Woolhampton Lock facts for kids
Woolhampton Lock is a special kind of water gate on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is located in the village of Woolhampton in Berkshire, England. This lock helps boats move up or down the canal when the water level changes. It lifts or lowers boats by about 8 feet and 11 inches. The Canal and River Trust takes care of it.
Woolhampton Lock, with the River Kennet flowing under the towpath bridge in the foreground
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| Waterway | Kennet and Avon Canal |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| County | Berkshire |
| Maintained by | Canal and River Trust |
| Operation | manual |
| First built | 1718-1723 |
| Fall | 8 feet 11 inches (2.72 m) |
| Coordinates | 51°23′41″N 1°10′51″W / 51.3947°N 1.1807°W |
Contents
What is a Canal Lock?
A lock is like a water elevator for boats. It is a chamber with gates at both ends. When a boat enters, the gates close. Water is then either added or removed from the chamber. This changes the water level inside. Once the water level matches the next section of the canal, the other gate opens. The boat can then continue its journey.
The part of the canal where Woolhampton Lock sits was built a long time ago. Construction happened between 1718 and 1723. An engineer named John Hore from Newbury oversaw the work. This section was first known as the Kennet Navigation.
The Kennet Navigation is not a completely artificial canal. It uses parts of the natural River Kennet riverbed. Other parts are man-made channels called lock cuts. These lock cuts connect different sections of the river.
How Woolhampton Lock Works
Woolhampton Lock is at the lower end of one of these man-made lock cuts. The river and the lock cut join together right below the lock. This means the natural river water flows into the canal here.
Important Things to Know Near the Lock
Just east of the lock, a swing bridge crosses the navigable river. This bridge carries a road from Woolhampton village to Brimpton. A swing bridge can pivot or "swing" open. This allows boats to pass through.
Boaters are given an important warning here. They should enter or leave the lock and pass under the open bridge in one smooth movement. This is because the river's current can push boats off course. There is also no safe place to tie up a boat between the lock and the bridge. Next to this bridge, you will find the Row Barge public house.
