River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters
Facilities for boaters at Environment Agency lock sites on the non-tidal River Thames and the River Kennet.
If you are planning to boat on the River Thames, you may also find our distances and measurements for boaters page useful.
Using the locks
There will be assisted passage at some lock sites during lock keeper hours of duty. When assisted passage is not offered, locks will be self service on public power where public power is available.
Lock keepers work at Environment Agency locks to help boaters through the lock. You can also operate the lock yourself when a lock keeper is not there. To find out whether there will be a lock keeper on duty at the lock you are visiting check our River Thames lock keeper service page.
Full details of the service lock keepers offer on the River Thames are in the River Thames Customer Charter.
Lock keeper hours of duty
| Month | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9:15am to 1pm | 2pm to 4pm |
| February | 9:15am to 1pm | 2pm to 4pm |
| March | 9:15am to 1pm | 2pm to 4pm |
| April | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 5pm |
| May | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 6pm |
| June | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 6pm |
| July | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 6:30pm |
| August | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 6:30pm |
| September | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 6pm |
| October | 9am to 1pm | 2pm to 5pm |
| November | 9:15am to 1pm | 2pm to 4pm |
| December | 9:15am to 1pm | 2pm to 4pm |
Teddington Lock has a 24 hour service all year.
At all other locks, you need to operate the lock yourself when the blue ‘self service’ signs are displayed.
Operating the lock yourself
When lock keepers are not available you may work the lock yourself, at your own risk. Some locks have power, which makes them easier to operate.
Operating instructions are posted at locks. Read the operating instructions before you operate the lock.
If you are operating the lock yourself:
- stay close to the sluice controls while the sluices are in operation
- close the lock gates properly before slowly opening the sluices to fill or empty the lock
- leave the lock empty and shut the gates after use - there is often a public right of way over the gates
In an emergency you should close all sluices before dealing with the situation. Emergency contact details are displayed at each lock.
Camping at lock sites
Some Environment Agency lock sites on the River Thames have camping facilities. When planning to camp at an Environment Agency camp site, you will need to check the access routes. Many are only accessible by boat or on foot. Parking is not available at all lock camp sites.
Camping is available at the following sites between the stated dates:
- Rushey – 1 April to 31 October
- Shifford – Good Friday to 30 September
- Pinkhill – 1 April to 30 September
- Eynsham – all year
- Days (closed for 2021 season) – Good Friday to 30 September
- Hurley (closed for works to amenity block) – 1 April to 30 September
To ask about availability, call 03708 506 506 or email WaterwaysThames@environment-agency.gov.uk. State the dates and campsite you are interested in and the number of people and tents you want to book for.
Payment can be made on arrival at site during lock keeper hours of duty. You can pay by cash, cheque or credit or debit card.
Short stay mooring
Unless signs state otherwise, you are allowed to moor for up to 24 hours at Environment Agency short stay moorings.
You may have to pay a fee at some sites, either for mooring at any time, or after an initial free period.
Signs will usually show any applicable conditions and charges payable. By mooring, you are agreeing to them.
Call 03708 506 506 if you have any queries, including if you want to pre-book a short stay mooring. Please note, pre-booking is only available at selected locks.
Additional charges and penalties
Additional charges and penalties may apply if you do not comply with conditions of use. Penalties could include:
- suspension of your boat registration
- removal of your boat under court order (at the owner’s expense)
If we have issued warnings for the current river conditions that advise you not to navigate, these penalties will not apply. You should plan to move your boat from the mooring when it is safe to do so.
Where you can find Environment Agency short stay moorings
You can find short stay moorings at:
- Lechlade - Riverside Pub
- St John’s Lock - downstream
- Buscot Lock - upstream
- Shifford Lock - upstream - Electric boats are prioritised here if pre-booked by calling 03708 506 506 before 4pm on the day. After 4pm, mooring of electric/non-electric boats will be given on a first to arrive first to moor basis, but please note there is only room for 1 or 2 moorings.
