Boulter's Lock
Encyclopedia
Boulter's Lock is a lock
and weir
on the River Thames
in England on the eastern side of Maidenhead
, Berkshire
. A lock was first built here by the Thames Navigation Commission
in 1772. 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 some way upstream of the lock, at the northern end of Ray Mill Island. It is one of the most popular whitewater freestyle kayaking
areas on the River Thames, as it has had modifications made to it, to allow kayakers to play on it without causing disruption to other river users.
is in the late 16th century, although a mill is known to have existed here in the 14th century. In 1746 it was written that there was no lock downstream of this lock. The 1770 navigation act did not allow the Thames Navigation Commission to build locks below Maidenhead Bridge
, so the lock here built in 1772 was the lowest downstream of the eight first built by the Commission. Originally the lock was on the Taplow
side and in 1773 an adjacent resident complained of trespass in his woods by the barge-crews who "very much misbehaved themselves by their indecent conversation and horrid oaths and imprecations". It was referred to as "Boltus Lock". A "bolter" was a miller
and hence means "miller's lock" and originally referred to the mill at Taplow. It was exceptional that a lock-keeper's house was built in 1774. By 1780 the lock was reported as being in as bad a state as Marlow and in 1795, Phillips Inland Navigation complained of the deep hole and subsequent shoals caused by the force of water.
In 1825 the City of London complained of the condition of the lock and recommended it be rebuilt on the Berkshire side of the river. The new lock opened in 1828 and was known as Ray Mill pound after Ray Mill Island to which it was now adjacent. The lock cut created Boulter's Island
.
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
. In 1899 an iron railing was placed round the lock to keep spectators at bay. In 1909 the Thames Conservancy
purchased Ray Mill Island to provide for expansion of the lock and it was rebuilt in 1912.
Congestion at the lock was a serious problem before World War I
, and a novel solution was employed to reduce it. A moving ramp, consisting of wooden slats with chocks to prevent rowing boats from rolling over, was constructed to bypass the lock. The ramp was similar to an escalator, and small boats simply rowed towards it, and were carried up to the higher level while the occupants remaining seated in their boat. The boat lift opened in 1909, and was powered by an electric motor. The date of its demise is uncertain, but its location on Ray Mill island can still be visited.
The salmon ladder
opened at Boulters Weir on 19 May 2000 by the Duke of Wellington was the last of a series built on the Thames. The last salmon caught previously at the weir was landed in 1821.
town centre is run by Courtney Coaches
.
on the Buckinghamshire
bank. This is followed by Bavin's Gulls
on Cliveden Deep with 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.
The weir at Boutler's Lock is a popular kayak
ing site. A canoe
/kayak flume
is installed annually on the weir during the summer and there is a permanent fixed ramp
in front of the third of the weir's six gates.
(1850–1909) is his Boulter's Lock|Sunday afternoon. Nicholas Pocock
, the marine artist, lived at Ray Lodge and broadcaster Richard Dimbleby
had a house on Boulter's Island
. The writer John O'Farrell
grew up in 'The Weir House' opposite.
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
and weir
Weir
A weir is a small overflow dam used to alter the flow characteristics of a river or stream. In most cases weirs take the form of a barrier across the river that causes water to pool behind the structure , but allows water to flow over the top...
on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in England on the eastern side of Maidenhead
Maidenhead
Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. A lock was first built here by the Thames Navigation Commission
Thames Navigation Commission
The Thames Navigation Commission used to manage the River Thames in southern England. In particular, they were responsible for installing or renovating many of the locks on the river in the 18th and early 19th centuries.- History :...
in 1772. The lock is on the western side of the river between the main (A4094) Maidenhead to Cookham road and Ray Mill Island
Ray Mill Island
Ray Mill Island is an island in the River Thames in England at Boulter's Lock near Maidenhead, Berkshire.The island is now a park administered by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. It is named after the Ray family who once had a flour mill here...
. The name is also used for the immediate surrounding area.
The weir is some way upstream of the lock, at the northern end of Ray Mill Island. It is one of the most popular whitewater freestyle kayaking
Playboating
Playboating is a discipline of whitewater kayaking or canoeing where the paddler performs various technical moves in one place , as opposed to downriver whitewater canoeing or kayaking where the objective is to travel the length of a section of river...
areas on the River Thames, as it has had modifications made to it, to allow kayakers to play on it without causing disruption to other river users.
