View source for Day's Lock

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
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{{Infobox waterlock
|lock_name   = Day's Lock
|image= DaysLock01.JPG
|caption= Sculler waits to enter Day's Lock while a cruiser tries to come out sideways
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint   = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first    = 1789
|latest   = 1925
|length = {{convert|46.93|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency" >{{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/135271.aspx |title=Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames |date=8 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=17 November 2012}} Dimensions given in metres</ref>
|width = {{convert|6.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|fall = {{convert|1.58|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency" />
|sealevel = 149'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 76 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
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| coordinates={{Coord|51.63834|N|1.17919|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU569936)|display=inline,title}}
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{{Days Lock map}}
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'''Day's Lock''' is a lock on the [[River Thames]] near [[Dorchester-on-Thames]], [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]] on the Dorchester side of the river.

The [[pound lock]] was built in 1789 by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioner]]. The lock is across the river from the small village of [[Little Wittenham]] and is overlooked from the south by the hills of [[Wittenham Clumps]], with a particularly good view from Round Hill.

The weir runs straight across the river from the other side of the lock island.

Day's Lock is the main gauging station for the measurement of the water flow in the River Thames.

The [[Thames Path]] crosses the river here.

The ''World [[Poohsticks]] Championships'', on behalf of the [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|RNLI]], have taken place annually here since 1983.

==History==

The name ''Day's Lock'' comes from the Day family, local [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] yeomen since the 17th century. During the 16th century, there was a [[flash lock]] here. The pound lock was staked out in August 1788. It was judged best to build it on the Oxfordshire bank provided the existing weir  owner would "remove his [[Eel buck|buck]]s"(eel traps). In 1865 it was reported to be in utter ruin and dangerous, but reconstruction did not take place until 1871. In 1882 a bell push to summon the keeper was installed, there being no lock keeper's house at that time.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The lock house was not built until 1928 when it was erected on Lock House Island next to Little Wittenham Bridge.

==Access to the lock==
A short way downstream of the lock is [[Little Wittenham Bridge]] which spans the river in two sections with an island between. Using this, the lock is a short walk from Little Wittenham where is a car park near St Peter's Church. The car park generally has spaces available. The lock is a little further to walk to from Dorchester.

==Reach above the lock==
[[File:DaysLock03.JPG|left|thumb|View from Round Hill. Day's Lock and the River Thames curving along the tree line to the left]]
On the eastern bank to the north-east is the historic town of [[Dorchester, Oxfordshire|Dorchester]] with its ancient [[Dorchester Abbey|Abbey]]. The river follows a long bend round to [[Clifton Hampden]]. Here it goes under [[Clifton Hampden Bridge]] and past the historic [[Barley Mow, Long Wittenham|Barley Mow]] public house, as mentioned in the book, ''[[Three Men in a Boat]]''. After the bridge and before Clifton lock, the river divides between the old river course, past [[Long Wittenham]]; with the navigation following the Clifton Cut. The river meander is now a weirstream and has almost no public footpath access.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''' follows the western/southern bank to Clifton Hampden Bridge, where it crosses to the opposite northern bank to continue to Clifton Lock.

There are [[navigation transit markers]] upstream of the lock to allow boats to check their speed. A powered boat should take more than one minute to pass between the markers.

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}}
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[List of crossings of the River Thames]]

[[File:DaysLock02.JPG|right|thumb|A paddle-driven river management craft enters the lock from upstream. Round Hill and Little Wittenham Bridge are in the background]]

==External links==
* [http://www.riverthames.co.uk/about_thames/3750.htm About the Thames — Day's Lock]
* [http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath/site.asp?PageId=24&SiteId=53&c=3 Thames Path — National Trails — Day's Lock]
* [http://www.berkshirehistory.com/archaeology/wittenham_scabbard.html Berkshire History: Two Iron Age Swords from Day's Lock, Little Wittenham]

{{River item box|table=start
|upstream=[[Clifton Lock]]<br/>{{convert|4.80|km|abbr=on}} <ref name="EnvAgency2" >{{cite web |url= http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/131811.aspx |title=Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames |date=19 November 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Environmental Agency |accessdate=20 November 2012}} Distances given in km</ref>
|downstream=[[Benson Lock]]<br/> {{convert|6.37|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="EnvAgency2" />|location=SU569936
}}{{River item box|table=middle|type=crossing
|upstream=[[Clifton Hampden Bridge]] (road)
|downstream=[[Little Wittenham Bridge]] (pedestrian)
}}{{River item box|table=end|type=crossing
|River=[[Thames Path]]
|upstream = southern bank <br />[[Clifton Hampden Bridge]]
|downstream = northern bank<br />[[Benson Lock]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:1789 establishments in England]]