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{{Short description|Lock and weir on the River Thames in Berkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
{{stack begin}} {{stack begin}}
{{Infobox Waterlock {{Infobox waterlock
|lock_name = Caversham Lock |lock_name = Caversham Lock
|image= Caversham lock looking downstream.jpg |image= An autumn afternoon at Caversham Lock - geograph.org.uk - 3264827.jpg
|caption= <small>Caversham lock looking downstream</small> |caption= Caversham lock in 2012
|waterway = ] |waterway = ]
|county = ] |county = ]
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|first = 1778 |first = 1778
|latest = 1875 |latest = 1875
|length = {{convert|40.03|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" > {{cite web |url=http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/geth0309bpgk-e-e.pdf |title=A User's Guide to the River Thames |pages=29-30 |date=2009 |work=PDF file |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=7 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref> |length = {{convert|40.03|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" >{{cite web |url=http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/geth0309bpgk-e-e.pdf |title=A User's Guide to the River Thames |pages=29–30 |year=2009 |work=PDF file |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=7 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref>
|width = {{convert|5.46|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" /> |width = {{convert|5.46|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|fall = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" /> |fall = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
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{{stack end}} {{stack end}}


'''Caversham Lock''' is a ] and ] situated on the ] in England at ], ]. The lock is connected to '''De Bohun Island''', a somewhat larger than normal lock island. The original lock was built by the ] in 1778. '''Caversham Lock''' is a ] and main ] on the ] in England at ], ]. Both the lock and main weir are connected to '''De Bohun Island''' (colloquially known as Lock Island). The ] built the original lock in 1778. Additional sluices north of View Island and Heron Island form the whole weir complex. A footbridge, known as '''The Clappers''', passes over the weir and all three islands to connect Lower Caversham to Reading.


The weir is upstream of the lock and in the mid-channel. Kings Meadow, ], and buildings comprising homes and office blocks adjoin to the south of the lock itself. The island contains a typical lock-keeper's house, a crane depot, small boatyard, and large boathouse owned by the ] for occasional use by that authority and police in river patrol and maintenance of boats.
The weir is almost parallel to the lock and carries a footbridge across the river.


The head of water provided by the weir is used by ] to generate up to 46&nbsp;kW of electricity.<ref name="overview">{{cite web |url=https://readinghydro.org/technical-summary/ |title=Discover our hydro-electric plant |date=31 December 2019 |publisher=Reading Hydro CBS |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>
The island contains a typical lock-keeper's house, and until recently there was also a boat yard and boat house used by the ]'s river patrol and maintenance services. {{As of|2007|11}}, proposals to redevelop the island and some adjoining land are under discussion.


==History== ==History==
] ]
A weir, mill, ferry and ] on the site were referenced in 1493 when granted to ]. 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.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> A weir, mill, ferry, and ] on the site were referenced in 1493 when granted to ]. The pound lock opened in 1778, but the long promised lock house was not built until after 1819. In 1871 Reading Corporation planned to build a swing bridge over the lock upstream, but did not implement the plan. The lock was rebuilt in 1875.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>


==Access to and across the lock== ==Access to and across the lock==
The lock is not far from ] and is easily accessible from the centre of Reading. The lock is about 400 metres east of ] and well connected to Kings Meadow, the largest park of central Reading.


The lock can also be reached from the ''Lower Caversham'' area of the cross-river suburb of ] via the weir and island, which provides a pedestrian route to the centre of Reading. Access to the north is to part of the Lower Caversham neighborhood of the former village of ] (considered a Reading suburb administratively since it joined ]), and the route is open as a public footpath.


==Reach above the lock== ==Reach above the lock==
Soon after the lock is ] followed by ] in the middle of the river. The built up part of Reading continues on the southern side to ], to which is attached ]. The northern bank passes through the suburb of Caversham, where ] is close to the bank.] is held annually in June between St Mary's Island and Caversham Bridge. ] is held on August Bank Holiday at Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue near Caversham Bridge. During the festival a temporary structure, ], links the site with parking and camping areas on the open meadows on the north bank. Here the ] can be seen in the background. Soon after the lock, there is ] followed by ] in the middle of the river. The built-up part of Reading stretches 500m (on the southern side) to ]. A gangway spans from Reading to ], with a restaurant that covers more than 75% of the gangway.


The northern bank passes by Caversham. ] is close to the bank at the far end of Caversham (seen on maps also as Upper and Lower Large). Further west of St Mary's Island, ] comes into view as the river continues almost northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.
⚫ ]
⚫ On the south bank, after the open space, is ], where the river turns north with the two islands of ] and ] 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 ]. On the northern bank ] comes into view as the river continues northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.


] is held annually in June between St Mary's Island and Caversham Bridge. ] is held on August Bank Holiday at Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue near Caversham Bridge. A temporary structure called ] links the site with parking and camping areas along the north bank open meadows during the festival. In these areas the ] can be seen in the background.
The ''']''' follows the southern bank to Mapledurham lock.

⚫ ]
⚫ On the south bank, after the farmed meadows, is ], where the river veers briefly north with the two islands of ] and ] in the center of the river. The railway runs adjacent to the river for more than 600 meters on a high brick embankment to enable it to cut through the end of the escarpment further upstream, on which most of ] lies.

