Hambleden Lock
Telephone: 01491 571269
Postcode: RG9 3AZ
Hambleden was the site of a mill in 1086 when the Domesday Book was being written. It is possible that a flash lock existed on the river here at the time. A pound lock, with heavy wooden manual beams, was built in 1773.
Caleb Gould, the lock keeper from 1777, lies buried in nearby Remenham churchyard. He died aged 91, and his epitaph on his grave stone reads, 'This world's a jest, and all things show it; I thought so once, but now I know it'.
Old Caleb baked bread and sold it to the Thames bargemen. When the current lock keeper, Peter Svendsen, took over at the lock in 1975, he found remains of these old bread ovens.
Interesting fact
The first Oxford and Cambridge University boat race was rowed in 1829 between Hambleden Lock and Henley Bridge. Oxford won in a time of 14 minutes 30 seconds.
Location and facilities
For a map and a list of all the facilities at the lock visit...
> Location and facilities at Hambleden Lock