Old Windsor Lock on the River Thames

There are records of a fishery here at Old Windsor, possibly a predecessor to the flash lock. Around these times, the lock was called mysteriously, Top of Caps. But it wasn't until 1822 that a wooden pound lock was built here.

Records tell us that the lock cost £2,476 to build, and the first lock keeper was paid the princely sum of £3.10s a month.

During a later rebuild, the lock was banked on both sides with rows of stone steps, giving it the unusual, but attractive appearance of an amphitheatre. Later still, the old oak manual operating beams were removed to make way for electric controls. However, these were found to be inefficient and they were changed in 1965 to a hydraulic system.

Did you know?

Jerome K Jerome, in his 1889 book Three Men in a Boat, writes, 'From Picnic Point [near Runnymede] to Old Windsor Lock is a delightful bit of the river'.

Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0)1753 861822
Postcode: SL4 2JZ

Find out more about the Old Windsor Lock facilities.