Luggage locks Locks on the River Thames
The River Thames falls 234 feet from Lechlade to Sea Level. Over the centuries the flow of water and the danger of flooding has been controlled by a series of Weirs on the River Thames. Weirs, however, presented an obstacle to navigation and to solve this problem Locks on the Thames were built alongside the weirs enabling boats to be moved easily up to the next higher level.
Locks were often built adjacent to islands and so are often situated in remote locations. Those close to main roads and towns tended to become magnets for spectators, while others are very difficut to find. When the motive power was provided by horses, a towpath was needed on the bank side. This towpath has formed the basis for the Thames Path.
There are 45 locks on the Thames. In upstream to downstream order, from source to sea, they are:
- St John’s Lock — the highest lock on the river
- Buscot Lock
- Grafton Lock
- Radcot Lock
- Rushey Lock
- Shifford Lock
- Northmoor Lock
- Pinkhill Lock
- Eynsham Lock
- King’s Lock
- Godstow Lock
- Osney Lock
- Iffley Lock
- Sandford Lock
- Abingdon Lock
- Culham Lock
- Clifton Lock
- Day’s Lock
- Benson Lock
- Cleeve Lock
- Goring Lock
- Whitchurch Lock
- Mapledurham Lock
- Caversham Lock
- Sonning Lock
- Shiplake Lock
- Marsh Lock
- Hambleden Lock
- Hurley Lock
- Temple Lock
- Marlow Lock
- Cookham Lock
- Boulter’s Lock
- Bray Lock
- Boveney Lock
- Romney Lock
- Old Windsor Lock
- Bell Weir Lock
- Penton Hook Lock
- Chertsey Lock
- Shepperton Lock
- Sunbury Lock
- Molesey Lock
- Teddington Lock — the last lock before the river becomes tidal
- Richmond Lock — on the tidal Thames. Owned and operated by the Port of London Authority
Additionally, Blake’s Lock is located on a reach of the River Kennet that is administered as part of the River Thames, and is often counted as a Thames Lock.
All the locks on the Thames (including Blake’s Lock) are manned and, except for Richmond Lock, are owned and operated by the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency still has the two responsibilities of managing the flow of water to control flooding, and providing for navigation.