GovWire

Using the locks

Lock keepers work at Environment Agency locks to help boaters through the lock during their hours of duty.

To find out whether there will be a lock keeper on duty at the lock you are visiting, check our River Thames lock keeper service page.

When lock keepers are not available you may work the lock yourself, at your own risk. Some locks have power, which makes them easier to operate.

Full details of the service lock keepers offer on the River Thames are in the River Thames customer charter.

Lock keeper hours of duty

Teddington Lock has a 24 hour service all year.

At all other locks, you need to operate the lock yourself when the blue self service signs are displayed.

Operating the lock yourself

Operating instructions are posted at locks. Read the operating instructions before you operate the lock.

If you are operating the lock yourself:

• stay close to the sluice controls while the sluices are in operation
• close the lock gates properly before slowly opening the sluices to fill or empty the lock
• leave the lock empty and shut the gates after use - there is often a public right of way over the gates

In an emergency you should close all sluices before dealing with the situation. Emergency contact details are displayed at each lock.

Camping at lock sites

Some Environment Agency lock sites on the River Thames have camping facilities. When planning to camp at an Environment Agency campsite, you will need to check the access routes. Many are only accessible by boat or on foot. Parking is not available at all lock campsites.

Camping is available at the following sites between the stated dates:

• Rushey 1 April to 31 October 2023
• Shifford currently closed
• Pinkhill 1 April to 30 September 2023
• Eynsham all year
• Days currently closed
• Hurley currently closed to casual campers

You can pay when you arrive on site during lock keeper hours of duty. You can pay by cash, cheque or credit or debit card.

Ask about camping availability

Call 03708 506 506 or email waterwaysthames@environment-agency.gov.uk. State the dates and campsite you are interested in and the number of people and tents you want to book for.

The Environment Agency will respond to your enquiry within 10 working days to confirm your booking. Please do not contact the Lock Office directly.

Find out about call charges.

Short stay mooring

Unless signs state otherwise, you are allowed to moor for up to 24 hours at Environment Agency short stay moorings.

You may have to pay a fee at some sites, either for mooring at any time, or after an initial free period.

Signs will usually show any applicable conditions and charges payable. By mooring, you are agreeing to them.

Ask about short stay mooring availability

Call 03708 506 506 if you have any queries, including if you want to pre-book a short stay mooring. You can only pre-book at selected locks.

Find out about call charges.

Additional charges and penalties

You may get a penalty or have to pay additional charges if you do not follow the conditions of use. Penalties could include:

• suspension of your boat registration
• removal of your boat under court order (at the owners expense)

If the Environment Agency has issued warnings for the current river conditions that advise you not to navigate, these penalties will not apply. You should plan to move your boat from the mooring when it is safe to do so.

Electric charging point moorings

Electric powered boats have priority at Environment Agency electric charging point moorings.

Any boat using the electric charging point at an Environment Agency mooring for any length of time will be charged for this service.

You should move a fully charged boat away from the charging point if there is another boat waiting to use it.

During the boating season (1 April to 31 October inclusive) you can only book electric charging point moorings for electric powered boats. Book at least 48 hours in advance by emailing waterwaysthames@environment-agency.gov.uk (monitored Monday to Friday) or directly with a lock or weir keeper.

Electric charging point moorings are only available for 24 hours and boats must not return to the same electric charging point for 72 hours.

After 4pm any electric charging point moorings not booked will be available to any boat, whether electric powered or not, on a first come first serve basis.

Outside the boating season, the previous information does not apply. However, you must move any boat moored at an Environment Agency electric charging point mooring within 24 hours if an electric powered boat requests to use the service.

Environment Agency short stay mooring locations

You can find short stay moorings at the following locations. You can pre-book at specific locations (if spaces are available) by emailing your request to waterwaysthames@environment-agency.gov.uk. Please put Short stay lock mooring request in the subject line.

Short stay mooring locations:

• Lechlade - Riverside Pub
• St Johns Lock - downstream (can pre-book)
• Buscot Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Shifford Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Northmoor Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Eynsham Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Eynsham Lock - downstream (can pre-book)
• Kings Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Kings Lock - downstream
• Oxford - East Street
• Iffley Lock - upstream
• Iffley Lock - downstream
• Sandford Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Sandford Lock - downstream (can pre-book)
• Abingdon Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Culham Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Clifton Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Days Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Benson Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Cleeve Lock - downstream
• Goring Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Goring Lock - downstream
• Goring - downstream of Goring Bridge
• Reading - Scours Lane (moor with care - water depth variable)
• Sonning - for 950 metres upstream of Sonning Lock (moor with care - water depth variable)
• Shiplake Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
• Wargrave - opposite Lashbrook
• Hurley Lock - downstream (can pre-book)
• Temple Lock - upstream
• Marlow - downstream of Marlow Lock
• Cookham Lock - downstream (can pre-book)
• Boveney - opposite Maidenhead Road
• Boveney - downstream of Eton boathouse
• Boveney Lock - downstream (can pre-book)
• Egham - towpath 620 metres upstream of Bell Weir Lock
• Bell Weir Lock - downstream
• Windsor Lock (can pre-book)
• Laleham - towpath between Blacksmiths Lane and Vicarage Lane
• Weybridge - opposite Shepperton Lock Island (Weybridge Point)
• Desborough - downstream end of Desborough Island on
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