Old Windsor Lock

Old Windsor Lock is a river lock on the Thames in Berkshire that manages water levels and allows boats to pass through safely. The structure includes heavy gates and a chamber where vessels are raised or lowered as they transit, with a walkway on top providing access for visitors.

The lock was built in 1822 to handle growing boat traffic on the Thames. Following decades of wear, it underwent major restoration work and reopened in the 1950s to continue its role in river navigation.

The lock's name reflects its location relative to Windsor, and visitors can walk across the footbridge to observe its working mechanisms up close. The site shows how waterway engineering became part of everyday British life, blending commercial and recreational use on a single river corridor.

The lock sits along a public pathway that is easily accessible and provides good vantage points for watching boats pass through. Larger vessels create more activity, and weather can change quickly along the river.

The lock marks the boundary between two distinct water sections and blends Victorian engineering with later maintenance updates that keep it running smoothly. A walkway allows close-up views of the machinery that most visitors miss.