Sea lock from above, captured by Aerial Essex

Book Tickets Online

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 101 to 120.

  1. Address

    130 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    07957708493

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Beautiful nail art for every occasion, along with a range of other aesthetic treatments and training in nail techniques.

  2. Address

    The High Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QN

    Telephone

    01621 776274

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The shop is owned and run by members of the Bradwell-on-Sea community and stocks a wide range of products including fresh bread baked by Golden Platter of Mayland, The Secret Butcher meat and cheese (from Burnham), local honey, fresh organic produce…

  3. 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).

  4. Address

    Grapnells Farm, Creeksea Ferry Road, Rochford, Essex, SS4 2HD

    Telephone

    01268 498620

    Rochford

    RSPB Wallasea Island Wild Coast project is a landmark conservation and engineering scheme for the 21st century, on a scale never before attempted in the UK and the largest of its type in Europe.

  5. Address

    Fowler Bros Ltd, Brook Farm, Marsh Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8NA

    Telephone

    01621 782759

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Butcher’s shop selling local beef/lamb/pork. BBQ packs and the speciality Burnham banger.

  6. Address

    Garden Fields, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Telephone

    01621 868352

    Steeple

    This site consists of a large area of grass surrounded by hedges. Football pitch, unfenced children's play site and basketball net

  7. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 854095

    Maldon

    Pirates Bay is an exciting 19 hole adventure Golf Course offering loads of fun for all ages.

  8. Address

    Telephone

    07704 607 964

    East of England Paddlesports is a community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying getting out on the water around Essex and surrounding areas. The group organises trips and events, offers tuition and has a buy and sell group for equipment…

  9. Address

    Unit 3B, Bentalls Shopping Centre, Colchester Road, Maldon, CM9 4GD

    Telephone

    01621 850590

    Maldon

    The new Heybridge General Store and Post Office also offers stationery, books, news and magazines, essentials, snacks and an off-licence,

  10. Address

    Elizabeth Way, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4TG

    Telephone

    01621 852471

    Heybridge

    A small children's play area accessible from Elizabeth Way and the Elms Farm development.

  11. Address

    Burnham Baptist Church, Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HJ

    Telephone

    07887321610

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Community dance and yoga studio serving the community of Burnham-on-Crouch and the surrounding area.

  12. Address

    Butt Lane Car Park, Butt Lane, Maldon, CM9 5HD

    Maldon

    The historic town centre of Maldon has had a street market since medieval times, and the tradition is rejuvenated with the launch of a new outdoor market.

    The market is weekly at Butt Lane car park on Thursday mornings,featuring artisan,…

  13. Address

    Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 784535

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Creeksea Place is a 16th century fairytale Tudor Mansion set in beautiful gardens. The house with its captivating façade and tranquil surroundings is steeped in history.

  14. Address

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

    Telephone

    07519 743121

    Burnham-on-Crouch

  15. Address

    47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX

    Telephone

    07973 559981

    Maldon

    The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this compact museum. Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, the exhibits are wide ranging. The replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which…

  16. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 6GG

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Maldon

    This 15 acre reserve consists of 1.5 miles of the former Maldon-Woodham Ferrers railway line, most of it on embankment. The area includes as small nature reserve with large pond

  17. Address

    Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

    Telephone

    01621 855058

    Maldon

    Brent has been a much loved local landmark for over 40 years. It is the last surviving steam tug of the Port of London Authority’s fleet. Full restoration is planned for this unique vessel.

  18. Address

    West Station Yard, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6TW

    Telephone

    01621 843713

    Maldon

    The Mighty Oak Brewing Co Ltd was founded in Essex in 1996 before finding a home in Maldon five years later.

  19. Address

    Behind Park Drive Health Club, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5UR

    Telephone

    07469 883385

    Maldon

    Padel Tennis is like a cross between tennis and squash. It’s usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mash. The court is one third of the size of a tennis court. The ball can bounce of any wall but can…

  20. Address

    St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    01621 829566

    Cold Norton

    Small wooded area with a pond in St Stephens Road. Picnic table and access for walking. Nearby lay by has parking for 2 cars.

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.