View source for Radcot Lock

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name   = Radcot Lock
|image= Radcot Lock on the River Thames, Oxfordshire - geograph.org.uk - 13765.jpg
|caption= Radcot Lock on the River Thames
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint   = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Manual
|first    = 1892
|latest   = 
|length = {{convert|34.59|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" > {{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/135271.aspx |title=Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames |date=8 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=17 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref>
|width = {{convert|4.57|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|fall = {{convert|1.48|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|sealevel = 221'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 117 miles
|endb =
|distendb = 
| map_cue= 
| map_image= 
| map_text= 
| map_width= 
| coordinates= 
| lat= 
| long= 
| extra= 
}}
{{Radcot Lock map}}
'''Radcot Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] on the [[River Thames]] in England just downstream of [[Radcot]], [[Oxfordshire]], on the southern bank.

The lock was built by the [[Thames Conservancy]] in 1892 on the site of an old weir and  [[flash lock]].

The weir is on the other side of the lock island.

==History==

There was previously a weir on the site known as Clarke's, although the names Becks or Bucks were also used. It was removed in 1868 and the river was widened then.  Proposals for the new pound lock and weir were raised in 1891 and implemented the following year.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

With the replacement of the historic paddle and rhymer weir(2013?) a combined fish and canoe pass was constructed, this currently (2018), is the only one of its 
type on the entire River Thames.

==Access to the lock==

The lock can be reached on foot from the southern end of Radcot Bridge, or by road on a longer route via Thrupp Turn. There is however no public vehicular access to the lock.

==Reach above the Lock==

About halfway along is [[Radcot Bridge]] the oldest surviving bridge on the river. The bridge crossing the main channel has a single arch, and was constructed in stone in the late 18th century.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1283582 |accessdate=12 March 2011}} Radcot Bridge</ref> The A4095 road which it carries also crosses a backwater, which was once the county boundary between Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The backwater bridge dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, and has three arches, the outer two being pointed, with the central one less so,<ref>{{NHLE |num=1053405 |accessdate=12 March 2011}} Old Radcot Bridge</ref> as a result of later rebuilding.  There is a considerable amount of mooring at the backwaters here. Stone for the rebuilding of [[St Paul's Cathedral]], obtained from local quarries was loaded on rafts near the bridge.

Above Radcot is a sharp bend called "Hell's Turn" or "Hell Gut", and further on a point known as "Schoolmaster's Hole".

The '''[[Thames Path]]''', which is on the opposite side of the river from the lock, follows the northern bank to Grafton Lock.

== See also ==
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Grafton Lock]]<br/> {{convert|2.98|km|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency2" > {{cite web |url= http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/131811.aspx |title=Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames |date=8 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=19 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>|downstream=[[Rushey Lock]]<br/> {{convert|4.23|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SP296001}}
{{End box}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/13765 Photograph of Radcot Lock] at geograph.org.uk


{{oxfordshire-geo-stub}}

{{coord|51.69887|-1.57311|type:landmark_region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SP296001)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]