Sandford Lock
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 775889
Postcode: OX4 4YD
Click the link below for a map and a list of facilities at the lock.
Location and facilities for Sandford Lock
Sandford is the site of one of the first three pound locks built on the Thames in 1630. It was built in stone and was rebuilt in 1795 and 1836. Over the years the lock has undergone many modifications and updates, and little of the original construction remains.
The existing lock, the deepest on the non-tidal Thames, was built alongside an earlier one - you can still see the long indentation in the grass. On the lockside there are three large lumps of granite, which remain from the old lock.
In 1875 the nearby Sandford Paper-Mill was re-built requiring the head water level to be raised by 5 feet. This may explain the need for such a deep lock-chamber.
Lock Keeper
Andy Lovell has been the Lock Keeper at Sandford since 2006, having worked before as a relief lockkeeper in the Upper Thames area. He loves working here as a member of the Sandford community and is proud to be a part of the long history of lock keepers caring for the river here.
Did you know?
The name Sandford possibly originates from a sandy river crossing, or 'sans ford' - without a ford. Sans is Middle English for 'without'.