Mile End Lock

Mile End Lock is a canal lock on the Regent's Canal positioned between Queen Mary University of London and Mile End Park. It controls water levels between different sections of the canal, allowing boats to navigate the waterway.

The lock was constructed during the Industrial Revolution as part of the 19th-century Regent's Canal system. A lock keeper's cottage from that era remains standing, showing how the canal infrastructure developed to support transportation.

The towpath here is where locals walk and cycle, creating a meeting point between the university area and the park on either side. It serves as a social spine for the neighborhood, drawing people who want to experience the waterfront.

The lock sits close to Mile End Underground station, making it straightforward to find and visit. The towpath provides comfortable walking and cycling routes where you can watch the lock in operation and see boats passing through.

The lock is the ninth structure in the Regent's Canal sequence, nestled between two other named locks in the system. This middle position gives it an important role in managing boat traffic throughout the waterway.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

GPS coordinates: 51.52510,-0.03803

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:43