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Revision as of 12:32, 23 July 2015 editJothebulb (talk | contribs)26 editsm →Sports clubs on the reach: added sunbury skiff club reference← Previous edit Latest revision as of 16:56, 4 May 2024 edit undoOrwell'sElephant (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users960 edits →Reach above the lock: Updated and sub-edited the references to Hampton, including links to new article on the waterworks. Any reference to the Millennium boat house should indicate its joint operation by Hampton (boys) and LEH (girls) boat clubs.Tag: Visual edit 
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{{Short description|Lock on the River Thames in Surrey, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox waterlock {{Infobox waterlock
|lock_name = Molesey Lock |lock_name = Molesey Lock
|image = Moleseylock.JPG|thumb|right|240px |image = Moleseylock.JPG
|caption = The lock after the release of 160,000 ]s at the start of the Great British Duck Race in September 2007 |caption = The lock after the release of 160,000 ]s at the start of the Great British Duck Race in September 2007
|waterway = ] |waterway = ]
Line 12: Line 15:
|first = 1815 |first = 1815
|latest = 1906 |latest = 1906
|sealevel = 20' |sealevel = {{convert|20|ft|abbr=on}}
|enda = ] |enda = ]
|distenda = 4.8 miles |distenda = 4.8 miles
|map_image= |map_image=
⚫ |coordinates ={{Coord|51|24|17|N|0|20|45|W|scale:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title|name=Molesey Lock}}
|coordinates =
⚫ {{Coord|51|24|17|N|0|20|45|W|scale:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title|name=Molesey Lock}}
|lat =
|long =
|extra = Power is available out of hours |extra = Power is available out of hours
}} }}
{{Molesey Lock map}} {{Molesey Lock map}}
'''Molesey Lock''' is a ] on the ] in England at ], ]. It is located close to ] in southwest London. '''Molesey Lock''' is a ] on the ] in England at ], ] on the ].


The lock was built by the ] in 1815 and is the second longest on the river at {{convert|81.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.<ref name="EnvAgency" /> Beside the lock there are rollers for the portage of small boats. On the other side of the large weir sits ], with a backwater behind it continuing to a smaller weir upstream. The lock was built by the ] in 1815 and was rebuilt by the ] in 1906. It is the second longest on the river at {{convert|81.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}}; it is the second lowest of the non-tidal river and third-lowest including ] on the ]. Upstream of the lock are moorings for small boats, specifically ], ], small ] and open ] hire, a tour boat pier, a kiosk and van parking space for ice cream and soft drinks. A few metres upstream is a combined side weir and front weir followed by an attached ], ]. A low backwater against the opposite bank which forms the waterside to homes sometimes called the '''Hampton Riviera''' continues to a small upper weir.


Molesey Lock is within sight of the walls of ] in southwest London on the opposite bank through the arches of ], designed by ] (220&nbsp;m away).
⚫ The lock's proximity to Hampton Court and easy access made it a popular venue for spectators in the ], and the tree-lined lock still attracts large numbers of visitors.

==Boat hire and touring==
⚫ The lock's proximity to Hampton Court and boat hire at the site made it a popular venue for spectators in the ] and ] eras, the tree-lined lock attracts large numbers of visitors for nine months of the year. Hire boat companies and ice cream sales attract visitors in all months apart from winter.
]


==History== ==History==
A lock was first proposed in 1802 because of the shallows upstream at "Kenton Hedge and Sundbury Flatts above" but nothing came of the suggestion. In 1809 the proposal was resubmitted and the Act for the construction of Molesey Lock was passed by Parliament in 1812. Building began in 1814 and it opened in 1815 with an Italianate lockhouse. The first lock keeper was killed in a horse race at ] and his successor discharged after incidents of pilfering from barges. In 1853 some changes were made to the lock in anticipation of lower water levels caused by the extraction of water upstream. ]s were added to the weir in 1864 and the boat slide built in 1871. Such was the popularity of boating in these days that in 1877 a boat and crew were stationed above the weir in case of accidents. The lock was rebuilt in 1906.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> On the small lock island is a plaque commemorating Michael J Bulleid whose work for ] conservancy has allowed these fish to travel up the river. A lock was first proposed in 1802 because of then-shallows upstream at "] and ] above" &mdash; nothing came of the suggestion.<ref name=ft/> In 1809 the proposal was resubmitted Parliament passed the Act for construction of the lock in 1812.<ref name=ft/> Building began in 1814 and it opened in 1815 with an ] lockhouse.<ref name=ft/> The first lock keeper was killed in a horse race at ] and his successor discharged after incidents of stealing from barges.<ref name=ft/> In 1853 changes were made to the lock in anticipation of lower water levels caused by the extraction of water upstream. ]s were added to the weir in 1864 and the boat slide built in 1871.<ref name=ft/> Such was the popularity of boating that in 1877 the navigation commission stationed a boat and crew in busy days above the weir in case of accidents.<ref name=ft/> The lock was rebuilt in 1906.<ref name=ft>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> On the small lock island is a plaque commemorating Michael J Bulleid whose work for ] conservancy allows them to scale the river.


