- Buscot Lock
Infobox Waterlock
lock_name = Buscot Lock [ [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Environment Agency "A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II"] ]
caption=
waterway =River Thames
county =Oxfordshire
maint =Environment Agency
operation= Manual
first = 1790
latest =
length = 109’ 10” (33.47m)
width = 14’ 8” (4.47m)
fall = 6’ 6” (1.69m)
sealevel =230'
enda =Teddington Lock
distenda =122 miles
endb =
distendb =
map_cue=
map_
map_text=
map_width=
coordinates=
lat=
long=
extra=Buscot Lock is a lock on the
River Thames in England, near the village ofBuscot ,Oxfordshire .The lock was built of stone by the
Thames Navigation Commission in 1790 and is the smallest on the River Thames. It still has its heavy wooden beams which the lock keeper uses to open and close the gates.The new weir was created in 1979 when a cut was made through fields on the southern side of the lock. This is an unusual cresting weir which creates a lovely weir pool and is now a National Trust picnic area. The weir was previously on the northern side of the lock. The area is rich in flora and fauna, and a frequent haunt for otters, kites and kingfishers.
History
Before the construction of the lock a
flash lock was in place at Buscot weir to "help" navigation. When the lock was built the weir was owned by E Loveden ofBuscot Park , who was a very strong champion of Thames navigation. The pound lock was built by J. Nock who also built St John's Lock at the same time after the opening of theThames and Severn Canal . [Fred. S. Thacker "The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs" 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles] At first it was often alluded to as the "New Lock". The lock keeper's cottage was built in 1791 and features a fish house. The old weir was renewed by Lord Faringdon of Buscot Park in 1909, and was replaced by the new cut and weir in 1979.Reach above the lock
The river winds and doubles back on itself sharply on the short stretch upstream. Buscot Park is above the lock. Robert Tertius Campbell who bought it in 1859 built a factory to distill alcohol from sugar beet. He supplied water to his estate from the river via a set of water wheels, but closed the undertaking in 1879. The property is now owned by the National Trust. Upstream,
Bloomers Hole Footbridge crosses the river, then theRiver Cole enters from the southern bank, theRiver Leach enters from the northern bank, and finally St John's Bridge marks the beginning of St John's Lock.The
Thames Path follows the northern bank from Buscot Lock to Bloomers Hole Footbridge, where it crosses the river.See also
*
Lechlade-on-Thames
*Locks on the River Thames References
External links
* [http://www.riverthames.co.uk/about_thames/3691.htm Buscot Lock] at riverthames.co.uk
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/274327 Picture of Buscot Lock] at geograph.co.uk
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
