Hanham Lock

Hanham Lock is a river lock on the Avon that allows boats to pass between different water levels using traditional stone and wooden gate construction. The site includes the original superintendent's house, now a protected heritage building.

Built between 1724 and 1727 as part of the Bristol Avon Navigation project, the lock opened a commercial route for moving goods between Bristol and Bath. This work transformed the river into a navigable transport corridor.

The lock represents centuries of working waterways, with original gates and stonework still in daily use to manage boat passage. The superintendent's house nearby offers a glimpse into how lock keepers maintained and operated this place.

The lock is easy to reach with parking nearby and facilities including seasonal restrooms and drinking water stations available on site. Boat users can access designated launching points to enter the water safely.

The river below the lock experiences tidal influences where spring tides occasionally wash over the weir and alter water levels downstream to Keynsham Lock. This natural phenomenon is unusual for an engineered waterway in this region.

GPS coordinates: 51.42790,-2.51057

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:41