Hawley Lock facts for kids
Hawley Lock, 2008
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| Waterway | Regent's Canal |
|---|---|
| County | Camden Greater London |
| Maintained by | Canal & River Trust |
| Fall | 8 feet (2.4 m) |
| Distance to Limehouse Basin |
6.04 miles (9.7 km) |
| Distance to Paddington Basin |
2.84 miles (4.6 km) |
| Coordinates | 51°32′30″N 0°08′38″W / 51.541648°N 0.143938°W |
Hawley Lock is a special kind of water elevator called a lock. It's found on the Regent's Canal in the London Borough of Camden, a part of London. Locks like Hawley Lock are super important because they help boats travel safely along canals, even when the water level changes.
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What is Hawley Lock?
Hawley Lock is one of many locks along the Regent's Canal. Think of it like a giant step that boats use to go up or down. It helps boats move from one section of the canal to another when the water levels are different. Without locks, boats couldn't travel the whole length of the canal!
How Does a Canal Lock Work?
A canal lock is a chamber with gates at both ends. When a boat wants to go through:
- If going downhill, water is let out of the lock until it matches the lower level.
- If going uphill, water is let into the lock until it matches the higher level.
This clever system allows boats to smoothly change their height on the water. Hawley Lock helps boats change their height by about 8 feet (2.4 meters).
Why is it Called Hawley Lock?
The lock is probably named after the Hawley family. This family was very important in the areas of Brentford and Boston Manor, which are also in London. They were well-known from the late 1500s onwards. The Hawley family even managed the Brentford market for almost 200 years!
Getting to Hawley Lock
Hawley Lock is easy to find in London. If you want to visit and see the boats go through, you can use public transport:
- The closest London Underground station is Camden Town.
- The nearest London Overground station is Camden Road.
