Sunbury Lock
Telephone: 01932 782089
Postcode: KT12 2JD
In the 1700s there was a sort of weir here, made of wood planks and pilings across the river. This was intended to direct the main water stream into, and to scour out, the 'barge road.'
A pound lock was built here by the Corporation of London in 1812. They constructed a wood chamber in an old channel of the river. It was fitted with a pair of centre gates, which were used frequently in the 1800s because of the growing use of smaller barges. Records show, however, that these middle gates weren't actually used until 1838.
Some 14 years later this lock was dismantled and new lock built in 1852-56. In 1925 the second lock was built alongside and these are the two locks we see here today.
Lock keeper
Stephen 'Steve' Drewett was an area relief lockkeeper for 15 years before being appointed to Sunbury Lock in 2000. A keen sailor, he races a Laser dinghy at Littleton Sailing Club and is planning to build a two-handed Enterprise dinghy. Recently, Steve skippered a 38ft Westerley Typhoon yacht to France.
Steve loves his work. 'I lived the good life in Cornwall as a potter, but I like the location here. It's isolated but not too isolated,' he says. 'Everything's on hand - very close is the town (Walton-on-Thames), sailing waters, leisure activities and more. I'm a rural chap at heart, and that's how I want to stay.'
An interesting fact
One of the biggest local events is the annual Sunbury Regatta, held here in August since 1876, which attracts racing craft from many parts of the country.
Location and facilities
For a map and a list of all the facilities at the lock visit...
> Location and facilities at Sunbury Lock