Molesey Lock
Encyclopedia
Molesey Lock is a lock
on the River Thames
in England at East Molesey
, Surrey
. It is near Hampton Court Palace
to the west of London.
The lock was built by the City of London Corporation in 1815 and is the second longest on the river at over 268 ft (81.78 m). Beside the lock there are rollers for the portage of small boats. On the other side of the large weir sits Ash Island
, with a backwater behind it continuing to a smaller weir upstream.
The lock's proximity to Hampton Court and easy access made it a popular venue for spectators in the Victorian era
, and the tree-lined lock still attracts large numbers of visitors.
and his successor discharged after incidents of pilfering from barges. In 1853 some changes were made to the lock in anticipation of lower water levels caused by the extraction of water upstream. Fish ladder
s were added to the weir in 1864 and the boat slide built in 1871. Such was the popularity of boating in these days that in 1877 a boat and crew were stationed above the weir in case of accidents. The lock was rebuilt in 1906. On the small lock island is a plaque commemorating Michael J Bulleid whose work for salmon
conservancy has allowed these fish to travel up the river.
on the South side. It is immediately accessible from the main Hurst Road/Riverbank (A3050) and is only a short way from Hampton Court railway station
.
After the lock cut is Tagg's Island
which provides mooring for houseboats some of which are three storeys high. On the Surrey bank here is the "Eights Tree" an original sculpture outside Molesey Boat Club
. The Middlesex bank has interesting features like the Swiss Cottage and the Astoria Houseboat
and there is then an array of period buildings at Hampton
. Garrick's Ait
is another island which is also residential, just by the Hampton Ferry
, which runs in the summer between Hampton and Moulsey Hurst
on the Surrey bank. Close to Hampton is Benn's Island
which is completely covered by Hampton Sailing Club's building and mooring. Upstream of this is the island of Platts Eyot
, where Motor Torpedo Boat
s were built during World War II
. At Platt's Eyot on the Middlesex bank are the Hampton Water Treatment Works and reservoirs, and on the river in front of them is the Hampton School Boat Club
Millennium boat house. Then there is Grand Junction Isle
with a few chalets on it and riverside houses at Sunbury
and Sunbury Court Island
. Upstream of these is Rivermead Island
an expanse of public open space. On the Surrey bank is the large stretch of open ground at Moulsey Hurst, which has an interesting heritage marker opposite Platt's Eyot. Beyond the Eyot on the Surrey bank are the Molesey Reservoirs
behind trees and high brick walls and then a patch of meadowland before Sunbury Lock. The area around the weir pool is used for kayaking
from the weir and the Creek backwater runs behind Wheatley's Ait
where the River Ash joins the Thames. The stretch is home to several sailing
and rowing
clubs. Molesey Regatta
takes place from Platts Eyot in July and Sunbury Amateur Regatta
is held alongside Rivermead Island in August.
below Teddington Lock because of the amount of sewage in the river. The Hampton Waterworks were built on the northern bank in the 1850s by three companies — the Grand Junction Waterworks Company
, the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company
, and the West Middlesex Waterworks Company
. The reservoirs at Molesey on the southern bank were established in 1872, by the Lambeth Waterworks Company
, followed three years later by the Chelsea Waterworks Company
. Both companies had previously built their reservoirs at Seething Wells
below Molesey Lock, but the turbulence caused by the River Mole, River Ember
and The Rythe
meant there was too much mud brought in with the water.
stays on the Surrey bank all the way to Sunbury Lock. There are no bridges that cross the full width of the river on this reach, although there is a large tank trap beside the reservoirs.
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in England at East Molesey
East Molesey
Molesey is a town in the Borough of Elmbridge in Surrey, England. Situated on the outskirts of Greater London, approximately from Charing Cross, it is a typical suburban area. There are two distinct areas in the town: West and East Molesey...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. It is near Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London; it has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. The palace is located south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames...
to the west of London.
The lock was built by the City of London Corporation in 1815 and is the second longest on the river at over 268 ft (81.78 m). Beside the lock there are rollers for the portage of small boats. On the other side of the large weir sits Ash Island
Ash Island
Ash Island is an island in the River Thames in England, adjacent to Molesey Lock. Although the lock is at East Molesey, Surrey, the island is administratively within the London Borough of Richmond. The main weir is at the downstream end of the island connecting to the lock; the second weir is at...
, with a backwater behind it continuing to a smaller weir upstream.
The lock's proximity to Hampton Court and easy access made it a popular venue for spectators in the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
, and the tree-lined lock still attracts large numbers of visitors.
