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 141 to 160.

  1. Address

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    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…

  2. Address

    Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

    Heybridge Basin

    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…

  3. Address

    Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6EZ

    Telephone

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  4. Address

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    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Small site accessible on foot from Hester Place or The Pippins.
    Enclosed children's play site, kickabout area, basketball net, wildlife area.

  5. 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…

  6. Address

    Burnham Road, Summerhill, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BX

    Telephone

    01621 744825

    Althorne

    Large recreation ground with adjacent wooded area. Car park, hall, two football pitches, tennis court, children's play eqpt.

  7. Address

    Fullbridge, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4NX

    Telephone

    07591 023715

    Heybridge

    Part of the site is accessible via a boardwalk from the footpath leading to the bridge over the canal at the far end of Tesco car park. Visitors should not leave this boardwalk as the site contains areas of deep water.

  8. Address

    Totham Plains, The Street, Little Totham, CM9 8JQ

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  9. Address

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    Telephone

    01245 380216

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  10. Address

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    Telephone

    01621 840870

    Maldon

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  11. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    Heybridge

    The Chigborough Maze is located next to the campsite and is available for guests to use. It can be hired exclusively for events between October and May.

  12. Address

    Althorne, Essex, CM9 6DG

    Althorne

    A pleasant 5.02 mile circular walk around the village of Althorne. The walk includes a short stretch along the River Crouch before turning inland through the fields and over the railway line before arriving in Althorne.

  13. Address

    Mayland Hill, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6DZ

    Telephone

    01621 742596

    Mayland

    St Barnabas Church is located a short drive away from the residential area of the village with spectacular views of the neighbouring farms and fields. The church is nestled in a well kept churchyard with six Commonwealth War Graves, and many…

  14. 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.

  15. Address

    Springfield Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8UA

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    This park is comprised of mown grassland with a large number of mature trees of different species and a play park.

  16. Address

    Colchester Road, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4AL

    Telephone

    01621 852471

    Heybridge

    Located near to the centre of Heybridge, this site has good access from the surrounding area. Large car park, modern hall, enclosed children's play site and football pitch.Also know locally as the 'Planny' after Plantation Hall.

  17. Address

    The Cookery School at Braxted Park, Braxted Park Estate, Great Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EN

    Telephone

    01621 890300

    Great Braxted

    The Cookery School at Braxted Park, based in Essex, combines a stunning location with award-winning chefs and a diverse range of courses to suit all abilities.

  18. Address

    Madison Heights, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 850222

    Maldon

    Monkey Puzzle is holding a monthly play session during term times for children with additional needs (SEND). The sessions are closed to the general public, allowing a safe and comfortable play session for children with disabilities and their…

  19. Address

    The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8EZ

    Tolleshunt Knights

    The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist is an Orthodox monastic community composed of nuns and monks of various nationalities. The monastery was founded by Sophrony Sakharov, later canonised as Saint Sophrony. The calm…

  20. 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…

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.