Garston Lock

Garston Lock (grid reference SU655707) is a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is near the M4 motorway and near Reading, England.

Garston Lock was built between 1718 and 1723 under the supervision of the engineer John Hore of Newbury, and this stretch of the river is now administered by Canal & River Trust and known as the Kennet Navigation. It has a rise/fall of 7 ft 7ins (2.29m).[1]

One of only two remaining working examples of turf sided locks on the canal[2] (the other being Monkey Marsh Lock[3]), Garston Lock has been described as needing "more water to operate than the now more common brick or stone-sided variety" as the sloping sides increase the volume of the lock.[4]

The two sets of lock gates work differently: the upper set operates via a mechanical system, while the lower gates are hydraulic.[5] The top part of the lock chamber has sloping banks which are covered by vegetation of various types rather than by turf. An arrangement of steel rails ensures that boats stay in the centre of the lock[6] during the rise/fall of 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m).

The lock is a grade II* listed building.[7]

Two pillboxes dating from World War II at the northwest[8] and southeast[9] corners of the lock, which were built as anti tank defences, are also listed buildings.

  • Pill Box at Garston Lock.
  • Canal Boat next to Pill Box at Garston Lock.

References
  1. Pearson, Michael (2003). Kennet & Avon Middle Thames:Pearson's Canal Companion. Rugby: Central Waterways Supplies. ISBN 0-907864-97-X.
  2. Allsop, Niall (1987). The Kennet & Avon Canal. Bath: Millstream Book. ISBN 0-948975-15-6.
  3. Shead, Jim. "All Change for the K&A". Waterways Information. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  4. "Garston Lock". Waterscape.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2006.
  5. "Garston Lock". English Heritage, Viewfinder. Retrieved 16 September 2006.
  6. "All change for the K&A". Retrieved 16 September 2006.
  7. "Garston Lock". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2006.
  8. "Pillbox at NW Corner of Garston GV Lock". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2006.
  9. "Pillbox at SE Corner of Garston GV Lock". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2006.

See also
  • Locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal
Next lock upstream River Kennet / Kennet and Avon Canal Next lock downstream
Sheffield Lock Garston Lock
Grid reference: SU655707		 Burghfield Lock

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