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Caversham Lock
Caversham lock in 2012
51°27′39″N 0°57′51″W / 51.4607°N 0.9641°W / 51.4607; -0.9641
Waterway	River Thames
County	Berkshire
Maintained by	Environment Agency
Operation	Hydraulic
First built	1778
Latest built	1875
Length	40.03 m (131 ft 4 in)
Width	5.46 m (17 ft 11 in)
Fall	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Above sea level	120'
Distance to Teddington Lock	55 miles

v t e 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 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, proposals to redevelop the island and some adjoining land are under discussion.

History

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.

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.

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

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

External links

• Official Thames site
• Caversham Life, Living and Community

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. 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

• Islands of the River Thames
• Locks of Reading, Berkshire
• Bridges across the River Thames
• Locks on the River Thames
• Weirs on the River Thames