Boulter's Lock, Navigation lock on River Thames in Maidenhead, England
Boulter's Lock is a navigation lock and weir on the River Thames in Berkshire, close to the town of Maidenhead. The lock chamber raises and lowers boats between different water levels, while the weir alongside it controls the flow of the river.
A mill operated at this site from the 1300s, and the first lock was built here in the late 1500s to help boats move along the river. The current structure dates to 1912, replacing earlier versions that could no longer handle the growing number of boats.
In the late 1800s, this stretch of the Thames became a fashionable spot for Londoners arriving by train on summer Sundays, boats packed so tightly that the water was barely visible. Today people still come to watch vessels pass through the lock chamber, making it a relaxed spot for a riverside walk.
The lock is reached from Ray Mead Road, where a public car park sits a short walk away from the water. The riverside path is flat and easy to follow, making it a comfortable outing for most visitors.
A fish pass was installed at the weir in 2000 to allow salmon to migrate upstream, and it is easy to miss if you do not know where to look. It sits at the edge of the weir and is one of the few places on this part of the Thames where migrating fish can continue their journey.
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