==Access to the lock== ==Access to the lock==
The lock is about 100 yards upstream of ] on the South side. It is immediately accessible from the main Hurst Road/Riverbank (A3050) and is only a short way from ]. The lock is {{convert|220|m}} upstream of ] on the right bank, which is here the south side. It is immediately accessible from Hurst Road/Riverbank (A3050) with pavements and a sloped approach and is {{convert|330|m}} from the platform at ] terminus on the same bank.


==Reach above the lock== ==Reach above the lock==
] ]
After the lock cut is ] which provides mooring for houseboats some of which are three storeys high. On the Surrey bank here is the "Eights Tree" an original sculpture outside ]. The Middlesex bank has interesting features like the Swiss Cottage and the ] and there is then an array of period buildings at ]. ] is another island which is also residential, just by the ], which runs in the summer between Hampton and ] on the Surrey bank. Close to Hampton is ] which is completely covered by Hampton Sailing Club's building and mooring. Upstream of this is the island of ], where ]s were built during ]. At Platt's Eyot on the Middlesex bank are the Hampton Water Treatment Works and reservoirs, and on the river in front of them is the ] Millennium boat house. Then there is ] with a few chalets on it and riverside houses at ] and ]. Upstream of these is ] an expanse of public open space. On the Surrey bank is the large stretch of open ground at Moulsey Hurst, which has an interesting heritage marker opposite Platt's Eyot. Beyond the Eyot on the Surrey bank are the ] behind trees and high brick walls and then a patch of meadowland before Sunbury Lock. The area around the weir pool is used for ] from the weir and the Creek backwater runs behind ] where the ] joins the Thames. The stretch is home to several ] and ] clubs. ] takes place from Platts Eyot in July and ] is held alongside Rivermead Island in August. After the lock cut is ] which provides mooring for houseboats some of which are three storeys high. On the Surrey bank here is the "Eights Tree" a tall metal sculpture outside ]. The ] here is sometimes marked as the '''Hampton Riviera''' featuring the Swiss Cottage, the ] and an array of period buildings at ] such as Rotary Court. ] similar in size to Ash Island, is residential, by the ], which runs in the summer between Hampton and ] park on the right bank.

;Left bank proceeding in reverse to flow
], the second-smallest named ], lies upstream of the lock, opposite the ] of Hampton facing ] and ''The Bell'' Inn, and is entirely covered by Hampton Sailing Club. Further upstream is ], where ]s were built during ] and ]. At Platt's Eyot on the left bank is ] and reservoirs, alongside Millennium Boat House jointly operated by ] and ]. ] has a footbridge and a few chalets on it followed by riverside houses at ] and ]. Upstream of these is ] an expanse of public open space. The area of Sunbury Weir pool is used for ] and the narrow Creek backwater runs on the left bank adjoining ] which has two sources: the ] and a minor tumbling bay-weir fed branch of the Thames which naturally formed the large residential island.

;Right bank proceeding in reverse to flow
On the right bank is the large stretch of open ground at Moulsey Hurst, which has a heritage marker and an information panel opposite Platt's Eyot. Beyond the Eyot on this bank are the ] behind the towpath to ], trees, high brick walls and a patch of meadow before ].

;Sports and public regattas
The stretch is home to two ] and three ] clubs, one of which is ] and one for two large independent schools. ] takes place from Platts Eyot in July and ] is held alongside Rivermead Island in August.


===Sports clubs on the reach=== ===Sports clubs on the reach===


*] ] *] ]
*] ] *] (shares Millennium Boathouse with LEH School) ]
* Sunbury Skiff and Punting Club ] * Sunbury Skiff and Punting Club ]
* Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club * Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club (shares Millennium Boathouse with Hampton School)
* Hampton Sailing Club * Hampton Sailing Club
* Aquarius Sailing Club * Aquarius Sailing Club
* Hampton Canoe Club
* *
* Hampton Hill Sea Scouts *


===Waterworks and reservoirs=== ===Waterworks and reservoirs===
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===Thames Path=== ===Thames Path===


The ] stays on the Surrey bank all the way to Sunbury Lock. There are no bridges that cross the full width of the river on this reach, although there is a large ] beside the reservoirs. The ] stays on the Surrey bank (right bank) to Sunbury Lock. The next bridge is half-way along the long reach upstream, ]. A large ] from ] is visible beside the right-bank reservoirs.