History
The earliest reference to a flash lockFlash lock
Early locks were designed with a single gate, known as a flash lock or staunch lock. The earliest European references to what were clearly flash locks were in Roman times....
is in the late 16th century, although a mill is known to have existed here in the 14th century. In 1746 it was written that there was no lock downstream of this lock. The 1770 navigation act did not allow the Thames Navigation Commission to build locks below Maidenhead Bridge
Maidenhead Bridge
Maidenhead Bridge is a Grade I listed bridge carrying the A4 road over the River Thames between Maidenhead, Berkshire and Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. It crosses the Thames on the reach above Bray Lock, about half a mile below Boulter's Lock.-History:...
, so the lock here built in 1772 was the lowest downstream of the eight first built by the Commission. Originally the lock was on the Taplow
Taplow
Taplow is a village and civil parish within South Bucks district in Buckinghamshire, England. It sits on the east bank of the River Thames facing Maidenhead on the opposite bank. Taplow railway station is situated near the A4 south of the village....
side and in 1773 an adjacent resident complained of trespass in his woods by the barge-crews who "very much misbehaved themselves by their indecent conversation and horrid oaths and imprecations". It was referred to as "Boltus Lock". A "bolter" was a miller
Miller
A miller usually refers to a person who operates a mill, a machine to grind a cereal crop to make flour. Milling is among the oldest of human occupations. "Miller", "Milne" and other variants are common surnames, as are their equivalents in other languages around the world...
and hence means "miller's lock" and originally referred to the mill at Taplow. It was exceptional that a lock-keeper's house was built in 1774. By 1780 the lock was reported as being in as bad a state as Marlow and in 1795, Phillips Inland Navigation complained of the deep hole and subsequent shoals caused by the force of water.
In 1825 the City of London complained of the condition of the lock and recommended it be rebuilt on the Berkshire side of the river. The new lock opened in 1828 and was known as Ray Mill pound after Ray Mill Island to which it was now adjacent. The lock cut created Boulter's Island
Boulter's Island
Boulter's Island is an island in the River Thames at Boulter's Lock, near Maidenhead, Berkshire.Boulter's Island is accessible by motor vehicle across Boulter's Bridge across the tail of Boulter's Lock. The island has a number of private houses, a restaurant and a small boatyard with a slipway...
.
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
Edward John Gregory
Edward John Gregory , British painter, born at Southampton, began work at the age of fifteen in the engineers drawing office of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company....
. 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
Cliveden
Cliveden is an Italianate mansion and estate at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. Set on banks above the River Thames, its grounds slope down to the river. The site has been home to an Earl, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor....
. In 1899 an iron railing was placed round the lock to keep spectators at bay. In 1909 the Thames Conservancy
Thames Conservancy
The Thames Conservancy was a historical body responsible for the management of the River Thames in England. It was founded in 1857, initially replacing the jurisdiction of the City of London up to Staines and later taking responsibility for the whole river from Cricklade in Wiltshire to the sea at...
purchased Ray Mill Island to provide for expansion of the lock and it was rebuilt in 1912.
Congestion at the lock was a serious problem before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and a novel solution was employed to reduce it. A moving ramp, consisting of wooden slats with chocks to prevent rowing boats from rolling over, was constructed to bypass the lock. The ramp was similar to an escalator, and small boats simply rowed towards it, and were carried up to the higher level while the occupants remaining seated in their boat. The boat lift opened in 1909, and was powered by an electric motor. The date of its demise is uncertain, but its location on Ray Mill island can still be visited.
The salmon ladder
Fish ladder
A fish ladder, also known as a fishway, fish pass or fish steps, is a structure on or around artificial barriers to facilitate diadromous fishes' natural migration. Most fishways enable fish to pass around the barriers by swimming and leaping up a series of relatively low steps into the waters on...
opened at Boulters Weir on 19 May 2000 by the Duke of Wellington was the last of a series built on the Thames. The last salmon caught previously at the weir was landed in 1821.
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. An hourly bus route to the lock from MaidenheadMaidenhead
Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...
town centre is run by Courtney Coaches
Courtney Coaches
Courtney Coaches are a bus operator baseed in Bracknell, Berkshire, England. They operate a network of commercial and contracted local bus services and school buses in and around Bracknell and Maidenhead...
.
