Romney Lock
Telephone: 01753 860296
Postcode: SL4 6HU
Romney Lock's history goes back to the 1400s, when records tell us there was a weir (a flash lock) here called Bullokeslok. This flash lock was part of a fishery, which went by the name of Cokkeshole. The origins of these names remain a mystery.
It wasn't until 1795-7 that an oak pound lock was built by the Thames Navigation Commissioners, but it was rebuilt by the Thames Conservancy in 1869 and again by the Thames Water Authority in 1979.
A recent development was the installation of a public-operation control system, which means the lock can be opened and closed outside normal opening hours.
Lock keeper
The lockkeeper here is Dave Ford. A keen river enthusiast for many years, he helped out as a summer assistant at Romney as a 16-year-old. After that he took up an apprenticeship at a London boatyard before returning to full-time lockkeeping.
Dace says, 'Although Romney Lock is just minutes from the busy towns of Windsor and Eton, it is a haven of peace and tranquillity, an oasis of quiet solitude among the high trees that border the surrounding grounds of Windsor Castle and Eton College'.
An interesting fact
J Sutton (traditional oar and scull makers) of Romney Lock are famous for producing the oars for Sir Steve Redgrave when he won his Olympic medals.
Location and facilities
For a map and a list of all the facilities at the lock visit...
> Location and facilities at Romney Lock