Marsh Lock, River lock and weir in Berkshire, England
Marsh Lock is a water control structure on the River Thames in Berkshire that raises or lowers boats between different water levels. The structure allows navigation to continue smoothly along this section of the river.
A simpler water control method existed here originally before being replaced by a modern pound lock design in the early 1800s. This change improved how boats moved through and how water levels were managed.
The name comes from the marshy ground surrounding the river in this area. Visitors can watch how boats move through the waterway following practices that have changed little over centuries.
The best way to experience this site is on foot using the towpath that runs alongside the lock and through the surrounding area. Visiting in the morning tends to be quieter, making it easier to walk and observe the water and structures.
A long wooden bridge connects the Oxfordshire bank directly to an island within the lock, a configuration found nowhere else on the River Thames. This design was built to give workers easy access to different parts of the structure.
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