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| {{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> 2.08 miles|downstream=]<br/> 2.13 miles|location=SU903824}} | {{River lock line|upstream=]<br/> 2.08 miles|downstream=]<br/> 2.13 miles|location=SU903824}} | ||
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| {{Berkshire-struct-stub}} | |||
| {{coor title d|51.53329|N|0.69954|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU903824)}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref --> | {{coor title d|51.53329|N|0.69954|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU903824)}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref --> | ||
Revision as of 19:27, 9 October 2007
| Boulter's Lock | |
|---|---|
 The top channel | |
| Waterway | River Thames |
| County | Berkshire |
| Maintained by | Environment Agency |
| First built | 1772 |
| Latest built | 1912 |
| Length | 199' 6" (60.80m) |
| Width | 21' 3" (6.47m) |
| Fall | 7' 10" (2.39m) |
| Above sea level | 77' |
| Distance to Teddington Lock | 31 miles |
Boulter's Lock is a lock situated on the River Thames on the eastern side of Maidenhead (formerly in Cookham) in the English county of Berkshire. It is owned and managed by the Environment Agency. The name is also used for the immediate surrounding area.
Name
A "bolter" was a miller and hence means "miller's lock."
History
The first pound lock was constructed in order to make the higher reaches of the River Thames on the site in 1772, although there had been other types of lock, including a flash lock on the site previously. The lock itself was built just two years after the Thames Act which gave the Thames Navigation Commission the power of compulsory purchase in order to make the river more accessible.
The lock was moved to the opposite bank of the river and enlarged in 1829 and 1912. The lock is situated between the main Maidenhead to Cookham road and Ray Mill Island. This area of the river became popular for boating parties in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
The mill on the island was constructed in 1726 on the site of a previous mill, and continued to produce flour until the 1920s. The island has subsequently been the location of a hotel, as well as pleasure gardens managed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. There are a small number of private residences on the island.
Construction
The lock is a pound lock which is 60.81 metres in length and 6.48 metres in width, and has a depth of 5.25m at its highest. It is a manned lock.
Weir
Main article: Boulter's WeirLike most other locks, Boulter's Lock has a weir to maintain the level of the river while still flowing water downstream. Boulter's Weir is special in that it has special modifications made to it, to allow kayakers to play on it without causing disruption to other river users.
Literature and the Media
The lock has been the subject of a number of paintings since it is very picturesque. For example, Boulter's Lock, Sunday Afternoon (1882–97) by Edward John Gregory (1850–1909) is probably his most well-known painting. Nicholas Pocock, the marine artist, lived at Ray Lodge.
External links
- Maidenhead.net information including a 1944 postcard
- The River Thames Guide information
- Boulter's Lock, Sunday Afternoon, 1882–97, Edward John Gregory (Lady Lever Art Gallery)
- A selection of historic photographs of the lock
- A wide range of first hand sources (select Boulters on the left menu)
| Next lock upstream | River Thames | Next lock downstream |
| Cookham Lock 2.08 miles |
Boulter's Lock Grid reference: SU903824 |
Bray Lock 2.13 miles |
51°32′00″N 0°41′58″W / 51.53329°N 0.69954°W / 51.53329; -0.69954
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