Shepperton Lock
Encyclopedia
Shepperton Lock is a lock
on the River Thames
, in England adjoining the northern bank near Shepperton
, Surrey
(formerly Middlesex
). It is across the river from Weybridge
, but not directly accessible from there.
In 1813, the City of London Corporation built the pound lock on a cut along an existing watercourse to create Lock Island
.
There are two weirs, one between Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island
and the other larger one between Hamhaugh Island and the southern bank.
The Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry
service runs from Ferry Lane below the lock to the end of Thames Street, Weybridge
, where there are two rowing clubs and a canoeing club. Overlooking the lock and the islands is the Thames Court pub/restaurant.
but this is unlikely to have been on the tidal Thames itself. There is also reference to a sluice or dam at Shepperton in 1293 and tolls being raised on passing ships, but the geography of the area is likely to have changed and these do not appear to refer to the site of the current lock. The lock was built in 1813 on the site of a small watercourse known as Stoner's Gut which ran across the neck of a hook in the river as it went to Weybridge. This channel was considered a nuisance to navigation and was not considered for use as the main channel as barges usually went to Weybridge or the Wey Navigation
. Various accounts at the end of the 18th century record flood waters cutting through the gut and it is believed that there was a little wooden church built on piles over the river which was washed away. The gut was dammed and in 1805 came the first suggestion for a lock. After strong opposition, the proposal was put forward again in 1809 and a wooden lock was subsequently built. A stone lock was built in 1899, next to the existing wooden one which was then filled in and removed.
A small island adjoining the Surrey bank, upstream of the lock, may have been called Dog Ait at some point. This became corrupted into the name "Dockett" as in Dockett Eddy Lane. However Dog Ait is shown on 19th century Ordnance Survey maps (1883, 1896) as being the previous name for the current Pharoah's Island (see also below)
, said to have been a gift from the nation to Admiral Nelson following the Battle of the Nile
. In fact it did not gain this name until the early 20th century. The Middlesex bank is quite open with several larger houses along it until Dumsey Meadow
a Site of Special Scientific Interest
. The Surrey side is built up until parkland at Chertsey Meads, and then built up again at the edge of Chertsey
itself. Chertsey Bridge
crosses the river just before Chertsey Lock. On the backwater going past Chertsey Lock, which becomes the Abbey River
, is the site of the Anglo-Saxon Chertsey Abbey
sacked by the Viking
s. Chertsey Regatta
is held alongside Dumsey Meadow in August.
follows the northern (Middlesex) bank all the way to Chertsey Lock.
Our Mutual Friend
at Plashwater Mill is based on Shepperton lock.
In H. G. Wells
The War of the Worlds
one of the main battles fought against the invaders from Mars takes place between Weybridge and Shepperton lock.
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 adjoining the northern bank near Shepperton
Shepperton
Shepperton is a town in the borough of Spelthorne, Surrey, England. To the south it is bounded by the river Thames at Desborough Island and is bisected by the M3 motorway...
, 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...
(formerly Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
). It is across the river from Weybridge
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
, but not directly accessible from there.
In 1813, the City of London Corporation built the pound lock on a cut along an existing watercourse to create Lock Island
Lock Island
Lock Island is an island in the River Thames in England connected to Shepperton Lock, near Shepperton. There is a stretch of open ground where refreshments are served, making the island a popular place to visit or stop and rest. The Thames River Police have a station on the Island...
.
There are two weirs, one between Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island
Hamhaugh Island
Hamhaugh Island is an island in the River Thames in England close to Shepperton Lock, near Shepperton, Surrey. The island is mainly residential with a total of 46 houses and a communal green. Access is on foot from Shepperton lock, across Lock Island and then across a weir. A second weir, without...
and the other larger one between Hamhaugh Island and the southern bank.
The Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry
Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry
The Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry is a pedestrian and cycle ferry service across the River Thames in the English county of Surrey. The ferry runs from Ferry Lane, in Shepperton, to a point a short walk from Thames Street, in Weybridge. It is situated just below Shepperton Lock on the reach above...
service runs from Ferry Lane below the lock to the end of Thames Street, Weybridge
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
, where there are two rowing clubs and a canoeing club. Overlooking the lock and the islands is the Thames Court pub/restaurant.
