Cleeve Lock
Telephone: +44 (0)1491 872608
Postcode: RG8 0JY
Click the link below for a map and a list of facilities at the lock.
Location and facilities for Cleeve Lock
Way back in the 1580s a flash lock was recorded at Cleeve, named after a cliff, or clift - a cutting of a channel by water. This weir was converted into an oak pound lock in 1787.
In the 1900s, the lock keeper was a man called John Willey. John fought for his country during the Great War and won the Distinguished Service Medal. Unfortunately, he drowned in the Thames in April 1919, having suffered, according to the coroner, 'a temporary aberration of intellect', something we haven't been able to interpret accurately.
Lock keeper
The Cleeve lock keeper is Ian Smith. Ian has loved the river since he was a boy. At 15 he was boat boy on a Jacobs of Windsor passenger boat, but then joined the Merchant Navy. Upon his return, he looked for a lock keeping job.
Ian loves the isolation of keeping his lock. 'The peace and tranquillity are things you can't buy,' he says. 'From here, it's 20 minutes if you want to buy a bar of soap. Cleeve Lock is a place of quietness. Visitors can have a lovely day out here, and the country walks are really quite wonderful.'
Did you know?
The river island adjoining the weir walkway is owned by Pete Townsend of The Who rock band.