Old Ford Lock

Old Ford Lock stands as an operational waterway structure measuring 88 feet in length and 19 feet 6 inches in width, controlling water levels with a fall of approximately 9 feet 5 inches along the River Lee Navigation system.

The lock derives its name from a natural ford crossing point that existed at this location for centuries before modern lock systems were constructed to facilitate river navigation and trade routes through London.

The adjacent lock-keeper's cottages gained fame as the filming location for Channel 4's television show 'The Big Breakfast' for over a decade, while nearby industrial sites have appeared in films including 'Breaking and Entering' starring Jude Law.

Maintained by the Canal & River Trust, the lock provides facilities for water supply, rubbish disposal, and chemical toilet waste management, operating daily to allow boat passage between different water levels on the navigation route.

This lock serves as a critical connection point to the artificial Hackney Cut, an 18th-century canal construction that bypassed a large natural river loop to streamline shipping routes through east London.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

GPS coordinates: 51.53810,-0.02100

Latest update: July 25, 2025 19:46