The ] follows the southern bank. A footpath follows the north bank between Reading and Caversham bridges.<br>
There is an orphan section of the original towpath 1&nbsp;km downstream of Mapledurham Lock, inaccessible except by boat.


===Sports clubs=== ===Sports clubs===
* ] * ]
* Reading Canoe Club * Reading Canoe Club
{{clear}}
* Reading University Boat Club


==See also== ==See also==
⚫ *]
{{Portal|UK Waterways}}
*] *]
*] *]
⚫ *]

⚫ ==External links==
⚫ {{Commons category|Caversham Lock}}
⚫ *
⚫ *


{{River item box {{River item box
|River = ] |River = ]
|upstream = ] |upstream = ]
|upsub = {{convert|7.08|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> |upsub = {{convert|7.08|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 = ] |downstream = ]
|downsub = {{convert|4.23|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" /> |downsub = {{convert|4.23|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />
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|upstream = ] |upstream = ]
|downstream=] &<br />] |downstream=] &<br />]
|type = bridge
|location = SU718740 |location = SU718740
|table = middle }} |table = middle }}
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{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


⚫ ==External links==
⚫ {{Commons category|Caversham Lock}}
⚫ *
⚫ *


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 14:36, 27 September 2023

Lock and weir on the River Thames in Berkshire, England

Caversham Lock
Caversham lock in 2012
51°27′39″N 0°57′51″W / 51.4607°N 0.9641°W / 51.4607; -0.9641
WaterwayRiver Thames
CountyBerkshire
Maintained byEnvironment Agency
OperationHydraulic
First built1778
Latest built1875
Length40.03 m (131 ft 4 in)
Width5.46 m (17 ft 11 in)
Fall1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Above sea level120'
Distance to
Teddington Lock		55 miles
Caversham Lock
Legend
River Thames
Mapledurham Lock + weir
Mapledurham Mill
island
marina
island
Poplar Island
Appletree Eyot
St Mary's Island
Caversham Bridge
Pipers Island
Fry's Island
Christchurch Bridge
Reading Bridge
Reading railway station
Caversham Lock & weir
moorings
weir
Heron Island bridge
River Thames

Caversham Lock is a lock and main weir on the River Thames in England at Reading, Berkshire. Both the lock and main weir are connected to De Bohun Island (colloquially known as Lock Island). The Thames Navigation Commissioners built the original lock in 1778. Additional sluices north of View Island and Heron Island form the whole weir complex. A footbridge, known as The Clappers, passes over the weir and all three islands to connect Lower Caversham to Reading.

The weir is upstream of the lock and in the mid-channel. Kings Meadow, Reading, and buildings comprising homes and office blocks adjoin to the south of the lock itself. The island contains a typical lock-keeper's house, a crane depot, small boatyard, and large boathouse owned by the Environment Agency for occasional use by that authority and police in river patrol and maintenance of boats.

The head of water provided by the weir is used by Reading Hydro to generate up to 46 kW of electricity.

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 long promised lock house was not built until after 1819. In 1871 Reading Corporation planned to build a swing bridge over the lock upstream, but did not implement the plan. The lock was rebuilt in 1875.

Access to and across the lock

The lock is about 400 metres east of Reading railway station and well connected to Kings Meadow, the largest park of central Reading.

Access to the north is to part of the Lower Caversham neighborhood of the former village of Caversham (considered a Reading suburb administratively since it joined the Borough of Reading), and the route is open as a public footpath.

Reach above the lock

Soon after the lock, there is Reading Bridge followed by Fry's Island in the middle of the river. The built-up part of Reading stretches 500m (on the southern side) to Caversham Bridge. A gangway spans from Reading to Pipers Island, with a restaurant that covers more than 75% of the gangway.

The northern bank passes by Caversham. St Mary's Island is close to the bank at the far end of Caversham (seen on maps also as Upper and Lower Large). Further west of St Mary's Island, Mapledurham House comes into view as the river continues almost northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.

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. A temporary structure called Reading Festival Bridge links the site with parking and camping areas along the north bank open meadows during the festival. In these areas the Chiltern Hills can be seen in the background.

View as the channel veers north-west by Tilehurst and Purley

On the south bank, after the farmed meadows, is Tilehurst, where the river veers briefly north with the two islands of Appletree Eyot and Poplar Island in the center of the river. The railway runs adjacent to the river for more than 600 meters on a high brick embankment to enable it to cut through the end of the escarpment further upstream, on which most of Purley-on-Thames lies.

The Thames Path follows the southern bank. A footpath follows the north bank between Reading and Caversham bridges.
There is an orphan section of the original towpath 1 km downstream of Mapledurham Lock, inaccessible except by boat.

Sports clubs

See also


Next lock upstream River Thames Next lock downstream
Mapledurham Lock
7.08 km (4.40 mi) 		Caversham Lock
Grid reference SU718740		 Sonning Lock
4.23 km (2.63 mi)
Next bridge upstream River Thames Next bridge 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

References

  1. ^ "A User's Guide to the River Thames" (PDF). PDF file. Environmental Agency. 2009. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 7 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
  2. "Discover our hydro-electric plant". Reading Hydro CBS. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  3. Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
  4. ^ "Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012. Distances given in km

External links

Categories: