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{{Short description|Lock and weir on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, England}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox waterlock {{Infobox waterlock
|lock_name = Bray Lock |lock_name = Bray Lock
|image= Bray lock, Berkshire.JPG |image= Bray Lock, Buckinghamshire.jpg
|caption= Bray Lock, Buckinghamshire |caption= Bray Lock, Buckinghamshire
|waterway = ] |waterway = ]
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}} }}
{{Boulters Lock map|Bray Lock}} {{Boulters Lock map|Bray Lock}}
'''Bray Lock''' is a ] and ] on the ] in England near ] and ] and is just above the ] across the Thames. The lock is on the ] side of the river on the opposite bank from Bray itself and ] which are in ]. The pound lock was built by the ] relatively late in 1845 The lock keeper's cottage is on an island (Parting Eyot) between the lock and the ]. '''Bray Lock''' is a ] and ] on the ] in England near ] and ], and is just above the ] across the Thames. The lock is on the ] side of the river on the opposite bank from Bray itself and ] which are in ]. Here, the county line stands roughly halfway between the lock and the opposite bank, following the course of the Thames itself. The pound lock was built by the ] relatively late, in 1845. The lock keeper's cottage is on an island (Parting Eyot) between the lock and the ].


The weir is almost level with the lock and runs straight across to the opposite bank from the other side of the lock island. The weir is almost level with the lock and runs straight across to the opposite bank from the other side of the lock island.


==History== ==History==
]'' approaching Bray Lock from upstream]]
There was a mill recorded here in ] and 1328 there is a reference to "Richard atte Lock of Bray" occupying a weir called Braibrok.<ref name=Over/> Fifty years later in 1377 there are records of travellers complaining of the excessive tolls at a ] on the site called Hameldon Lock.<ref name='Over'>{{cite book | last = Over | first = Luke | authorlink = | coauthors = Tyrrell, Chris (Illustrations) | title = The Royal Hundred of Bray | publisher = Cliveden Press | year = 1993 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-9521969-0-5 }}</ref> Both the lock and the weirs were removed in 1510 by order of the Commissioner of Sewers. There was a mill recorded on the site in the ] and in 1328 there was a reference to "Richard atte Lock of Bray" occupying a weir called Braibrok.<ref name=Over/> Fifty years later in 1377 there are records of travellers complaining of the excessive tolls at a ] on the site called Hameldon Lock.<ref name='Over'>{{cite book |last=Over |first=Luke |others=Tyrrell, Chris (Illustrations) |title=The Royal Hundred of Bray |publisher=Cliveden Press |year=1993 |isbn=0-9521969-0-5}}</ref> Both the lock and the weirs were removed in 1510 by order of the Commissioner of Sewers.


In 1622 a new flash lock was built by Thomas Manfield<ref name=Over/> and presence of water pens is noted in 1632. Navigation may in earlier times have used ] which went on the other side of Bray to Maidenhead. A ] and weir were first proposed in 1833 for the "improvement of navigation two or three miles above". The fall between Maidenhead and Boveney was large, leading to shallows and a strong current. The towpath was on the Buckinghamshire bank, and navigation on the Berkshire side, so tow ropes had to pass across the island. The suggestion of a lock was made again in 1843 and a lock house built on Parting Eyot with an open-sided lock the following year. The miller contributed to the cost of the weir. The lock was often left open except when river levels were low and no tolls were collected.<ref name=Kemplay/> Sides were added before 1877 and the lock and weir were rebuilt in 1885.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 – republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> Prior to the rebuilding ] had described Bray Lock as a "rotten and dangerous structure".<ref name='Kemplay'>{{cite book | last = Kemplay | first = John | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The Thames Locks | publisher = Ronald Crowhurst | year = 2000 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-9518964-1-5 }}</ref> In 1622 a new flash lock was built by Thomas Manfield<ref name=Over/> and presence of water pens is noted in 1632. Navigation may in earlier times have used ] which went on the other side of Bray to Maidenhead. A ] and weir were first proposed in 1833 for the "improvement of navigation two or three miles above". The fall between Maidenhead and Boveney was large, leading to shallows and a strong current. The towpath was on the Buckinghamshire bank, and navigation on the Berkshire side, so tow ropes had to pass across the island. The suggestion of a lock was made again in 1843 and a lock house built on Parting Eyot with an open-sided lock the following year. The miller contributed to the cost of the weir. The lock was often left open except when river levels were low and no tolls were collected.<ref name=Kemplay/> Sides were added before 1877 and the lock and weir were rebuilt in 1885.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 – republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> Prior to the rebuilding ] had described Bray Lock as a "rotten and dangerous structure".<ref name='Kemplay'>{{cite book |last=Kemplay |first=John |title=The Thames Locks |publisher=Ronald Crowhurst |year=2000 |isbn=0-9518964-1-5}}</ref>