Reach above the lock
After the long cut beside the islands the reach opens out at the head of the Jubilee RiverJubilee River
The Jubilee River is a hydraulic channel in southern England. It is 11.6 km in length and is on average 45 metres wide. It was constructed in the late 1990s and early 2000s to take overflow from the River Thames and so alleviate flooding to areas in and around the towns of Maidenhead,...
on the Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
bank. This is followed by Bavin's Gulls
Bavin's Gulls
Bavin's Gulls or Sloe Grove Islands are a group of islands in the River Thames in England on the reach known as Cliveden Deep above Boulter's Lock, near Maidenhead, Berkshire. This reach of the Thames was described by Jerome K...
on Cliveden Deep with the spectacular hanging beech woods on the escarpment above which sits Cliveden
Cliveden
Cliveden is an Italianate mansion and estate at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. Set on banks above the River Thames, its grounds slope down to the river. The site has been home to an Earl, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor....
, well known for the Cliveden Set
Cliveden set
The Cliveden Set were a 1930s right-wing, upper class group of prominent individuals politically influential in pre-World War II Britain, who were in the circle of Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor...
and the Profumo Affair
Profumo Affair
The Profumo Affair was a 1963 British political scandal named after John Profumo, Secretary of State for War. His affair with Christine Keeler, the reputed mistress of an alleged Russian spy, followed by lying in the House of Commons when he was questioned about it, forced the resignation of...
. The river then curves round to Formosa Island
Formosa Island
Formosa Island is an island in the River Thames in England at Cookham Lock near Cookham, Berkshire, with two smaller adjacent islands.The island is one of the largest on the non-tidal river Thames with of woodland. It can be reached by footbridge from Cookham...
and the other islands where Cookham Lock
Cookham Lock
Cookham Lock is a lock with weirs situated on the River Thames near Cookham, Berkshire. The lock is set in a lock cut which is one of four streams here and it is surrounded by woods. On one side is Sashes Island and on the other is Mill Island connected to Formosa Island, the largest on the...
is situated.
The Thames Path
Thames Path
The Thames Path is a National Trail, opened in 1996, following the length of the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton. It is about long....
follows the western Maidenhead bank along the river until it cuts into Cookham
Cookham
Cookham is a village and civil parish in the north-easternmost corner of Berkshire in England, on the River Thames, notable as the home of the artist Stanley Spencer. It lies north of Maidenhead close to the border with Buckinghamshire...
, missing the lock.
Kayaking
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing site. A canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
/kayak flume
Flume
A flume is an open artificial water channel, in the form of a gravity chute, that leads water from a diversion dam or weir completely aside a natural flow. Often, the flume is an elevated box structure that follows the natural contours of the land. These have been extensively used in hydraulic...
is installed annually on the weir during the summer and there is a permanent fixed ramp
Inclined plane
The inclined plane is one of the original six simple machines; as the name suggests, it is a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights. By moving an object up an inclined plane rather than completely vertical, the amount of force required is reduced, at the expense of increasing the...
in front of the third of the weir's six gates.
Literature and the media
One of the best known works of Edward John GregoryEdward John Gregory
Edward John Gregory , British painter, born at Southampton, began work at the age of fifteen in the engineers drawing office of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company....
(1850–1909) is his Boulter's Lock|Sunday afternoon. Nicholas Pocock
Nicholas Pocock
thumb|Pocock's bird's-eye-view painting of the [[Battle of Copenhagen ]]Nicholas Pocock was a British artist best known for his many detailed paintings of naval battles during the age of sail....
, the marine artist, lived at Ray Lodge and broadcaster Richard Dimbleby
Richard Dimbleby
Richard Dimbleby CBE was an English journalist and broadcaster widely acknowledged as one of the greatest figures in British broadcasting history.-Early life:...
had a house on Boulter's Island
Boulter's Island
Boulter's Island is an island in the River Thames at Boulter's Lock, near Maidenhead, Berkshire.Boulter's Island is accessible by motor vehicle across Boulter's Bridge across the tail of Boulter's Lock. The island has a number of private houses, a restaurant and a small boatyard with a slipway...
. The writer John O'Farrell
John O'Farrell
John O'Farrell is a British author, broadcaster and comedy scriptwriter.-Early life:O’Farrell grew up in Maidenhead, Berkshire the youngest of three children, attending Courthouse Primary School and then Desborough Comprehensive...
grew up in 'The Weir House' opposite.
External links
- Boulter's Lock, Sunday Afternoon, 1882–97, Edward John Gregory (Lady Lever Art GalleryLady Lever Art GalleryThe Lady Lever Art Gallery was founded in 1922 by Sunlight Soap magnate, William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, and dedicated to the memory of his wife....
) - Maidenhead.net information including a 1944 postcard
- Thames Valley Freestylers weir levels