==Literature and the Media== ==Literature and the Media==
]'s painting of the weir in 1874]] ]'s painting of the weir in 1874]]
* ] wrote in the 1880s ''"I have stood and watched it sometimes when you could not see any water at all, but only a brilliant triangle of bright blazers and gay caps, and saucy hats, and many-coloured parasols, and silken rugs and cloaks and streaming ribbons..."''<ref>Jerome, Jerome K. ''Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)''. Bristol: Arrowsmith, 1889</ref> * ] wrote in the 1880s "I have stood and watched it sometimes when you could not see any water at all, but only a brilliant triangle of bright blazers and gay caps, and saucy hats, and many-coloured parasols, and silken rugs and cloaks and streaming ribbons..."<ref>Jerome, Jerome K. ''Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)''. Bristol: Arrowsmith, 1889</ref>

* The lock featured in an edition of the gardening make-over programme ] * The lock featured in an edition of the gardening make-over programme ]


== See also == == See also ==
{{Portal|UK Waterways}} {{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}}


* ] * ]
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== External links == == External links ==
{{commons category|Molesey Lock}}
* from the ] Collection * from the ] Collection
* *
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{{S-start}} {{S-start}}
{{River lock start|River=]}} {{River lock start|River=]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.79|km|abbr=on}} |downstream=]<br/>{{convert|7.74|km|abbr=on}} |location=?}} {{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.79|km|abbr=on}} |downstream=]<br/>{{convert|7.74|km|abbr=on}} |location=TQ150686 }}
{{S-end}} {{S-end}}


Latest revision as of 16:56, 4 May 2024

Lock on the River Thames in Surrey, England

Molesey Lock
The lock after the release of 160,000 Rubber ducks at the start of the Great British Duck Race in September 2007
51°24′17″N 0°20′45″W / 51.40472°N 0.34583°W / 51.40472; -0.34583 (Molesey Lock)
WaterwayRiver Thames
CountySurrey
Maintained byEnvironment Agency
OperationHydraulic
First built1815
Latest built1906
Length81.78 m (268 ft 4 in)
Width7.56 m (24 ft 10 in)
Fall1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Above sea level20 ft (6.1 m)
Distance to
Teddington Lock		4.8 miles
Power is available out of hours
Molesey Lock
Legend
Tumbling Bay weir
River Ash (distributary of Colne)
storm weir
River Thames above Sunbury Lock
Sunbury Weir
Sunbury Lock Ait or Island
boat rollers
Sunbury locks
(manual lock)
Rivermead Island
Sunbury Court Island
Grand Junction Isle
Portlane Brook
Platts Eyot
Benn's Ait and St Mary's Church, Hampton
Garrick's Ait and main channel
Tagg's Island
Ash Island
weir
Molesey Lock
River Thames: Kingston Reach

Molesey Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England at East Molesey, Surrey on the right bank.

The lock was built by the City of London Corporation in 1815 and was rebuilt by the Thames Conservancy in 1906. It is the second longest on the river at 81.78 m (268 ft 4 in); it is the second lowest of the non-tidal river and third-lowest including Richmond Lock on the Tideway. Upstream of the lock are moorings for small boats, specifically skiff, paddleboard, small speedboat and open kayak hire, a tour boat pier, a kiosk and van parking space for ice cream and soft drinks. A few metres upstream is a combined side weir and front weir followed by an attached ait, Ash Island. A low backwater against the opposite bank which forms the waterside to homes sometimes called the Hampton Riviera continues to a small upper weir.

Molesey Lock is within sight of the walls of Hampton Court Palace in southwest London on the opposite bank through the arches of Hampton Court Bridge, designed by Edwin Lutyens (220 m away).

Boat hire and touring

The lock's proximity to Hampton Court and boat hire at the site made it a popular venue for spectators in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the tree-lined lock attracts large numbers of visitors for nine months of the year. Hire boat companies and ice cream sales attract visitors in all months apart from winter.

A postcard photograph of people boating on the River Thames near Molesey Lock c1897
Molesey Lock c1897

History

A lock was first proposed in 1802 because of then-shallows upstream at "Kenton Hedge and Sundbury Flatts above" — nothing came of the suggestion. In 1809 the proposal was resubmitted Parliament passed the Act for construction of the lock in 1812. Building began in 1814 and it opened in 1815 with an Italianate lockhouse. The first lock keeper was killed in a horse race at Moulsey Hurst and his successor discharged after incidents of stealing from barges. In 1853 changes were made to the lock in anticipation of lower water levels caused by the extraction of water upstream. Fish ladders were added to the weir in 1864 and the boat slide built in 1871. Such was the popularity of boating that in 1877 the navigation commission stationed a boat and crew in busy days above the weir in case of accidents. The lock was rebuilt in 1906. On the small lock island is a plaque commemorating Michael J Bulleid whose work for salmon conservancy allows them to scale the river.

