Mapledurham Lock, River navigation lock in Purley-on-Thames, England
Mapledurham Lock is a river lock on the Thames that connects Purley-on-Thames with Mapledurham. The structure spans the water with a curved weir and includes a salmon ladder to help fish pass through the barriers.
The lock was built in 1777 by Thames Navigation Commissioners to improve river navigation. Major reconstruction in 1908 enlarged the structure to its current form.
The location near Mapledurham House connects to English literature, as some readers link it to Toad Hall from Wind in the Willows. The riverside setting between two villages has inspired discussions about its role in the storytelling imagination of that era.
The lock is best approached from the riverside paths that connect both banks and offer good viewing points. Visitors should note that water conditions vary with the season and affect what can be seen.
This lock is one of the few on the Thames that still supports traditional milling operations while enabling modern boat traffic. The dual purpose shows how historical infrastructure adapts to different uses today.
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