St John's Lock

St John's Lock is a navigation lock on the River Thames in Gloucestershire, marking the highest navigable point of the river at 76 meters above sea level. The structure features a water drop of less than one meter and connects the main river to the upstream canal system.

The stone lock was constructed in 1790 by the Thames Navigation Commission, following the opening of the Thames and Severn Canal in November 1789. This canal connection made the lock a crucial junction point linking two separate waterway systems.

A Grade II listed bronze statue of Father Thames by sculptor Raffaelle Monti stands outside the lock house, created for the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition. The figure remains a striking example of Victorian sculptural art that many visitors pass without noticing.

The lock is accessible via the A417 road with limited parking at the entrance and additional spaces at the nearby pub. Walking access from the parking area leads directly along the riverbank where the lock gates are clearly visible.

The lock takes its name from a thirteenth-century priory dedicated to Saint John the Baptist that once stood in the area. This medieval religious building vanished centuries ago but left its name to mark the location even after the priory was forgotten.