Sturt's Lock facts for kids
Sturt's Lock, 2008
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| Waterway | Regent's Canal |
|---|---|
| County | Islington Greater London |
| Maintained by | Canal & River Trust |
| Fall | 8 feet (2.4 m) |
| Distance to Limehouse Basin |
3.5 miles (5.6 km) |
| Distance to Paddington Basin |
5.4 miles (8.7 km) |
| Coordinates | 51°32′06″N 0°05′30″W / 51.534918°N 0.091737°W |
Sturt's Lock is a special kind of water elevator on the Regent's Canal in London. It helps boats move up and down between different water levels. This important lock is located in Islington, a busy part of Greater London.
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What is a Canal Lock?
A canal lock is like a watery step that helps boats travel on canals. Canals often have different water levels along their path. Locks are built to connect these different levels. They allow boats to go from a higher water level to a lower one, or vice versa.
How Sturt's Lock Works
Sturt's Lock works by filling or emptying a chamber of water. When a boat wants to go down, the lock fills with water to the higher level. The boat enters, and then water is slowly let out. This lowers the boat to the next level. To go up, the process is reversed. Water is pumped into the chamber, lifting the boat.
Sturt's Lock helps boats change their height by about 8 feet (2.4 meters). This might not sound like much, but it's a big help for boats on their journey!
The Regent's Canal
Sturt's Lock is part of the famous Regent's Canal. This canal is a waterway that runs through the heart of London. It connects the Limehouse Basin in the east to the Paddington Basin in the west. The canal is about 8.9 miles (14.3 kilometers) long.
Who Looks After the Canal?
The Canal & River Trust is in charge of looking after Sturt's Lock and the rest of the Regent's Canal. They make sure the locks work properly and that the canal is safe for boats and people. They also help protect the wildlife that lives around the canal.
Getting to Sturt's Lock
If you want to visit Sturt's Lock, the nearest London Underground station is Old Street. You can get there using the Northern line. From the station, it's a short walk to the canal and the lock.
