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{{Short description|Lock and weir on the River Thames in Berkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{stack begin}} {{stack begin}}
{{Infobox Waterlock {{Infobox waterlock
|lock_name = Sonning Lock |lock_name = Sonning Lock
|image= SonningLock02.JPG |image = 2008-05 Sonning Lock.JPG
|caption= Sonning Lock from downstream |caption = Sonning Lock from the head gates.
|waterway = ] |waterway = ]
|county = ] |county = ]
|maint = ] |maint = ]
|operation = Hydraulic |operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773 |first = 1773
|latest = 1905 |latest = 1905
|length = {{convert|47.57|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" > {{cite web |url=http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/geth0309bpgk-e-e.pdf |title=A User's Guide to the River Thames |pages=29-30 |date=2009 |work=PDF file |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=12 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref> |length = {{convert|47.57|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" >{{cite web |url=http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/geth0309bpgk-e-e.pdf
|title = A User's Guide to the River Thames |pages=29–30 |year=2009 |work=PDF file |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=12 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref>
|width = {{convert|5.46|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" /> |width = {{convert|5.46|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|fall = {{convert|1.63|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" /> |fall = {{convert|1.63|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|sealevel = 115' |sealevel = 115'
|enda = ] |enda = ]
|distenda = 52 miles |distenda = 52 miles
|endb = |endb=
|distendb = |distendb=
| map_cue= | map_cue=
| map_image= | map_image=
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| lat= | lat=
| long= | long=
| extra= Power is available out of hours | extra = Power is available out of hours
}} }}
{{Sonning Lock map}} {{Sonning Lock map}}
{{stack end}} {{stack end}}


'''Sonning Lock''' is a ] and associated ] situated on the ] at the village of ] near ], ], ]. The first lock was built by the ] in 1773 and it has been rebuilt three times since then. '''Sonning Lock''' is a ] and associated ] situated on the ] at the village of ] near ], ], England.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.riverlevels.info/thames-sonning-sonning-lock | title=Thames at Sonning Lock, Sonning | work= | accessdate=5 January 2014 }}</ref> The first lock was built by the ] in 1773 and it has been rebuilt three times since then. There is a ] a little upstream at the top of the island where ] separates from the main course of the river.

The weir is some distance upstream at the top of the island where the backwater heads behind the island


==History== ==History==
] ]
⚫ A weir at Sonning is recorded as belonging to the Blunte family in the 15th century. This was associated with the mill and fisheries and mention is made of a "Locke-heise" at this time. The ] was replaced in 1773 by the pound lock. This was the highest upstream of the eight locks constructed after the ] (]. c. 8). It was commissioned in 1771 but took two years to build. Fir wood was originally used for these locks, but this decayed very quickly and was replaced at Sonning by oak in 1787. Repairs took place in 1827 when the old flash lock was brought back temporarily into use. By this time a lock house had been built.

⚫ A weir at Sonning is recorded as belonging to the Blunte family in the 15th century. This was associated with the mill and fisheries and mention is made of a "Locke-heise" at this time. The ] was replaced in 1773 by the pound lock. This was the highest upstream of the eight locks constructed after the navigation act of 1770. It was commissioned in 1771 but took two years to build. Fir wood was originally used for these locks, but this decayed very quickly and was replaced at Sonning by oak in 1787. Repairs took place in 1827 when the old flash lock was brought back temporarily into use. By this time a lock house had been built.


The lock-keeper from 1845 to 1878 was James Sadler, a poet and ]. He wrote verses about the river and about bees, and is credited with the invention of the Berkshire hive. One of his works ''The Thames from Oxford to Windsor'' is a rhymed list of the locks, bridges and towns. The lock-keeper from 1845 to 1878 was James Sadler, a poet and ]. He wrote verses about the river and about bees, and is credited with the invention of the Berkshire hive. One of his works ''The Thames from Oxford to Windsor'' is a rhymed list of the locks, bridges and towns.
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==Access to the lock== ==Access to the lock==
The lock is a short walk upstream from ], which itself is close to the centre of Sonning. It is also accessible via a short footpath between St Andrew's Church and the river. The path by the river continues into the town of Reading. The lock is a short walk upstream from ], which itself is close to the centre of Sonning. It is also accessible via a short footpath between ] and the river. The path by the river continues into the town of Reading.


==Reach above the lock== ==Reach above the lock==

] ]
On the southern Berkshire bank, on the approach into Reading is the ]. Beyond the northern ] bank are ] which include the ] and the ]. Access to these is on the upper part of the reach, opposite the entrance to the ] at ]. There is a bend in the river before Herons Island, ] and Caversham Lock. ] takes place at Sonning in May, while ] and ] are held further upstream in June. On the southern Berkshire bank, on the approach into Reading is the ]. Beyond the northern ] bank are ] which include the ] and the ]. Access to these is on the upper part of the reach, opposite the entrance to the ] at ]. There is a bend in the river before Herons Island, ] and Caversham Lock. ] takes place at Sonning in May, while ] and ] are held further upstream in June.
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There are ] just downstream of the entrance to the Thames & Kennet Marina, to allow river users to check their speed. There are ] just downstream of the entrance to the Thames & Kennet Marina, to allow river users to check their speed.


].]]
===Thames Path=== ;Thames Path
The ] stays on the southern bank all the way to Caversham lock, crossing the ] on Horseshoe bridge which is attached to ]'s ] Bridge. The ] stays on the southern bank all the way to Caversham Lock, crossing the ] on ], which is attached to ]'s ] Bridge.


