Shiplake Lock

Shiplake Lock is a lock on the River Thames in Oxfordshire that sits between two other locks and controls water levels for boats. The facility allows vessels to pass safely through this stretch of the river.

The lock was built in 1773 by the Thames Navigation Commission, but the original wooden structure did not last long. It was rebuilt in 1787 with stronger oak and has served river traffic ever since.

The location sits along a traditional English waterway that links small villages and reflects how the river once served as a main transport route. Visitors can observe how water levels are still carefully managed to keep the river navigable for boats.

Visitors can use the lock during operating hours with help from lock keepers stationed during daylight. Outside these times, boat operators can manage the lock independently.

In 1961, this lock made history as the first on the Thames to use hydraulic operation systems. This innovation made controlling the lock easier and safer for the lock keepers.

Location: Oxfordshire

GPS coordinates: 51.50100,-0.88343

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:07