- Northmoor Lock - upstream
- Eynsham Lock - upstream
- Eynsham Lock - downstream
- Kings Lock - upstream
- Kings Lock - downstream
- Oxford - East Street
- Iffley Lock - upstream
- Iffley Lock - downstream
- Sandford Lock - upstream
- Sandford Lock - downstream
- Abingdon Lock - upstream
- Culham Lock - upstream
- Clifton Lock - upstream
- Days Lock - upstream
- Benson Lock - upstream
- Cleeve Lock - downstream
- Goring Lock - upstream
- Goring Lock - downstream
- Goring - downstream of Goring Bridge
- Reading - Scours Lane (moor with care - water depth variable)
- Sonning - for 950 metres upstream of Sonning Lock (moor with care - water depth variable)
- Shiplake Lock - upstream
- Wargrave - opposite Lashbrook
- Hurley Lock - downstream
- Temple Lock - upstream
- Marlow - downstream of Marlow Lock
- Cookham Lock - downstream
- Boveney - opposite Maidenhead Road
- Boveney - downstream of Eton boathouse
- Boveney Lock - downstream
- Egham - towpath 620 metres upstream of Bell Weir Lock
- Bell Weir Lock - downstream
- Laleham - towpath between Blacksmiths Lane and Vicarage Lane
- Weybridge - opposite Shepperton Lock Island (Weybridge Point)
- Desborough - downstream end of Desborough Island on old river
- Walton - towpath opposite Shepperton Marina
- Walton - opposite Beasley’s Ait (Gridley Miskin)
- Sunbury - Weir Hotel
- Molesey - Hurst Park
MoleseyLock-upstream- Kingston - Railway Wharf
- Teddington Lock - upstream
Base mooring at lock sites
If you keep, or mainly use, your boat on the River Thames you must have a proper base mooring. This is somewhere to put your boat when you are not cruising, such as a marina berth.
If you live on your boat as your only place of residence, you need to have an approved residential mooring.
The Environment Agency offers base mooring at some lock sites. None of these sites allow residential mooring.
Where you can find Environment Agency base moorings
You can find base moorings at:
- St John’s Lock
- Buscot Lock
- Radcot Lock
- Shifford Lock
- Pinkhill Lock
- Eynsham Lock
- Kings Lock
- Godstow Lock
- Iffley Lock
- Abingdon Lock
- Days Lock
- Benson Lock
- Cleeve Lock
- Goring Lock
- Mapledurham Lock
- Blakes Lock
- Sonning Lock
- Shiplake Lock
- Marsh Lock
- Hambleden Lock
- Hurley Lock
- Temple Lock
- Cookham Lock
- Bray Lock
- Boveney Lock
- Old Windsor Lock
- Bell Weir Lock
- Penton Hook Lock
- Chertsey Lock
- Shepperton Lock
- Sunbury Lock
- Molesey Lock
Apply for an Environment Agency base mooring
To apply for an Environment Agency base mooring:
Send your completed application to RiverThames@environment-agency.gov.uk with ‘Thames Lock Mooring Application’ in the subject field or post to:
Thames Lock Mooring Applications
Environment Agency
Kings Meadow House
Kings Meadow Road
Reading RG1 8DQ
If we do not have a mooring available, we will add your details to our waiting list.
Enquiries about Environment Agency base moorings
Email RiverThames@environment-agency.gov.uk for all enquiries about Environment Agency base moorings on the River Thames.
You can also telephone the Environment Agency about moorings. Call 03708 506 506 and ask to speak to the Thames Waterways team.
Lock locations and other facilities
We have extended the cleaning contract of our public toilets until the end of May, so that they can remain open. For any sites that are not included in this contract, the public toilets will remain closed.
All showers at River Thames lock sites remain closed.
Many River Thames lock sites have additional facilities such as toilets, drinking water or waste disposal points. This list gives a guide of what is usually available. Some facilities may not be available at all times.
Electric powered boats
These have priority at our electric charging points. All boats will be charged for using the electric charging point no matter how long they moor for. If more than one electric powered vessel requires the point, fully charged vessels should free the point for other users. Electric charging point moorings are bookable only by electric powered vessels during the boating season (1 April to 31 October inclusive). They should be booked at least 48 hours in advance by emailing waterwaysthames@environment-agency.gov.uk (Mon-Fri) or directly with one of our lock and weir keepers. After 4 pm any un-booked electric charging point moorings will be available for any vessel wishing to use the point, on a first come first served basis. Electric charging points are only available overnight and must be vacated the next day. No return to the same electric charging point for 72 hours. Outside the boating season the above does not apply. However, should an electric powered vessel wish to use the mooring, any moored vessels need to be moved within 24hrs.