⚫ ==Literature and the media==
{{stack|]}}
] ]
⚫ : "The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay."
:: — '']'' (1882)


⚫ ==Literature and the media==
⚫ : Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,
⚫ {{quote|"The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay." — '']'' (1882)}}
⚫ : By art improved, by nature truly blest?
⚫ : A noble river at its base running,
⚫ : It is a little village known as Sonning.
⚫ :: — ''James Sadler'' (1845–1885), Sonning ]


{{quote|
⚫ ==See also==
⚫ Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,<br/>
{{Portal|UK Waterways}}
⚫ By art improved, by nature truly blest?<br/>
⚫ A noble river at its base running,<br/>
⚫ It is a little village known as Sonning.
⚫ : — ''James Sadler'' (1845–1885), Sonning ]}}


⚫ ==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}}
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ], nearby * ], nearby


{{S-start}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=]}} {{River lock start|River=]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.23|km|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency2" > {{cite web |url= http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/131811.aspx |title=Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames |date=19 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=20 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>|downstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.68|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SU752754}} {{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.23|km|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency2" >{{cite web |url= http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/131811.aspx |title=Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames |date=19 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=20 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>|downstream=]<br/> {{convert|4.68|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SU752754}}
<!-- On Thames, not Kennet <!-- On Thames, not Kennet
{{River lock start|River=]}} {{River lock start|River=]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=]|downstream=In River Thames|location=SU752754}} {{River lock line|upstream=]|downstream=In River Thames|location=SU752754}}
--> -->
{{End box}} {{S-end}}


⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Coord|51.47258|N|0.91868|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU752754)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->


⚫ ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

⚫ {{Coord|51.47258|N|0.91868|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU752754)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->


] ]

Latest revision as of 10:29, 3 January 2025

Lock and weir on the River Thames in Berkshire, England

Sonning Lock
Sonning Lock from the head gates.
WaterwayRiver Thames
CountyBerkshire
Maintained byEnvironment Agency
OperationHydraulic
First built1773
Latest built1905
Length47.57 m (156 ft 1 in)
Width5.46 m (17 ft 11 in)
Fall1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Above sea level115'
Distance to
Teddington Lock		52 miles
Power is available out of hours
Sonning Lock
Legend
River Thames
Reading railway station
Caversham Lock & weir
moorings
weir
Heron Island bridge
Kennet and Avon Canal
Kings Road bridge
Forbury Road bridge
Kings Road bridge
Gas Works Road bridge
Blake's Lock
Paddington - Reading Rly
marina
Sonning Lock & weir
moorings
B478 Thames Street
River Thames

Sonning Lock is a lock and associated weir situated on the River Thames at the village of Sonning near Reading, Berkshire, England. The first lock was built by the Thames Navigation Commission in 1773 and it has been rebuilt three times since then. There is a weir a little upstream at the top of the island where Sonning Backwater separates from the main course of the river.

History

Gardens at Sonning Lock.

A weir at Sonning is recorded as belonging to the Blunte family in the 15th century. This was associated with the mill and fisheries and mention is made of a "Locke-heise" at this time. The flash lock was replaced in 1773 by the pound lock. This was the highest upstream of the eight locks constructed after the Thames and Isis Navigation Act 1750 (24 Geo. 2. c. 8). It was commissioned in 1771 but took two years to build. Fir wood was originally used for these locks, but this decayed very quickly and was replaced at Sonning by oak in 1787. Repairs took place in 1827 when the old flash lock was brought back temporarily into use. By this time a lock house had been built.

The lock-keeper from 1845 to 1878 was James Sadler, a poet and beekeeper. He wrote verses about the river and about bees, and is credited with the invention of the Berkshire hive. One of his works The Thames from Oxford to Windsor is a rhymed list of the locks, bridges and towns.

The lock was rebuilt in 1868. The weirs were reconstructed in 1898 and further rebuilding of the lock occurred in 1905.

Access to the lock

The lock is a short walk upstream from Sonning Bridge, which itself is close to the centre of Sonning. It is also accessible via a short footpath between St Andrew's Church and the river. The path by the river continues into the town of Reading.

Reach above the lock

Looking downstream towards Sonning Lock, with the lock to the right and the weir to the left.

On the southern Berkshire bank, on the approach into Reading is the Thames Valley Park. Beyond the northern Oxfordshire bank are Caversham Lakes which include the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake and the Thames & Kennet Marina. Access to these is on the upper part of the reach, opposite the entrance to the River Kennet at Blake's Lock. There is a bend in the river before Herons Island, View Island and Caversham Lock. Sonning Regatta takes place at Sonning in May, while Reading Town Regatta and Thames Valley Park Regatta are held further upstream in June.

There are navigation transit markers just downstream of the entrance to the Thames & Kennet Marina, to allow river users to check their speed.

Sonning Lock from downstream on the Thames Path.
Thames Path

The Thames Path stays on the southern bank all the way to Caversham Lock, crossing the River Kennet on Horseshoe Bridge, which is attached to Brunel's Great Western Railway Bridge.

Canal boats in Sonning Lock.

Literature and the media

"The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay." — Charles Dickens (1882)

Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,
By art improved, by nature truly blest?
A noble river at its base running,
It is a little village known as Sonning.

— James Sadler (1845–1885), Sonning lock keeper

See also

Next lock upstream River Thames Next lock downstream
Caversham Lock
4.23 km (2.63 mi) 		Sonning Lock
Grid reference: SU752754 		Shiplake Lock
4.68 km (2.91 mi)

References

  1. ^ "A User's Guide to the River Thames" (PDF). PDF file. Environmental Agency. 2009. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 12 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
  2. "Thames at Sonning Lock, Sonning". River Levels. Retrieved 5 January 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  3. Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
  4. ^ "Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012. Distances given in km

51°28′21″N 0°55′07″W / 51.47258°N 0.91868°W / 51.47258; -0.91868

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