Monkey Marsh Lock, Canal lock in Thatcham, England
Monkey Marsh Lock is an operational lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal that helps boats navigate a water level change of approximately 2.6 meters. The structure is maintained by Canal and River Trust and allows vessels to pass through the waterway system.
The lock was built between 1718 and 1723 under engineer John Hore's direction as part of the canal system. It formed part of a broader effort to create a continuous shipping route connecting southeastern England.
The lock reflects how inland waterways shaped industrial Britain and connected communities through trade and transport. Today visitors can observe how such structures were central to moving goods and people across the country.
The lock is publicly accessible and easily visible from nearby bridges and towpaths. The best time to visit is during active boating hours when you can observe the lock operating.
This lock is one of only two with grass-sided banks instead of stone walls along the entire canal. This unusual grass construction makes it visually distinct and structurally different from other historic locks on the waterway.
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