St John’s
Postcode: GL7 3HA
National grid reference: SU 22216 99042
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- electric charging point
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out
- recycling facilities
- refuse disposal
Buscot
Postcode: SN7 8DA
National grid reference: SU 23016 98092
- toilet
- shower
Grafton
Postcode: OX18 2RY
National grid reference: SU 27146 99233
Facilities include:
- toilet
- shower
- bulk supply water point
Radcot
Postcode: SN7 8JT
National grid reference: SP 29649 00199
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
Rushey
Buckland Marsh, Faringdon, Oxfordshire
Postcode: SN7 8RF
National grid reference: SP 32301 00075
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- shower
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out (currently unavailable)
- recycling facilities
- refuse disposal
Shifford
Chimney, Bampton, Oxfordshire
Postcode: OX18 2EJ
National grid reference: SP 37049 01064
Facilities include:
- toilet
- shower
- bulk supply water point
- electric charging point
Northmoor
Postcode: OX13 5JP
National grid reference: SP 43143 02137
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Pinkhill
Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshire
Postcode: OX29 4JH
National grid reference: SP 44063 07130
Facilities include:
- toilet
- shower
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Eynsham
Swinford, Witney, Oxfordshire
Postcode: OX29 4BY
National grid reference: SP 44471 08649
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- shower
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out
- recycling facilities
- refuse disposal
Kings
Postcode: OX2 8PY
National grid reference: SP 47901 10267
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Godstow
Postcode: OX2 8PJ
National grid reference: SP 48509 08945
No facilities.
Osney
Postcode: OX2 0AX
National grid reference: SP 50359 05861
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Iffley
Postcode: OX4 4EJ
National grid reference: SP 52574 03667
No facilities.
Sandford
Postcode: OX4 4YD
National grid reference: SP 53105 01336
Facilities include:
- electric charging point
Abingdon
Postcode: OX14 3NW
National grid reference: SU 50646 97113
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out
- refuse disposal
Culham
Postcode: OX14 4NE
National grid reference: SU 50767 94872
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Clifton
Postcode: OX14 3EH
National grid reference: SU 54699 94720
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Days
Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Postcode: OX14 4RB
National grid reference: SU 56882 93586
Facilities include:
- chemical toilet disposal
- refuse disposal
Benson
Postcode: OX10 6SL
National grid reference: SU 61303 91263
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- electric charging point
Cleeve
Postcode: RG8 0JY
National grid reference: SU 60064 81820
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
Goring
Postcode: RG8 9AE
National grid reference: SU 59679 80876
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- electric charging point
- recycling facilities
- refuse disposal
Whitchurch
Postcode: RG8 7DJ
National grid reference: SU 63438 76828
No facilities.
Mapledurham
Postcode: RG8 8BE
National grid reference: SU 66759 76806
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out (currently unavailable)
- recycling facilities
- refuse disposal
Caversham
Postcode: RG1 8BP
National grid reference: SU 72063 74033
No facilities.
Blakes (River Kennet)
Postcode: RG1 3DS
National grid reference: SU 72735 73533
No facilities.
Sonning
Postcode: RG4 6UR
National grid reference: SU 75242 75443
Facilities include:
- toilet
Shiplake
Postcode: RG9 3NA
National grid reference: SU 77647 78675
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
- electric charging point
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out
- refuse disposal
Marsh
Postcode: RG9 4HB
National grid reference: SU 77408 81668
No facilities.
Hambleden
Postcode: RG9 3AZ
National grid reference: SU 78206 85157
Facilities include:
- recycling facilities (glass only)
- refuse disposal
Hurley
Mill Lane, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Postcode: SL6 5ND
National grid reference: SU 82692 84267
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- shower (available for overnight moorers and campers only)
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
- chemical toilet disposal
- refuse disposal
Temple
Postcode: SL7 2FL
National grid reference: SU 83717 84374
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Marlow
Postcode: SL7 1QE
National grid reference: SU 85432 86093
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Cookham
Odney Lane, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Postcode: SL6 9SR
National grid reference: SU 90550 85516
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- shower
- bulk supply water point
- electric charging point (currently unavailable)
- chemical toilet disposal
- refuse disposal
Boulters
Postcode: SL6 8PE
National grid reference: SU 90285 82391
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Bray
Postcode: SL6 0EE
National grid reference: SU 91007 79769
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
Boveney
Postcode: SL4 6QQ
National grid reference: SU 94456 77767
Facilities include:
- toilet
- shower
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out
- refuse disposal
Romney
Postcode: SL4 6HU
National grid reference: SU 97002 77872
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Old Windsor
Postcode: SL4 2JZ
National grid reference: SU 99494 74819
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- electric charging point
Bell Weir
Postcode: TW20 0AA
National grid reference: TQ 01727 72060
Facilities include:
- toilet
Penton Hook
Postcode: TW18 2JA
National grid reference: TQ 04390 69487
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- refuse disposal
Chertsey
Postcode: KT16 8LD
National grid reference: TQ 05427 66839
Facilities include:
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
Shepperton
Postcode: TW17 9LJ
National grid reference: TQ 07364 65908
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- chemical toilet disposal
Sunbury
Postcode: KT12 2JD
National grid reference (new lock): TQ 10964 68544
National grid reference (old lock): TQ 10960 68559
Facilities include:
- toilet (accessible)
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- chemical toilet disposal
Molesey
Postcode: KT8 9AW
National grid reference: TQ 15146 68606
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
- bulk supply water point
- electric charging point
- chemical toilet disposal
- sewage pump-out
- refuse disposal
Teddington
Postcode: TW11 9NG
National grid reference (barge lock): TQ 16579 71652
National grid reference (launch lock): TQ 16624 71588
National grid reference (skiff lock): TQ 16630 71576
Facilities include:
- toilet
- drinking water tap (for portable containers only)
Email updates and newsletter
You can subscribe to newsletters about navigation on the River Thames and email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions.
