Marlow Lock

A weir at Marlow is recorded in Domesday Book, and there are 14th century records of a winch to pull traffic through a flash lock. The lock was very problematical and in the 16th and 17th century there are accounts of conflicts between millers and navigators. A particular problem was the shallow draught. The first pound lock was built of fir in 1773, the seventh downstream of the eight built after the 1770 navigation act. It was upstream of the present lock and still proved problematical. Rollers were needed to guide barges in, and as there was no towpath, barges needed tow ropes several hundred feet long. The lock needed extensive repairs in 1780 and a year later eel bucks had to be…

The lock is easily accessible, being located on the town side, accessed via a short footpath off Mill Lane. In Marlow town the Thames Path passes through town back streets including Mill Lane, so the short diversion is required to visit the lock.