We didn’t have very far to go today so didn’t pull pins – or maybe that
should be unwrap the lines from the bollards – until 11am.
 |
| The King’s Arms from Sandford Lock |
It was down through Sandford Lock which is the site of one of the first
three pound locks built on the Thames in 1630. It was built in stone and was
rebuilt in 1795 and 1836. Over the years the lock has undergone many
modifications and updates, and little of the original construction
remains. The existing lock, the deepest
on the non-tidal Thames, was built alongside an earlier. In 1875 the nearby Sandford Paper Mill was
rebuilt requiring the head water level to be raised by 5 feet. This may explain
the need for such a deep lock-chamber.
 |
| Abingdon Lock |
We stopped at the services above Abingdon Lock before descending down
to Abingdon Meadows. Abingdon Lock's
history is as fascinating as it gets. At Swift Ditch there are remains of a
lock constructed around 1624 which is the oldest surviving lock chamber in the
UK, and possibly Europe. This ancient
lock - now acting as a weir - is near the top of the Swift Ditch, a meandering
stream that by-passes the town of Abingdon to the south. You can still see the
old brick chamber at the head of the Swift Ditch.
 |
| Abingdon Lock Weir |
You may have noticed that I have been writing a lot about the locks on
our return trip down the river. I didn’t
want to keep repeating things and found the Visit Thames website which is full
of interesting facts.
After mooring up Richard and I wandered up to the lock and then across
the weir and into the town – destination Waitrose! It was a much nicer, though longer, walk than
going up through the town but Muffin appreciated it. Shopping done it was a walk back to Mary H
through the town.
4.98 miles
2 locks
No comments:
Post a Comment