History
A weir is recorded at Shepperton in the 1086 Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
but this is unlikely to have been on the tidal Thames itself. There is also reference to a sluice or dam at Shepperton in 1293 and tolls being raised on passing ships, but the geography of the area is likely to have changed and these do not appear to refer to the site of the current lock. The lock was built in 1813 on the site of a small watercourse known as Stoner's Gut which ran across the neck of a hook in the river as it went to Weybridge. This channel was considered a nuisance to navigation and was not considered for use as the main channel as barges usually went to Weybridge or the Wey Navigation
Wey and Godalming Navigations
The Wey and Godalming Navigations is the name given to the navigable parts of the River Wey, in Surrey, UK. The navigation runs for around between the River Thames below Shepperton Lock near Weybridge, to the south-west of London, and the centre of Godalming, in Surrey; it runs through Guildford...
. Various accounts at the end of the 18th century record flood waters cutting through the gut and it is believed that there was a little wooden church built on piles over the river which was washed away. The gut was dammed and in 1805 came the first suggestion for a lock. After strong opposition, the proposal was put forward again in 1809 and a wooden lock was subsequently built. A stone lock was built in 1899, next to the existing wooden one which was then filled in and removed.
A small island adjoining the Surrey bank, upstream of the lock, may have been called Dog Ait at some point. This became corrupted into the name "Dockett" as in Dockett Eddy Lane. However Dog Ait is shown on 19th century Ordnance Survey maps (1883, 1896) as being the previous name for the current Pharoah's Island (see also below)
Access to the lock
The lock is on the Middlesex bank, and can be reached from Shepperton down Ferry Lane or from the Chertsey direction via Dockett Eddy Lane leading to Towpath. There is usually ample parking space. From the Weybridge side it can only be reached by the ferry.Reach above the lock
Immediately above the lock is Pharaoh's IslandPharaoh's Island, River Thames
Pharaoh's Island is an island in the River Thames, in Surrey, England. The island is located above Shepperton Lock. It was given to Admiral Nelson following the Battle of the Nile who used it as a fishing retreat....
, said to have been a gift from the nation to Admiral Nelson following the Battle of the Nile
Battle of the Nile
The Battle of the Nile was a major naval battle fought between British and French fleets at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1–3 August 1798...
. In fact it did not gain this name until the early 20th century. The Middlesex bank is quite open with several larger houses along it until Dumsey Meadow
Dumsey Meadow
Dumsey Meadow is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, England. It is the only piece of undeveloped water meadow remaining on the River Thames and is home to a variety of rare plants and insects....
a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
. The Surrey side is built up until parkland at Chertsey Meads, and then built up again at the edge of Chertsey
Chertsey
Chertsey is a town in Surrey, England, on the River Thames and its tributary rivers such as the River Bourne. It can be accessed by road from junction 11 of the M25 London orbital motorway. It shares borders with Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Addlestone, Woking, Thorpe and Egham...
itself. Chertsey Bridge
Chertsey Bridge
Chertsey Bridge is a road bridge across the River Thames in England, connecting Chertsey to low-lying riverside meadows in Laleham, Surrey. It is situated 550 yards downstream from the M3 motorway bridge over the Thames and is close to Chertsey Lock on the reach above Shepperton Lock.The bridge is...
crosses the river just before Chertsey Lock. On the backwater going past Chertsey Lock, which becomes the Abbey River
Abbey River
The Abbey River is a backwater of the River Thames in England, near Chertsey, Surrey. It runs from behind Penton Hook Island to below Chertsey Lock....
, is the site of the Anglo-Saxon Chertsey Abbey
Chertsey Abbey
Chertsey Abbey, dedicated to St Peter, was a Benedictine monastery located at Chertsey in the English county of Surrey.It was founded by Saint Erkenwald, later Bishop of London, in 666 AD and he became the first abbot. In the 9th century it was sacked by the Danes and refounded from Abingdon Abbey...
sacked by the Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
s. Chertsey Regatta
Chertsey Regatta
Chertsey in Shepperton Regatta is a regatta on the River Thames in England which takes place on Dumsey Meadow near Chertsey, Surrey.The regatta was inaugurated in 1851 and is one of the oldest on the river. Early records are sparse but it is known that in two years the regatta was held upstream of...
is held alongside Dumsey Meadow in August.
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....
follows the northern (Middlesex) bank all the way to Chertsey Lock.
Literature and the Media
The lock in Charles DickensCharles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend is the last novel completed by Charles Dickens and is one of his most sophisticated works, combining psychological insight with social analysis. It centres on, in the words of critic J. Hillis Miller, "money, money, money, and what money can make of life" but is also about human...
at Plashwater Mill is based on Shepperton lock.
In H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds is an 1898 science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells.The War of the Worlds may also refer to:- Radio broadcasts :* The War of the Worlds , the 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles...
one of the main battles fought against the invaders from Mars takes place between Weybridge and Shepperton lock.