History
A lock was first proposed in 1802 because of the shallows upstream at "Kenton Hedge and Sundbury Flatts above" but nothing came of the suggestion. In 1809 the proposal was resubmitted and the Act for the construction of Molesey Lock was passed by Parliament in 1812. Building began in 1814 and it opened in 1815 with an Italianate lockhouse. The first lock keeper was killed in a horse race at Moulsey HurstMoulsey Hurst
Moulsey Hurst is located in what is now West Molesey, Surrey on the south bank of the River Thames above Molesey Lock. It is one of England's oldest sporting venues and was used in the 18th and 19th centuries for cricket, prizefighting and other sports....
and his successor discharged after incidents of pilfering from barges. In 1853 some changes were made to the lock in anticipation of lower water levels caused by the extraction of water upstream. Fish ladder
Fish ladder
A fish ladder, also known as a fishway, fish pass or fish steps, is a structure on or around artificial barriers to facilitate diadromous fishes' natural migration. Most fishways enable fish to pass around the barriers by swimming and leaping up a series of relatively low steps into the waters on...
s were added to the weir in 1864 and the boat slide built in 1871. Such was the popularity of boating in these days that in 1877 a boat and crew were stationed above the weir in case of accidents. The lock was rebuilt in 1906. On the small lock island is a plaque commemorating Michael J Bulleid whose work for salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
conservancy has allowed these fish to travel up the river.
Access to the lock
The lock is about 100 yards upstream of Hampton Court BridgeHampton Court Bridge
Hampton Court Bridge crosses the River Thames in England in a north to south direction between Hampton, Greater London and East Molesey, Surrey. It is on the reach above Teddington Lock and about hundred yards upstream of the bridge is Molesey Lock....
on the South side. It is immediately accessible from the main Hurst Road/Riverbank (A3050) and is only a short way from Hampton Court railway station
Hampton Court railway station
Hampton Court railway station is a railway station in the Elmbridge district of Surrey, located in East Molesey by Hampton Court Bridge.The station also serves Hampton Court Palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and for the purposes of fare charging it is included in Travelcard...
.
Reach above the lock
Tagg's Island
Tagg's Island is an island in the River Thames in England on the reach above Molesey Lock and just above Ash Island. Although it is close to the Surrey bank near East Molesey, Surrey, it is connected to the further Middlesex bank by a long single track road bridge and is within the London Borough...
which provides mooring for houseboats some of which are three storeys high. On the Surrey bank here is the "Eights Tree" an original sculpture outside Molesey Boat Club
Molesey Boat Club
Molesey Boat Club is a rowing club on the river Thames in England.-Location:The Club is situated on a stretch of the River Thames between Molesey Lock and Sunbury Lock...
. The Middlesex bank has interesting features like the Swiss Cottage and the Astoria Houseboat
Astoria (recording studio)
Astoria is a grand houseboat, adapted as a recording studio by its owner, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. It is moored on the River Thames near Hampton Court...
and there is then an array of period buildings at Hampton
Hampton, London
Hampton is a suburban area, centred on an old village on the north bank of the River Thames, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in England. Formerly it was in the county of Middlesex, which was formerly also its postal county. The population is about 9,500...
. Garrick's Ait
Garrick's Ait
Garrick's Ait , previously known as Shank's Eyot, is an ait in the River Thames in England on the reach above Molesey Lock, near Moulsey Hurst on the Surrey bank and opposite Hampton. It is a short way upstream from Tagg's Island. There are about 20 houses on the island, but it is inaccessible...
is another island which is also residential, just by the Hampton Ferry
Hampton Ferry (River Thames)
Hampton Ferry is a pedestrian and cycle ferry service across the River Thames in England. The ferry links Hampton, on the north bank and in the London Borough of Richmond, with Moulsey Hurst, on the south bank and in the county of Surrey....
, which runs in the summer between Hampton and Moulsey Hurst
Moulsey Hurst
Moulsey Hurst is located in what is now West Molesey, Surrey on the south bank of the River Thames above Molesey Lock. It is one of England's oldest sporting venues and was used in the 18th and 19th centuries for cricket, prizefighting and other sports....
on the Surrey bank. Close to Hampton is Benn's Island
Benn's Island
Benn's Island, previously named Church Eyot, Kember’s Eyot and sometimes referred to as Benn's Ait, is a private and very small ait close to the Middlesex bank of the River Thames at Hampton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in England, on the reach above Molesey Lock...
which is completely covered by Hampton Sailing Club's building and mooring. Upstream of this is the island of Platts Eyot
Platts Eyot
Platts Eyot is an island on the River Thames at Hampton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England, on the reach between Molesey Lock and Sunbury Lock....
