Osney Lock

Osney Lock is a water control structure on the River Thames that helps boats navigate between different levels of the river. The facility sits along a section of the Thames where the water drops, making it a working part of the navigation system today.

The lock was built at the end of the 1700s to make the river more navigable for boats traveling through the region. It has remained an important part of river traffic on this stretch of the Thames ever since.

The name Osney comes from local pronunciation 'owes knee', reflecting the regional dialect variations found throughout the Thames Valley region.

You can reach the lock by walking along the towpath that runs beside the river throughout this area. The path is open year-round, though mud and wet conditions are common after rain.

The lock houses the first community-owned hydro scheme on the Thames, generating 49 kilowatts of electricity since May 2015.

Location: Oxfordshire

GPS coordinates: 51.74860,-1.27135

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:43