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To Pictures of Sanford Mill
To Pictures of Cuton Lock
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To Pictures of Rushes Lock
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To Pictures of Beeleigh Lock
To Pictures of Maldon
To Pictures of Sea Lock at Haybridge

Introduction

The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation is Essex's only major artificial navigation and runs from Heybridge Basin near Maldon to Chelmsford. It follows the route of the Chelmer River from Chelmsford to near Haybridge then joins an artificial cut to Heybridge Sea Lock and enters the Blackwater Estuary.

The navigation was authorised in an Act of Parliament in 1793 and took four years to build. The principle engineer was John Rennie (1761 - 1821) who was also building the Lancaster and Kennet & Avon Canals at the same time. The day to day running of the construction was left to Richard Coates who had previously worked with Rennie on other canals in East Anglia

The navigation is just under 14 miles long and has eleven 60 foot (18.28m) long by 16 foot (1.94m) wide locks plus a sea lock at Heybridge which is longer.

The navigation between Chelmsford and Maldon is very rural and if you want to visit any of the local villages whilst boating look forward to a walk of at least half a mile.

The adjacent map shows the navigation from Chelmsford. Click on any section for more detail and pictures.

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