Monkey Marsh Lock

[JamesT]

This lock just near to Thatcham Railway Station, is of a rather old and unusual type, with sloping turf upper walls and timber lower parts. It was originally built in the 1720's for the Kennet Navigation (from Reading to Newbury) which predated the Kennet & Avon Canal that continues the navigation to Bath and thence to Bristol by some 90 years. This type of lock was used for most if not all of the original locks but only this one & Garston survive (it's not clear from the information board if they are the only ones in the country or just on the Kennet). The others were replaced by more familiar brick sided locks that use less water.

 

[Ryewolf]

Well, it's certainly unusual, I've not seen any like that on any of the canals that I've seen.

[Denis]

I have never seen a lock like that either,a good study of an unusual piece of engineering!

[Korky]

Me neither - very unusual.

Korky

[Clicker]

A first for me too James ...Thanks for that  .... some interesting  facts learned  too ..

[JamesT]

Thanks for the interest everyone. I'd never heard of it before  either. 

It's not clear to me whether that type of construction was normal for early pound locks[*], or if it was unique to the Kennet navigation, but whichever there are few left. The BBOWT guide for the walk I was doing mentioned it as worth noticing but didn't go into details.

[*] A pound lock is the familiar type with a gate at each end, as opposed to the earlier "flash locks" which sound pretty hairy.