, where Motor Torpedo Boat
Motor Torpedo Boat
Motor Torpedo Boat was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the Royal Navy, and the Royal Canadian Navy.The capitalised term is generally used for the Royal Navy boats and abbreviated to "MTB"...
s were built during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. At Platt's Eyot on the Middlesex bank are the Hampton Water Treatment Works and reservoirs, and on the river in front of them is the Hampton School Boat Club
Hampton School Boat Club
Hampton School Boat Club is the rowing club of Hampton School. Each year the club produces 1st VIIIs that compete at Championship level in the United Kingdom. The club hosts two Head race events each year...
Millennium boat house. Then there is Grand Junction Isle
Grand Junction Isle
Grand Junction Isle is an island in the River Thames on the reach above Molesey Lock at Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England. It is just downstream of Sunbury Court Island...
with a few chalets on it and riverside houses at Sunbury
Sunbury-on-Thames
Sunbury-on-Thames, also known as Sunbury, is a town in the Surrey borough of Spelthorne, England, and part of the London commuter belt. It is located 16 miles southwest of central London and bordered by Feltham and Hampton, flanked on the south by the River Thames.-History:The earliest evidence of...
and Sunbury Court Island
Sunbury Court Island
Sunbury Court Island is an island in the River Thames in England on the reach above Molesey Lock. It is near Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey on the Middlesex bank of the river. The island is entirely residential with about 30 houses on it and is connected to the bank by an iron footbridge...
. Upstream of these is Rivermead Island
Rivermead Island
Rivermead Island is an island in the River Thames on the reach above Molesey Lock at Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England. It is unpopulated, being a large area of open space. It is connected to the bank by a footbridge, and vehicle access is possible via a ford of the narrow stream separating it...
an expanse of public open space. On the Surrey bank is the large stretch of open ground at Moulsey Hurst, which has an interesting heritage marker opposite Platt's Eyot. Beyond the Eyot on the Surrey bank are the Molesey Reservoirs
Molesey Reservoirs
The Molesey Reservoirs were a group of reservoirs in England near Molesey, Surrey, in the western suburbs of London. There was an adjacent water treatment works....
behind trees and high brick walls and then a patch of meadowland before Sunbury Lock. The area around the weir pool is used for kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
from the weir and the Creek backwater runs behind Wheatley's Ait
Wheatley's Ait
Wheatley's Ait or Wheatley Eyot is an ait in the River Thames on the reach above Sunbury Lock, on the northern side close to Sunbury on Thames, Surrey, England. The island is in two parts. The downstream part contains workings and moorings for the Environment Agency and is accessed by a road...
where the River Ash joins the Thames. The stretch is home to several sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
and rowing
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
clubs. Molesey Regatta
Molesey Regatta
Molesey Regatta is a rowing regatta, on the River Thames in England which takes place at East Molesey, Surrey on the reach above Molesey Lock....
takes place from Platts Eyot in July and Sunbury Amateur Regatta
Sunbury Amateur Regatta
The Sunbury Amateur Regatta is a regatta on the River Thames at Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England. It takes place at Rivermead Island, downstream of Sunbury Lock....
is held alongside Rivermead Island in August.
Sports clubs on the reach
- Molesey Boat ClubMolesey Boat ClubMolesey Boat Club is a rowing club on the river Thames in England.-Location:The Club is situated on a stretch of the River Thames between Molesey Lock and Sunbury Lock...
- Hampton School Boat ClubHampton School Boat ClubHampton School Boat Club is the rowing club of Hampton School. Each year the club produces 1st VIIIs that compete at Championship level in the United Kingdom. The club hosts two Head race events each year...
- Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club
- Hampton Sailing Club
- Aquarius Sailing Club
- 1st Molesey (Jaguar) Sea Scout Group
- Hampton Hill Sea Scouts
Waterworks and reservoirs
There are reservoirs on both sides of the river above Sunbury Lock, created after the 1852 Metropolis Water Act made it illegal to take drinking water for London from the tidal ThamesTideway
The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...
below Teddington Lock because of the amount of sewage in the river. The Hampton Waterworks were built on the northern bank in the 1850s by three companies — the Grand Junction Waterworks Company
Grand Junction Waterworks Company
The Grand Junction Waterworks Company was a utility company supplying water to parts of west London in England. The company was formed as an off-shoot of the Grand Junction Canal Company in 1811 and became part of the publicly-owned Metropolitan Water Board in 1903.-Origins:The company was created...
