Osney Lock on the River Thames

Osney Lock

There was a flash weir at Osney (or Oseney), recorded as far back as 1227 when Henry III was King of England.

The neat, efficient lock you see at Osney today was built in 1790 by the inmates of Oxford Prison. It cost the mere sum of £750.

The lock was originally built as a manual beam pound lock and following a number of renovations, refits and changes, was converted to hydraulic operation in 1970. The lock was built on a secondary channel of the Thames – the natural main channel flows under the site of Oxford Castle.

Did you know?

The Oxford Castle referred to is the site of William the Conqueror's castle built in 1071 soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0)1865 247050
Postcode: OX2 0AX

Find out more about the Osney Lock facilities.

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