Hanham Lock

Hanham Lock

Hanham Lock (grid reference ST646700) is situated on the River Avon, at the village of Hanham near Bristol, England.

Hanham Lock is the first lock east of Netham where boats leave the Bristol Floating Harbour. A weir carries the river and boats use the adjacent lock. It is numbered as 1 and is officially the first on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It opened in 1727 and there used to be a colliery wharf just west of the lock, however the mines closed in the 19th century.[1]

The river below Hanham Lock is considered to be tidal, as high tides often pass over the weir at Netham. Some spring tides will also pass over the weir here, making the river tidal up to Keynsham Lock.[2]

The canal superintendent's house was built here, now a Grade II listed building, it is called "Picnic House".[3] In front of this house once stood Hanham Mills, an archway over the towpath being all that remained of the mills until 1897, when the Hanham Abbotts Parish Church had the archway demolished due to its poor state of repair.[4]

Just above the lock are some permanent and visitor moorings and two pubs.

References

  1. Allsop, Niall (1987). The Kennet & Avon Canal. Bath: Millstream Book. ISBN 0-948975-15-6.
  2. Nicholson Waterways Guide, Volume 7, 2006, Harper Collins Publishers, ISBN 0-00-721115-5
  3. "Picnic House". Images of England. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
  4. "Hanham Abbots". South Gloucestershire Council. Retrieved 2006-09-03.

See also

Next lock upstream River Avon, Bristol / Kennet and Avon Canal Next lock downstream
Keynsham Lock Hanham Lock
Grid reference: ST646700
Netham Lock
(exit from Bristol Harbour)