==Incidents==
On 2 August 2015, a privately owned ] carrying four adults and four children suffered a catastrophic explosion of its ] canisters, caused by the ignition of fuel that had accidentally been poured down a waste pipe. Six of the eight people involved, including a three-year-old boy, were rushed to ] in ] and ] in ] by ] for treatment.<ref>{{dead link|date=September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/river-thames-boat-explosion-six-6181438|title=Six in hospital after boat explosion on River Thames|first=David|last=Raven|date=2 August 2015|website=mirror}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-33751590|title=Seven injured in boat explosion|date=2 August 2015|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Another man suffered minor injuries, but was treated at the scene. Members of the public, including the Lock keeper, assisted in the efforts, evacuating the injured from the destroyed boat onto a hire craft for ].


==Reach above the lock== ==Reach above the lock==
] ]
Immediately above the lock is ]. Bray is on the Berkshire bank while the Buckinghamshire bank has open fields. Further along the reach is ]'s ], known as the "Sounding Bridge" from the spectacular echo underneath it. The Maidenhead bank is lined with large ] houses up to ] beside which is the ] once a notorious rendez-vous for illicit coupling.<ref>Paul Goldsack, ''River Thames: In the Footsteps of the Famous'', ]/Bradt, 2003.</ref> Immediately above the lock is ]. Bray is on the Berkshire bank while the Buckinghamshire bank has open fields. Further along the reach is ]'s ], known as the "Sounding Bridge" from the spectacular echo underneath it. The Maidenhead bank is lined with large ] houses up to ] beside which is the ] once a notorious rendez-vous for illicit coupling.<ref>Paul Goldsack, ''River Thames: In the Footsteps of the Famous'', ]/Bradt, 2003.</ref>

Along the banks of the reach are multiple mansions and boathouses, many of which have been or are owned by high-profile British Celebrities such as ] and ].


Above the bridge are the islands of ] and ] before Boulter's Lock with ] on the ] side. Above the bridge are the islands of ] and ] before Boulter's Lock with ] on the ] side.


] takes place from the railway bridge in August, and is followed by the annual ]. The Maidenhead Junior regatta is held in May. ] takes place below the railway bridge in August, and is followed by the annual ]. The Maidenhead Junior regatta is held in May.


===Sports clubs=== ===Sports clubs===
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==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|UK Waterways}}

* ] * ]
* ] * ]

⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}


{{S-start}} {{S-start}}
{{River lock start|River=]}} {{River lock start|River=]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|3.43|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=21 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>|downstream=]<br/> {{convert|5.10|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SU909797}} {{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> {{convert|3.43|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=21 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>|downstream=]<br/> {{convert|5.10|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SU909797}}
{{S-end}} {{S-end}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Transport}}

⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}


{{Coord|51.50893|N|0.69159|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU909797)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref --> {{Coord|51.50893|N|0.69159|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU909797)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->

Latest revision as of 21:19, 6 February 2022

Lock and weir on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, England

Bray Lock
Bray Lock, Buckinghamshire
WaterwayRiver Thames
CountyBuckinghamshire
Maintained byEnvironment Agency
OperationHydraulic
First built1845
Latest built1888
Length40.94 m (134 ft 4 in)
Width5.46 m (17 ft 11 in)
Fall1.46 m (4 ft 9 in)
Above sea level69'
Distance to
Teddington Lock		29 miles
Bray Lock
Legend
River Thames
Fleet River
 A3094  road bridge
weir
Hedsor Wharf
weir
bridges
Cookham Lock
Formosa Island
Strand Water
White Brook
Maidenhead Ditch
Mill Race
Kayaking
Ray Mill
Boulter's Lock
Taplow mill
Jubilee River --
-- (to Old Windsor Lock)
Ray Mill Road West
Grass Eyot
Bridge Eyot
Moor Cut
 A4  Bath Road
High St.(Chapel Arches)
York Road
Guards Club Island
Great Western Main Line
Maidenhead Railway Bridge
Forlease Road
York Stream
Weir and boat rollers
(proposed Green Lane lock)
St Michael's Church, Bray
Bray Cut
Headpile Eyot
Bray Lock, island and weir
Bray Mill
The Cut, Berkshire
 M4  Motorway
The Cut
Bray marina
River Thames

Bray Lock is a lock and weir on the River Thames in England near Bray and Dorney Reach, and is just above the M4 Bridge across the Thames. The lock is on the Buckinghamshire side of the river on the opposite bank from Bray itself and Maidenhead which are in Berkshire. Here, the county line stands roughly halfway between the lock and the opposite bank, following the course of the Thames itself. The pound lock was built by the Thames Navigation Commission relatively late, in 1845. The lock keeper's cottage is on an island (Parting Eyot) between the lock and the weir.

