Camden Lock

Camden Lock is a canal lock with two manually operated chambers on the Regent's Canal in north London. The twin gates help boats adjust to changing water levels and continue their journey along the historic waterway.

Engineers built the lock between 1818 and 1820 as part of the Regent's Canal, linking Paddington with Limehouse. The structure later gained protected status, preserving a piece of early industrial transport in London.

The name points back to an old route toward Hampstead, though the structure itself sits deep in Camden. Around the gates, markets and shops have grown over time, shaping the neighborhood and drawing visitors every day.

The lock operates every day, with keepers on hand to adjust water levels and let boats pass through. Visitors can watch the process from the towpath when a vessel moves through the gates.

Each chamber carries the same nameplate reading Hampstead Road Lock 1, which creates a curious doubling for anyone expecting separate numbers. This unusual detail reflects the way the twin gates were considered a single unit from the start.

Location: London Borough of Camden

Part of: Regent's Canal

GPS coordinates: 51.54110,-0.14570

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27