Blake's Lock, Navigation lock on River Kennet, Reading, England
Blake's Lock connects the River Thames to the Kennet river system through a manually operated mechanism with traditional wooden beams installed in 2006.
The lock began as Brokenburglok in the 13th century, when Reading Abbey's Abbot established a one-penny toll for vessels passing between sunrise and sunset.
The Riverside Museum next to Blake's Lock displays exhibits including a medieval mill wheel, turbine machinery, and a collection of Romani heritage items.
The Environment Agency maintains this lock for water management and vessel navigation, with recent repairs completed during the winter of 2017-2018.
This lock stands as the sole Environment Agency-controlled structure located outside the main River Thames system, operating on the River Kennet instead.
Location: Reading
GPS coordinates: 51.45580,-0.95506
Latest update: April 2, 2025 14:56
University of Reading War Memorial
733 m
St James's Church, Reading
719 m
Reading Old Cemetery
702 m
Albion Terrace, Reading
713 m
Watlington House
559 m
Riverside Museum at Blake's Lock
242 m
Sacred Heart Church, Reading
516 m
Kings Road Baptist Church, Reading
500 m
Reading Abbey
698 m
St Luke's Church
712 m
King's Meadow
623 m
Wesley Methodist Church
545 m
Hugh de Boves and Hugh of Faringdon Memorials (Reading)
684 m
Robed Figure
720 m
Memorial to Henry I
775 m
Riverside Museum
194 m
Main block and flanking wings at Royal Berkshire Hospital
611 m
The Fisherman's Cottage
31 m
Shelter At North East Corner Of Forbury Gardens
755 m
173-183, Kings Road
274 m
Bel and the dragon
218 m
Sumer Is Icumen In (Relief, Reading Abbey)
699 m
Railway Bridge And Attached Accommodation Bridge Over River Kennet At SU 7306 7381
476 m
Rustic Fountain
783 m
Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins
734 m
10, Abbot's Walk
738 m
11 And 12, Abbot's Walk
729 m
14, St John's Road
496 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes