Rushey Lock facts for kids
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| Waterway | River Thames |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Maintained by | Environment Agency |
| Operation | Manual |
| First built | 1790 |
| Latest built | 1898 |
| Length | 34.59 m (113 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 4.59 m (15 ft 1 in) |
| Fall | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Above sea level | 66 m (216 ft) |
| Distance to Teddington Lock |
114 miles (183 km) |
Rushey Lock is a special kind of water gate on the River Thames in England. It helps boats travel up and down the river by changing the water level. You can find it on the north side of the river in Oxfordshire. It's quite far from any towns, with the closest small village being Buckland Marsh.
This lock was built a long time ago in 1790 using strong stone. It was built by a group called the Thames Navigation Commission. Right next to the lock, there's a weir. A weir is like a small dam that controls the water flow of the river.
The Story of Rushey Lock
Before Rushey Lock was built, there was an older water control point about a mile upstream. It was called Old Nan's Weir. This was a "flash lock," which was a simple gate. When opened, it would let a rush of water carry boats through.
In 1790, experts looked at Old Nan's Weir. They decided it wasn't a good spot for a new, modern "pound lock." A pound lock is the type we see today, with two gates that create a pool of water to lift or lower boats. So, they chose to build the new lock at Rushey instead.
There are no records of a lock being at Rushey before this time. The people who worked at Rushey Lock also looked after Old Nan's Weir. That old weir was finally taken away in 1868.
Rushey Lock itself needed repairs over the years. In 1857, it was reported to be in bad shape. The weir also needed fixing in 1871. A new house for the lock keeper, with a unique pyramid-shaped roof, was built in 1894. This replaced an older house. The lock was rebuilt again in 1898 to make it stronger and better.
How to Get to Rushey Lock
There is a road that leads directly to the lock. You can reach it from Tadpole Bridge, which is a bit further down the river.
The River Stretch Above the Lock
The river above Rushey Lock is very winding and has many turns. A short distance before you reach Radcot Lock, you'll find Old Man's Bridge. This bridge is built on the spot where another old weir used to be.
The Thames Path is a long walking trail that follows the river. It runs along the southern bank of the river from Rushey Lock all the way to Radcot Lock.
