037628

    Wickham Bishops

    Saturdays. A Saturday club for 8-13 year olds to explore and enjoy coding through the creation of animation and games. ​​​​​​​Computer available but you can bring your own laptop if you have one.

  16. Address

    16 King's Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PN

    Maldon

    Welcome to LunaBlue Interiors, a place for quirky home decor and upcycled furniture! All products are hand made, hand painted and made with love. We are passionate about inspiring customers to be creative with your interiors and therefore all…

  17. Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch station, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 5.5 miles. This superb linear riverside walk starts from Burnham-on-Crouch railway station, taking you westward to Althorne where you can take a train to return.

  18. Address

    The Sail Loft, Buckingham Square, The Quay, Burnham, CM0 8AS

    Telephone

    01621 786413

    The Quay, Burnham

    The company is 15 years old and was started by one of the partners as a marine safety company providing safety management at huge sailing events including youth sailing nationals, round the world yacht race starts, yacht events such as the Little…

  19. Address

    River Blackwater, West Mersea

    Telephone

    07938 273739

    West Mersea

    Estuary Rib Tours is a family run business that provides boat trips starting from Mersea Island to enjoy the Blackwater Estuary, often stopping for lunch in Bradwell-on-Sea. The tours are on our 8m Cobra Rib, ‘Hi Fizz’, which carries up to 8 guests…

  20. Address

    Southfield Way, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7RE

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Southminster

    Orchard Meadows consists of five adjoining meadows, each surrounded by hedges. The central meadow contains the remains of an old orchard with apple, pear, plum and walnut trees.

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.