Isis Lock

Isis Lock is a navigation lock that links the Oxford Canal to the Castle Mill Stream section of the River Thames in Oxford. The structure features raised bricks across its surface that provide secure grip when operating the gates in wet weather.

Built between 1795 and 1797 by David Harris, the lock was designed to allow Thames barges to reach the wharves on Worcester Street. Its construction marked an important link between the waterways and Oxford's trading infrastructure.

The lock sits at the heart of Oxford's waterway heritage, showing how boats once moved goods and people through the city center. Visitors can observe how the mechanical gates still work much as they did when the waterways bustled with commercial traffic.

The lock is easily accessible on foot from Oxford's city center and sits along pedestrian paths following the Thames. Wear sturdy shoes as the surfaces can become slippery after rain, especially when walking near the operating gates.

Local boatmen know this lock by the nickname Louse Lock, even though official navigation charts list it as Isis Lock. This informal name is so common among water users that it often appears in conversation more than the formal designation.

Location: Oxfordshire

GPS coordinates: 51.75600,-1.26924

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02