Sunbury Lock on the River Thames

The Queen’s Swan Uppers begin their annual journey ‘Royal Swan Upping’ up the Thames here, every July, recording the swan population. Sunbury Lock is mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome's book Three Men in a Boat. Visit at weekend during the summer and you find a tea shop on the lockside.  As it is inaccessible from the road it has become a haven for wildlife with swans often nesting. You can spot other birdlife such as Egyptian geese and you might even see the pipstrelle, Britain’s smallest bat.

History

In the 1700s there was a sort of weir here, made of wood planks and pilings across the river. This was intended to direct the main water stream into, and to scour out, the 'barge road.' There was originally one pound lock, built in 1812 by the Corporation of London, and to this day it retains its wooden operating beams (at the upstream end) to open and close the heavy gates. The chamber sides were made of timber and it was located in an old channel of the river. Records show it was fitted with a pair of centre gates although these were not actually used until 1838. Alongside is the new lock, built as recently as 1925. This has modern boater-friendly push-button facilities to open and close the hydraulically-operated gates. Both locks are still operating and both are in use at busy times such as Regattas.

Sunbury Lock Ait (Island)

Adjacent to Sunbury Lock is Sunbury Lock Ait (island) which is unpopulated, but accessible by a footbridge over the lock cut from a wide section of the Thames Path towpath on the southern bank as well as walkways on the lock gates. A walkway also links to Wheatley's Ait upstream, across the weir, but this is closed to the public.  The lock island existed before the widening and deepening of the lock cut (navigation). It was for centuries known as "Sunbury Church Ait" until the City of London Corporation purchased it to build the lock. The footbridge and old lock house are where the lock originally sat, upstream of the present locks. The Island is home to the Middle Thames Yacht (motor boat) Club and a private boat mending yard. 

Kayaking

There is also a weir at the Lock. Sunbury Weir has the highest volume and speed for freestyle kayaking on the River Thames, but is not suitable for new or inexperienced paddlers. 

Fishing

The lock island offers a small stretch for river angling. This can be accessed via Waterside Drive where there is ample parking near the leisure centre and the football club. KT12 2JG. An EA River Thames lock and weir fishing permit is required (Standard coarse season and limit of 2 rods).

Thames Path

The Thames Path continues along the Surrey bank until just before Shepperton Lock where the ferry goes across to the other side. To avoid the ferry calls for a long detour over Walton Bridge and via Shepperton.

Boat Trips

French Brothers calls at Sunbury Lock with its Runnymede to Hampton Court Service during the summer months (please check availability).

Sunbury Regatta

One of the biggest local events is the annual Sunbury Regatta, held since 1876, attracting racing craft from many parts of the country.

Access to the lock

The lock is inaccessible from the road and can be reached along the towpath from The Weir Hotel or Elmbridge Leisure Centre on the Walton on Thames side. The weir for Kayaking purposes can be reached by water from the northern bank public car park on Fordbridge Road, between Shepperton and Sunbury, parallel to north side of River Thames. Once parked, walk across the field, and paddle downstream to the main weir.

Next lock upstream: Shepperton Lock, Distance 2.95 miles (4.75km)

Next lock downstream: Molesey Lock, Distance 2.98 miles (4.79km)

Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0)3708 506 506
Postcode: KT12 2JD

Find out more about the Sunbury Lock facilities.

Image credit: http://www.beautifulengland.net/photos/index.php/surrey/Walton-on-Thames/boatenteringsunburylockriverthameswaltononthames2