Romney Lock

Romney Lock is a navigation lock on the River Thames near Windsor that controls water flow and allows boats to pass through. The structure sits beside a boatyard and Romney Island, roughly half a mile downstream from Windsor Bridge.

The Thames Navigation Commission built the first wooden lock at this location in 1798 to manage water flow in the region. Over time the structure was modernized multiple times to meet the growing demands of the river system.

The lock forms an integral part of the Thames waterway system, connecting communities and supporting maritime activities between Windsor and neighboring regions.

Visitors reach the lock by following a single track road starting from the car park behind Windsor and Eton Riverside railway station. The access is straightforward but the narrow road requires careful driving, especially when traffic is heavy.

A 200-kilowatt hydroelectric power station was installed at the lock in 2011 and generates electricity for Windsor Castle. This makes Romney Lock an unusual blend of historic waterway structure and modern renewable energy facility.