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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{stack begin}} {{stack begin}}
{{Infobox Waterlock {{Infobox Waterlock
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|first = 1790 |first = 1790
|latest = 1905 |latest = 1905
|length = {{convert|36.57|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" > {{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/135271.aspx |title=Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames |date=8 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=17 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref> |length = {{convert|36.57|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" >{{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/135271.aspx |title=Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames |date=8 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=17 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref>
|width = {{convert|5.71|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" /> |width = {{convert|5.71|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|fall = {{convert|1.89|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" /> |fall = {{convert|1.89|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
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}} }}
{{Abingdon Lock map}} {{Abingdon Lock map}}
] ]
{{stack end}} {{stack end}}


'''Abingdon Lock''' is a ] on the ] in England, less than 1 mile east and upstream of ], ] on the opposite bank of the river. It was originally built in 1790 by the ]. '''Abingdon Lock''' is a ] on the ] in England, less than 1 mile east and upstream of ], on the opposite bank of the river. It was originally built in 1790 by the ].


The weir runs across from the Abingdon side to the lock island, and has a pedestrian walkway across it. The weir runs across from the Abingdon side to the lock island, and has a pedestrian walkway across it.
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==History== ==History==
] ]
The navigation route in the vicinity of Abingdon has been subject to change over the centuries. The ] further to the east was the original course of the river Thames. The stream to the town was developed by the monks of ] and the original weir is reputed to have been built by them during the 10th century. A pound lock was built on the Swift Ditch by the ] in 1635 making it then the navigation route. In 1788 several citizens of Abingdon wanted to divert navigation back to the current course, possibly taking into account the ] which was to connect to the current navigation channel at Abingdon within ten years. As a result Abingdon Lock was built near the town and opened at the end of 1790. The lock-keeper's house was reported in 1811 to be half a mile downstream of the lock - probably at the abbey millhouse. <ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The navigation route in the vicinity of Abingdon has been subject to change over the centuries. The ] further to the east was the original course of the river Thames. The stream to the town was developed by the monks of ] and the original weir is reputed to have been built by them during the 10th century. A pound lock was built on the Swift Ditch by the ] in 1635 making it then the navigation route. In 1788 several citizens of Abingdon wanted to divert navigation back to the current course, possibly taking into account the ] which was to connect to the current navigation channel at Abingdon within ten years. As a result, Abingdon Lock was built near the town and opened at the end of 1790. The lock-keeper's house was reported in 1811 to be half a mile downstream of the lock - probably at the abbey millhouse.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>


==Access to the lock== ==Access to the lock==


The lock can be reached on a track heading north from ] on the ] side. Alternatively it is possible to walk along the river from the town through the abbey grounds and cross the weir. The lock can be reached on a track heading north from ] on the ] side. Alternatively it is possible to walk along the river from the town centre through Abbey Meadows and cross the weir.


==Reach above the lock== ==Reach above the lock==
] ]
Immediately above the weir towards the town is the channel cut by the monks of ] in the 10th century to provide navigation and mill water to the abbey itself. For the first few hundred yards the river has turned back on itself making the northern bank temporarily on the southern side. On this side of the lock is ] created by Swift Ditch. The first outflow is the site of the old lock, and the second channel is the original weir stream. Further upstream the ] (known as Black Bridge) carried the railway line to Oxford. Upstream of this the river turns northwards at the heavily wooded ] on the eastern bank with the old Radley Boathouse on the opposite side. Beyond the island the river is flanked by Nuneham Park, belonging to ] with the Jacobean Carfax Water Tower on a hill in the grounds ahead of the Palladian house itself. On the western side the terrain is open farmland with the town of ] beyond. Near here and on that side on the river is the ] boathouse. On the opposite side, meadows for grazing cattle stretch up to Sandford Lock. Immediately above the weir towards the town is the channel cut by the monks of ] in the 10th century to provide navigation and mill water to the abbey itself. For the first few hundred yards the river has turned back on itself making the northern bank temporarily on the southern side. On this side of the lock is ] created by Swift Ditch. The first outflow is the site of the old lock, and the second channel is the original weir stream. Further upstream the ] (known as Black Bridge) carried the railway line to Oxford. Upstream of this the river turns northwards at the heavily wooded ] on the eastern bank with the old Radley Boathouse on the opposite side. Beyond the island the river is flanked by Nuneham Park, belonging to ] with the Jacobean Carfax Water Tower on a hill in the grounds ahead of the Palladian house itself. On the western side the terrain is open farmland with the town of ] beyond. Near here and on that side on the river is the ] boathouse. On the opposite side, meadows for grazing cattle stretch up to Sandford Lock.


The ''']''', which crosses the river at the lock, follows the western bank all the way to Sandford Lock. The ], which crosses the river at the lock, follows the western bank all the way to Sandford Lock.