To subscribe to this service, email riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.
Say whether you want to subscribe to:
- closures and restrictions emails
- newsletter emails
- both
We will use your personal information in line with our privacy notice.
Last updated
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Molesey Lock - upstream short stay mooring removed, as mooring space required for water point use.
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Grey box about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on some services and restricted service at Teddington lock has been removed. Teddington Lock has returned to normal 24 hour service.
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Campsites at locks now open. Grey box about campsite closure during Covid-19 removed.
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Information added about electric powered boats and how to use electric charging points on the River Thames. Also contact details for Thames Lock Base Mooring applications has been changed.
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Update to Teddington service restrictions.
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Edited COVID-19 section on campsites - Environment Agency campsites will remain closed.
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Using the locks: Teddington Lock is now back to normal service.
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Updates to campsite availability - Days and Hurley
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Updated campsite re-opening information
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Link to lock keeper service page added under using the locks.
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Under Short stay moorings, clarification about Shifford lock and electric boat mooring there.
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Lock locations and other facilities: references to bulk water supply updated to reflect that anyone wishing to use our mains water supply points will need to provide their own hose if necessary.
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You can now buy short term boat registrations at locks. Some locks will now offer assisted passage. The cleaning contract for some toilets has been extended to the end of May. We have resumed charging for short stay moorings, sewage pump-outs and electric charging points.
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Facilities at Teddington Lock: Water hose (for bulk supplies) removed as this service is not available.
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Camping at Cookham Lock removed, facility no longer available at this site.
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Updates to COVID-19 information
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Short stay moorings: updated wording about conditions, additional charges and penalties.
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Short stay mooring: Information added to clarify that if you stay longer than you are allowed at an EA short stay mooring because we have issued river condition warnings that advise you not to navigate, a penalty will not apply. You should plan to move your boat from the mooring when it is safe to do so.
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St John's lock sewage pump out now available again
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Registering your boat at a lock: 7 additional lock sites will now provide this facility. Lock locations and other facilities: You can now pay for electric charging and sewage pump-out facilities at some lock sites, subject to staff availability. Toilets have been reopened at some lock sites.
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Removed: 'Please note that Benson Lock charging point is currently unavailable' as it has now been fixed.
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5 new lock sites added where you can buy short period launch registrations and unpowered registrations when a lock keeper is on duty.
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The public power at Hurley Lock is now working again.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) information updated as we are now offering assisted passage at all locks.
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Information regarding Hurley Lock on hand wind until Wed 12 August added to 'Using the locks' section.
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We are now able to offer assisted passage at all locks except Boulters Lock in Maidenhead, subject to staff availability. Short period and unpowered boat registrations can now be purchased at Caversham, Sonning and Teddington Locks. Information on sewage pump-out availability has been updated.
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Update on using the locks: Boulters and Bray locks will not offer assisted passage. All other locks have measures in place to offer assisted passage, subject to staff availability.
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Clarification that Visitor licences can currently be bought from Teddington Lock only. Also minor change to Camping at locksites to remove reference to 4 July which has passed.
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Coronavirus updates to the using the locks and lock locations and other facilities sections
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Assisted passage information updated: More locks may now offer assisted passage. Camping information updated: River Thames campsites will not reopen on Saturday 4 July 2020.
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We have started to offer assisted passage at some locks where it is safe to do so. A list of locks where assisted passage may be offered has been added to the page. This list will be updated as needed.
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As of 1 June 2020, normal time restrictions are in place on Environment Agency short stay moorings.
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Updated information about using the locks - public power has been restored at the locks that have it installed.
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Information about using the locks updated. Powered operation will be available at some locks. Information added about short stay moorings. Time restrictions on short stay moorings will resume from 1 June 2020.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) information added: some sewage pump-outs closed. Information on how to access pump-out facilities added.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) information added: some services will be restricted until further notice. We will not provide assisted passage or powered operation at locks. If you need to go through a lock, you will need to hand wind it.
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Corrections to list of short stay mooring sites. Added Kings Lock (downstream) and extra detail to Egham and Desborough.
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First published.