Bray Lock

Bray Lock is a navigational lock on the Thames in Buckinghamshire that allows boats to move through changing water levels. A keeper's house sits on a nearby island, and a weir system works alongside the main lock to manage the river's flow.

A basic flash lock stood here from 1622 until the Thames Navigation Commission rebuilt it as a modern pound lock in 1845. The structure underwent significant reconstruction in the late 1800s to improve safety and efficiency.

The lock serves as a meeting point for rowers and boatmen who pass through daily, connecting riverside communities above and below. Local water enthusiasts have long gathered here as a landmark along their regular routes on the river.

You can watch boats pass through from the public paths nearby, with the most activity on weekends and fine weather days. The lock is easy to reach and makes a natural stopping point if you are walking or cycling along the river.

Charles Dickens wrote about this lock in his works, noting how poorly it had deteriorated before being rebuilt. His observations reveal how much the structure mattered to river transport at the time.