, the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company
Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company
The Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company was a utility company supplying water to parts of south London in England. The company was formed by the merger of the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Companies in 1845 and became part of the publicly-owned Metropolitan Water Board in 1903.-Southwark Water...
, and the West Middlesex Waterworks Company
West Middlesex Waterworks Company
The West Middlesex Waterworks Company was a utility company supplying water to parts of west London in England. The company was established in 1806 with works at Hammersmith and became part of the publicly-owned Metropolitan Water Board in 1903.-Origins:...
. The reservoirs at Molesey on the southern bank were established in 1872, by the Lambeth Waterworks Company
Lambeth Waterworks Company
The Lambeth Waterworks Company was a utility company supplying water to parts of south London in England. The company was established in 1785 with works in north Lambeth and became part of the publicly-owned Metropolitan Water Board in 1903.-Origins:...
, followed three years later by the Chelsea Waterworks Company
Chelsea Waterworks Company
The Chelsea Waterworks Company was a London waterworks company founded in 1723 which supplied water to many central London locations throughout the 18th and 19th centuries until its functions were taken over by the Metropolitan Water Board in 1902....
. Both companies had previously built their reservoirs at Seething Wells
Seething Wells
Seething Wells is a locality of Surbiton in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It is the site of a former water treatment works on the south bank of the River Thames. Part of it was redeveloped in the early 21st century. The filter beds remain the property of Thames Water, via their...
below Molesey Lock, but the turbulence caused by the River Mole, River Ember
River Ember
The River Ember is a river in the county of Surrey, England. It is a distributary of the River Mole which splits in two at the Island Barn Reservoir to the South of East and West Molesey. The larger portion becomes the River Ember and flows in an easterly and then northerly direction around the...
and The Rythe
The Rythe
The Rythe is a river in the county of Surrey, England. It is a tributary of the River Thames which it joins at Thames Ditton on the reach above Teddington Lock....
meant there was too much mud brought in with the water.
Thames Path
The Thames PathThames Path
The Thames Path is a National Trail, opened in 1996, following the length of the River Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton. It is about long....
stays on the Surrey bank all the way to Sunbury Lock. There are no bridges that cross the full width of the river on this reach, although there is a large tank trap beside the reservoirs.
Literature and the Media
- Jerome K. JeromeJerome K. JeromeJerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humorist, best known for the humorous travelogue Three Men in a Boat.Jerome was born in Caldmore, Walsall, England, and was brought up in poverty in London...
wrote in the 1880s "I have stood and watched it sometimes when you could not see any water at all, but only a brilliant tringle of bright blazers and gay caps, and saucy hats, and many-coloured parasols, and silken rugs and cloaks and streaming ribbons..."
- The lock featured in an edition of the gardening make-over programme Ground ForceGround ForceGround Force was a British garden makeover television series originally broadcast by the BBC between 1997 and 2005. The series was originally hosted by Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh and was produced by Endemol for the BBC.-Production:...
See also
- Locks on the River ThamesLocks on the River ThamesThe English River Thames is navigable from Cricklade or Lechlade to the sea, and this part of the river falls 71 metres . There are 45 locks on the river, each with one or more adjacent weirs...
- Rowing on the River ThamesRowing on the River ThamesThe River Thames is one of the main rowing areas in England, with activity taking place on the Tideway and on the 45 separate lock reaches on the non tidal section. The river hosts two major rowing events The Boat Race and Henley Royal Regatta, and a large number of other regattas and long distance...
- Sailing on the River ThamesSailing on the River ThamesSailing on the River Thames is practised on both the tidal and non-tidal reaches of the river. The highest club upstream is at Oxford. The most popular sailing craft used on the Thames are lasers, GP14s, Wayfarers and Enterprises...
- London water supply infrastructureLondon water supply infrastructureLondon's water supply infrastructure has developed over the centuries in line with the expansion of London and now represents a sizeable infrastructure investment. For much of London's history, private companies supplied fresh water to various parts of London from the River Thames and the River Lea...
External links
- Photographs of Molesey Lock from the Francis FrithFrancis FrithFrancis Frith was an English photographer of the Middle East and many towns in the United Kingdom....
Collection - Memoryscape — Drifting: Molesey Lock
- 1st Molesey (Jaguar) Sea Scout Group