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Boulter's Lock
The top channel
Waterway	River Thames
County	Berkshire
Maintained by	Environment Agency
Operation	Hydraulic
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 and weir on the River Thames in England on the eastern side of Maidenhead (formerly in Cookham) Berkshire. The lock is on the western side of the river between the main (A4094) Maidenhead to Cookham road and Ray Mill Island. The name is also used for the immediate surrounding area. The weir is one of the most popular whitewater freestyle kayaking areas on the River Thames, after Hurley Weir.

History and Etymology

A "bolter" was a miller and hence means "miller's lock." The mill on Ray Mill Island was constructed in 1726 on the site of a previous mill, and continued to produce flour until the 1920s.

The first pound lock was constructed on the site in 1772 by the Thames Navigation Commission although there had been other types of lock, including a flash lock on the site previously. The lock was built just two years after the Thames Act which gave the Thames Navigation Commission the power of compulsory purchase to make the river more accessible. The lock was moved to the opposite bank of the river and enlarged in 1829 and 1912.

This area of the river became popular for boating parties in the late 19th century and early 20th century as portrayed in the painting by Edward John Gregory. The lock was a popular place to visit on the Sunday after Royal Ascot when the wealthy and famous passed through the lock, often on their way to Cliveden.

Weir

The weir is some way from the lock, at the northern end of Ray Mill Island. Like 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 had modifications made to it, to allow kayakers to play on it without causing disruption to other river users.

The last Salmon ladder to be built on the Thames was opened at Boulters Weir on 19 May 2000 by the Duke of Wellington

Access

Ray Mead road/Lower Cookham road (A4094) runs alongside the lock, and there is a car park with ample parking off the road. There is a track onto the lock island.

Reach above the Lock

After the long cut beside the islands the reach opens out at the head of the Jubilee River on the Buckinghamshire bank. This is followed by the spectacular hanging beech woods on the escarpment above which sits Cliveden, well known for the Cliveden Set and the Profumo Affair. The river then curves round to Formosa Island and the other islands where Cookham Lock is situated.

The Thames Path follows the western Maidenhead bank along the river until it cuts into Cookham, missing the lock.

Kayaking

Access

A car park on Ray Mead road/Lower Cookham road (A4094) provides ample parking to the nearby lock. The Thames which runs parallel with this road can be used as a get in point, simply paddle upstream (left after leaving the car park) and when the river splits, turn downstream to face the weir. Do not shoot the weir - this is not permitted, causes problems with the lock keeper, and relations with the EA.

Gates

The weir consists of 6 radial gates which are opened according to the river levels.

• Gates closed

For most of the summer, the weir is set like this. A canoe/kayak flume is installed by a group of kayakers after the main wet season has died down, and is in place until heavy rain is forecast in September or October. The flume allows 'hole moves' to be performed, and side surfing. It's deep enough for you not to hit the bottom easily (approximately 4ft/1.2m deep). Short, low volume boats are recommended for maximum use.

• 1 or more gates open

The same team of kayakers with co-operation from the Environment Agency (as of the 7th September 2006) have installed a new ramp in front of gate 3. The ramp is not adjustable, but in the future the intention is to allow adjustments of the wave shape, hopefully providing world class retentive waves/holes which can be surfed and freestyle moves executed. The installation is currently being tested.

Water levels

• Flume - No gates need to be open, but there needs to be enough water coming over the steps to provide playable whitewater. During winter, the ramp is removed otherwise it could be damaged by heavy flows of water. After heavy rain the flume also becomes very sticky, and harder to get out of.
• Ramp wave (radial gate 3 open) - Currently, vague information stands as:

• 15 inches open - Wave/hole combination where most freestyle moves should be possible.
• 3ft+ open - Large and fast hole. More difficult to paddle with.
• 3 gates open - Large wave/hole, no clean eddylines. Can be shallow.

• Other configurations - Unknown as yet.

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)
• Kayak information

51°32′00″N 0°41′58″W / 51.53329°N 0.69954°W / 51.53329; -0.69954

• Buildings and structures in Windsor and Maidenhead
• Geography of Berkshire
• Locks of Berkshire
• Locks on the River Thames
• Weirs on the River Thames
• Whitewater Canoeing venues
• Windsor and Maidenhead