Caversham Lock

Caversham Lock[1] Caversham lock looking downstream Waterway River Thames County Berkshire Maintained by Environment Agency Operation Hydraulic First built 1778 Latest built 1875 Length 131’ 4” (40.03m) Width 17’ 11” (5.46m) Fall 4’ 9” (1.44m) Above sea level 120' Distance to Teddington Lock 55 miles Geographical Data Coordinates 51°27′39″N 0°57′51″W / 51.4607°N 0.9641°W / 51.4607; -0.9641Coordinates: 51°27′39″N 0°57′51″W / 51.4607°N 0.9641°W / 51.4607; -0.9641 [v · d · e]Caversham Lock Legend River Thames Mapledurham Lock and weir Mapledurham Mill island marina island Poplar Island Appletree Eyot St Mary's Island Caversham Bridge Pipers Island Fry's Island Reading Bridge Reading railway station Caversham Lock & weir moorings weir Heron Island bridge River Thames

Caversham Lock is a lock and weir situated on the River Thames in England at Reading, Berkshire. The lock is connected to De Bohun Island, a somewhat larger than normal lock island. The original lock was built by the Thames Navigation Commissioners in 1778.

The weir is almost parallel to the lock and carries a footbridge across the river.

The island contains a typical lock-keeper's house, and until recently there was also a boat yard and boat house used by the Environment Agency's river patrol and maintenance services. As of November 2007^[update], proposals to redevelop the island and some adjoining land are under discussion.

History

Caversham Weir in 1903

A weir, mill, ferry and flash lock on the site were referenced in 1493 when granted to Notley Abbey. The pound lock opened in 1778, but the lock house, long promised, was not built until after 1819. In 1871 Reading Corporation planned to build a swingbridge over the lock cut upstream of the lock, but this was not implemented. The lock was rebuilt in 1875.^[2]

Access to and across the lock

The lock is not far from Reading railway station and is easily accessible from the centre of Reading.

The lock can also be reached from the Lower Caversham area of the cross-river suburb of Caversham via the weir and island, which provides a pedestrian route to the centre of Reading.

Reach above the lock

Soon after the lock is Reading Bridge followed by Fry's Island in the middle of the river. The built up part of Reading continues on the southern side to Caversham Bridge, to which is attached Pipers Island. The northern bank passes through the suburb of Caversham, where St Mary's Island is close to the bank.Reading Amateur Regatta is held annually in June between St Mary's Island and Caversham Bridge. Reading Festival is held on August Bank Holiday at Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue near Caversham Bridge. During the festival a temporary structure, Reading Festival Bridge, links the site with parking and camping areas on the open meadows on the north bank. Here the Chiltern Hills can be seen in the background.

View as the river turns north by Tilehurst and Purley

On the south bank, after the open space, is Tilehurst, where the river turns north with the two islands of Appletree Eyot and Poplar Island in the centre of the river. The railway runs parallel to the river for some way on a high brick embankment, and further upstream on the southern bank is Purley-on-Thames. On the northern bank Mapledurham House comes into view as the river continues northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.

The Thames Path follows the southern bank to Mapledurham lock.

Sports clubs

• Reading Rowing Club
• Reading Canoe Club
• Reading University Boat Club

See also

UK Waterways portal

• Locks on the River Thames
• Crossings of the River Thames
• Islands in the River Thames

References

1. ^ Statistics from Environment Agency A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II
2. ^ Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles

External links

• Official Thames site
• Caversham Life, Living and Community

Next lock upstream	River Thames	Next lock downstream
Mapledurham Lock (4.4 miles (7.08 km))	Caversham Lock Grid reference: SU718740	Sonning Lock (2.63 miles (4.23 km))
Next crossing upstream	River Thames	Next crossing downstream
Reading Bridge	Caversham Lock Grid reference: SU718740	Sonning Bridge & Sonning Backwater Bridges
Next island upstream	River Thames	Next island downstream
Fry's Island	De Bohun Island Grid reference: SU718740	View Island