Access to the lock

The lock is 220 metres (720 ft) upstream of Hampton Court Bridge on the right bank, which is here the south side. It is immediately accessible from Hurst Road/Riverbank (A3050) with pavements and a sloped approach and is 330 metres (1,080 ft) from the platform at Hampton Court railway station terminus on the same bank.

Reach above the lock

The Thames at Hampton

After the lock cut is Tagg's Island which provides mooring for houseboats some of which are three storeys high. On the Surrey bank here is the "Eights Tree" a tall metal sculpture outside Molesey Boat Club. The left bank here is sometimes marked as the Hampton Riviera featuring the Swiss Cottage, the Astoria Houseboat and an array of period buildings at Hampton such as Rotary Court. Garrick's Ait similar in size to Ash Island, is residential, by the Hampton-Molesey Hurst Ferry, which runs in the summer between Hampton and Moulsey Hurst park on the right bank.

Left bank proceeding in reverse to flow

Benn's Island, the second-smallest named island in the Thames, lies upstream of the lock, opposite the original village conservation area of Hampton facing St Mary's Church and The Bell Inn, and is entirely covered by Hampton Sailing Club. Further upstream is Platts Eyot, where Motor Torpedo Boats were built during World War I and World War II. At Platt's Eyot on the left bank is Hampton Water Treatment Works and reservoirs, alongside Millennium Boat House jointly operated by Hampton School Boat Club and Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club. Grand Junction Isle has a footbridge and a few chalets on it followed by riverside houses at Sunbury and Sunbury Court Island. Upstream of these is Rivermead Island an expanse of public open space. The area of Sunbury Weir pool is used for kayaking and the narrow Creek backwater runs on the left bank adjoining Wheatley's Ait which has two sources: the River Ash and a minor tumbling bay-weir fed branch of the Thames which naturally formed the large residential island.

Right bank proceeding in reverse to flow

On the right bank is the large stretch of open ground at Moulsey Hurst, which has a heritage marker and an information panel opposite Platt's Eyot. Beyond the Eyot on this bank are the Molesey Reservoirs behind the towpath to Walton-on-Thames, trees, high brick walls and a patch of meadow before Sunbury Lock.

Sports and public regattas

The stretch is home to two sailing and three rowing clubs, one of which is skiffing and one for two large independent schools. Molesey Regatta takes place from Platts Eyot in July and Sunbury Amateur Regatta is held alongside Rivermead Island in August.

Sports clubs on the reach

Waterworks and reservoirs

There are reservoirs on both sides of the river above Sunbury Lock, created after the 1852 Metropolis Water Act made it illegal to take drinking water for London from the tidal Thames below Teddington Lock because of the amount of sewage in the river. The Hampton Waterworks were built on the northern bank in the 1850s by three companies — the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company, and the West Middlesex Waterworks Company. The reservoirs at Molesey on the southern bank were established in 1872, by the Lambeth Waterworks Company, followed three years later by the Chelsea Waterworks Company. Both companies had previously built their reservoirs at Seething Wells below Molesey Lock, but the turbulence caused by the River Mole, River Ember and The Rythe meant there was too much mud brought in with the water.

Thames Path

The Thames Path stays on the Surrey bank (right bank) to Sunbury Lock. The next bridge is half-way along the long reach upstream, Walton Bridge. A large tank trap from World War II is visible beside the right-bank reservoirs.

Literature and the Media

Alfred Sisley's painting of the weir in 1874
  • Jerome K. Jerome wrote in the 1880s "I have stood and watched it sometimes when you could not see any water at all, but only a brilliant triangle of bright blazers and gay caps, and saucy hats, and many-coloured parasols, and silken rugs and cloaks and streaming ribbons..."
  • The lock featured in an edition of the gardening make-over programme Ground Force

See also

References

  1. ^ "A User's Guide to the River Thames" (PDF). PDF file. Environmental Agency. 2009. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 7 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
  2. ^ Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
  3. An Act to make better Provision respecting the Supply of Water to the Metropolis, (15 & 16 Vict. C.84)
  4. A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of the Borough of Elmbridge
  5. Jerome, Jerome K. Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog). Bristol: Arrowsmith, 1889

External links

Next lock upstream River Thames Next lock downstream
Sunbury Lock
4.79 km (2.98 mi) 		Molesey Lock
Grid reference: TQ150686 		Teddington Lock
7.74 km (4.81 mi)
Borough of Elmbridge
Towns, villages and
neighbourhoods
Cobham
Esher
Surbiton
Thames Ditton
MoleseyMolesey (in traditional parish, East Molesey and West Molesey)
LeatherheadLeatherhead, Oxshott
Walton on Thames
Weybridge
Borough of Elmbridge, Surrey, England
Notable parks
Places of worship
Education
Transport
Railway stations
Roads
Notable other
Buildings and structures
Sport
Places listed are articles notable as settlements, arranged by post town
The M25 motorway follows approximately a boundary and is included for its regional importance.
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