Shepperton Lock
Telephone: 01932 221840
Postcode: TW17 9LJ
In the early 1800s it was becoming obvious that there was a definite need to improve the Thames navigation at Shepperton. River craft were stuck in the shallows, sometimes for days at a time. There were also worries about flooding, especially after heavy rains. So, some form of lock was required, and in 1813 the City of London Corporation built a timber pound lock here.
The wooden lock lasted for 86 years, when a new stone lock was built alongside the original. Today the lock is very similar to that built in 1899, although the oak beams have been removed and hydraulic operation installed.
Lockkeeper
Shepperton Lock is home to Steve Newman, Lock Keeper here since 1985. With his wife Sandra and three boys, he lives in the attractive Lock House on Lock Island, just yards away from the lock gates.
Even after so many years in the job, Steve finds his work fascinating. He describes one example, 'Some tugs tow up to three barges at a time, so they need to moor up nearby and tow one barge through the lock, tying it up on the other side. Then they return to collect the next barge, and so on. Very skilled. Fascinating to watch.'
An interesting fact
The famous D'oyly Carte Island once housed the composers Gilbert and Sullivan. It is said that the song Willow Tit Willow from The Mikado was written here.
Location and facilities
For a map and a list of all the facilities at the lock visit...
> Location and facilities at Shepperton Lock