The weir is almost level with the lock and runs straight across to the opposite bank from the other side of the lock island.

History

The Gloriana approaching Bray Lock from upstream

There was a mill recorded on the site in the Domesday book and in 1328 there was a reference to "Richard atte Lock of Bray" occupying a weir called Braibrok. Fifty years later in 1377 there are records of travellers complaining of the excessive tolls at a flash lock on the site called Hameldon Lock. Both the lock and the weirs were removed in 1510 by order of the Commissioner of Sewers.

In 1622 a new flash lock was built by Thomas Manfield and presence of water pens is noted in 1632. Navigation may in earlier times have used York Stream which went on the other side of Bray to Maidenhead. A pound lock and weir were first proposed in 1833 for the "improvement of navigation two or three miles above". The fall between Maidenhead and Boveney was large, leading to shallows and a strong current. The towpath was on the Buckinghamshire bank, and navigation on the Berkshire side, so tow ropes had to pass across the island. The suggestion of a lock was made again in 1843 and a lock house built on Parting Eyot with an open-sided lock the following year. The miller contributed to the cost of the weir. The lock was often left open except when river levels were low and no tolls were collected. Sides were added before 1877 and the lock and weir were rebuilt in 1885. Prior to the rebuilding Charles Dickens had described Bray Lock as a "rotten and dangerous structure".

Incidents

On 2 August 2015, a privately owned cabin cruiser carrying four adults and four children suffered a catastrophic explosion of its propane canisters, caused by the ignition of fuel that had accidentally been poured down a waste pipe. Six of the eight people involved, including a three-year-old boy, were rushed to St. George's Hospital in London and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxfordshire by Air Ambulance for treatment. Another man suffered minor injuries, but was treated at the scene. Members of the public, including the Lock keeper, assisted in the efforts, evacuating the injured from the destroyed boat onto a hire craft for triage.

Reach above the lock

Bray from the River Thames

Immediately above the lock is Headpile Eyot. Bray is on the Berkshire bank while the Buckinghamshire bank has open fields. Further along the reach is Brunel's Maidenhead Railway Bridge, known as the "Sounding Bridge" from the spectacular echo underneath it. The Maidenhead bank is lined with large Edwardian houses up to Maidenhead Bridge beside which is the Skindles Hotel once a notorious rendez-vous for illicit coupling.

Along the banks of the reach are multiple mansions and boathouses, many of which have been or are owned by high-profile British Celebrities such as Michael Parkinson and Rolf Harris.

Above the bridge are the islands of Bridge Eyot and Grass Eyot before Boulter's Lock with Taplow on the Buckinghamshire side.

Maidenhead Regatta takes place below the railway bridge in August, and is followed by the annual Thames Punting Championships. The Maidenhead Junior regatta is held in May.

Sports clubs

Thames Path

The Thames Path follows the Bucks (Eastern) bank to Maidenhead Bridge, which it crosses, and then proceeds on the Berkshire side to Boulter's Lock.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
  2. ^ Over, Luke (1993). The Royal Hundred of Bray. Tyrrell, Chris (Illustrations). Cliveden Press. ISBN 0-9521969-0-5.
  3. ^ Kemplay, John (2000). The Thames Locks. Ronald Crowhurst. ISBN 0-9518964-1-5.
  4. Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 – republished 1968 David & Charles
  6. Raven, David (2 August 2015). "Six in hospital after boat explosion on River Thames". mirror.
  7. "Seven injured in boat explosion". BBC. 2 August 2015.
  8. Paul Goldsack, River Thames: In the Footsteps of the Famous, English Heritage/Bradt, 2003.
Next lock upstream River Thames Next lock downstream
Boulter's Lock
3.43 km (2.13 mi) 		Bray Lock
Grid reference: SU909797 		Boveney Lock
5.10 km (3.17 mi)
Portals:

51°30′32″N 0°41′30″W / 51.50893°N 0.69159°W / 51.50893; -0.69159

  1. ^ "Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012. Distances given in km
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