Eynsham Lock
Telephone: 01865 881324
Postcode: OX29 4BY
Eynsham Lock was built quite recently, in 1928, as part of plans to make the Thames navigable to Lechlade. The nearby Swinford Toll Bridge – built in 1769 during the days of stage coaches, highwaymen and turnpikes – is described as the finest of the many bridges over the Thames with its Georgian architecture.
Eynsham is said to be one of the oldest villages in Britain. It is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 571AD when Cuthwolf fought the Britons at Bedcanford and captured four villages, Limbury, Aylesbury, Benson, and Eynsham. Eynsham lock was used by merchants taking salt from Droitwich and stone from Taynton.
Lock keeper
It was only in July 2004 that the new Lock Keeper Nik Vallely took up residence, taking over from the retired and popular Billy McCreadie who was in the job for 37 years.
Nik is busy developing Eynsham with updated facilities – there are toilets, a sanitary station and grassy areas with picnic tables freely available.
Starting in 1990 as a summer assistant, Nik advanced to Area Relief at Day’s, Benson and Cleeve locks before becoming resident lock keeper at Shifford in December 1996. Eight years later he became lock keeper at Eynsham Lock – the job he’d dreamed of.
An interesting fact
Swinford is so named because it was an ancient crossing for pigs (swine ford).
Location and facilities
For a map and a list of all the facilities at the lock visit...
> Location and facilities at Eynsham Lock