== See also == == See also ==
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* ] * ]


{{S-start}}
⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}




{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=]}} {{River lock start|River=]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> 4.66 miles|downstream=]<br/> 2.58 miles|location=SU506971}} {{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|7.38|km|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency2" >{{cite web |url= http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/131811.aspx |title=Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames |date=19 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=20 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>|downstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.15|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SU506971}}
{{River bridge start|River=]}} {{River bridge start|River=]}}
{{River item line|upstream=]|downstream=]}} {{River item line|upstream=]|downstream=]}}
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{{River item line|upstream = "southern*" bank <br>] {{River item line|upstream = "southern*" bank <br>]
|downstream = northern bank<br>]}} |downstream = northern bank<br>]}}
{{End box}} {{S-end}}
*Because of the river loop, the southern bank is here on the north side of the river *Because of the river loop, the southern bank is here on the north side of the river


⚫ ==References==

⚫ {{Reflist}}



] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 09:44, 21 November 2023

Abingdon Lock
Abingdon Lock with Abingdon downstream in the distance. The silver parasols are to shade the lock-keeper while operating the controls. Yellow boards on the gates indicate a high stream
51°40′14″N 1°16′09″W / 51.670535°N 1.269202°W / 51.670535; -1.269202
WaterwayRiver Thames
CountyOxfordshire
Maintained byEnvironment Agency
OperationHydraulic
First built1790
Latest built1905
Length36.57 m (120 ft 0 in)
Width5.71 m (18 ft 9 in)
Fall1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Above sea level167'
Distance to
Teddington Lock		85 miles
Abingdon Lock
Legend
River Thames
weir
weir
Sandford Lock and mill
Lock Wood Island
Nuneham Viaduct
weir
weir
Swift Ditch
Abingdon Lock & weir
River Thames
Abingdon Lock in action

Abingdon Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England, less than 1 mile east and upstream of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, on the opposite bank of the river. It was originally built in 1790 by the Thames Navigation Commission.

The weir runs across from the Abingdon side to the lock island, and has a pedestrian walkway across it.

According to a tablet above the front door, the current lock-keeper's house dates from 1928. Ice creams and refreshments have been sold from the door of the house for at least 30 years.

History

Walkway across Abingdon Weir.

The navigation route in the vicinity of Abingdon has been subject to change over the centuries. The Swift Ditch further to the east was the original course of the river Thames. The stream to the town was developed by the monks of Abingdon Abbey and the original weir is reputed to have been built by them during the 10th century. A pound lock was built on the Swift Ditch by the Oxford-Burcot Commission in 1635 making it then the navigation route. In 1788 several citizens of Abingdon wanted to divert navigation back to the current course, possibly taking into account the Wilts & Berks Canal which was to connect to the current navigation channel at Abingdon within ten years. As a result, Abingdon Lock was built near the town and opened at the end of 1790. The lock-keeper's house was reported in 1811 to be half a mile downstream of the lock - probably at the abbey millhouse.

Access to the lock

The lock can be reached on a track heading north from Abingdon Bridge on the Andersey Island side. Alternatively it is possible to walk along the river from the town centre through Abbey Meadows and cross the weir.

Reach above the lock

Nuneham House from the river

Immediately above the weir towards the town is the channel cut by the monks of Abingdon Abbey in the 10th century to provide navigation and mill water to the abbey itself. For the first few hundred yards the river has turned back on itself making the northern bank temporarily on the southern side. On this side of the lock is Andersey Island created by Swift Ditch. The first outflow is the site of the old lock, and the second channel is the original weir stream. Further upstream the Nuneham Railway Bridge (known as Black Bridge) carried the railway line to Oxford. Upstream of this the river turns northwards at the heavily wooded Lock Wood Island on the eastern bank with the old Radley Boathouse on the opposite side. Beyond the island the river is flanked by Nuneham Park, belonging to Nuneham House with the Jacobean Carfax Water Tower on a hill in the grounds ahead of the Palladian house itself. On the western side the terrain is open farmland with the town of Radley beyond. Near here and on that side on the river is the Radley College boathouse. On the opposite side, meadows for grazing cattle stretch up to Sandford Lock.

The Thames Path, which crosses the river at the lock, follows the western bank all the way to Sandford Lock.

See also

Next lock upstream River Thames Next lock downstream
Sandford Lock
7.38 km (4.59 mi) 		Abingdon Lock
Grid reference: SU506971 		Culham Lock
4.15 km (2.58 mi)
Next crossing upstream River Thames Next crossing downstream
Nuneham Railway Bridge Abingdon Lock Abingdon Bridge
Next crossing upstream Thames Path Next crossing downstream
"southern*" bank
Osney Bridge 		Abingdon Lock northern bank
Clifton Hampden Bridge
  • Because of the river loop, the southern bank is here on the north side of the river

References

  1. ^ "Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
  2. Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
  3. ^ "Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012. Distances given in km
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