At all other locks, you need to operate the lock yourself when the blue ‘self service’ signs are displayed.
Operating the lock yourself
Operating instructions are posted at locks. Read the operating instructions before you operate the lock.
If you are operating the lock yourself:
stay close to the sluice controls while the sluices are in operation
close the lock gates properly before slowly opening the sluices to fill or empty the lock
leave the lock empty and shut the gates after use - there is often a public right of way over the gates
In an emergency you should close all sluices before dealing with the situation. Emergency contact details are displayed at each lock.
Camping at lock sites
We are sorry to have to inform you that we have closed all Environment Agency campsites at our River Thames lock sites.
The Environment Agency are reviewing all aspects of our campsite management to ensure we have suitable arrangements in place to meet our statutory obligations and all other legal responsibilities for the sites.
Short stay mooring
Unless signs state otherwise, you are allowed to moor for up to 24 hours at Environment Agency short stay moorings.
You may have to pay a fee at some sites, either for mooring at any time, or after an initial free period.
Signs will usually show any applicable conditions and charges payable. By mooring, you are agreeing to them.
Ask about short stay mooring availability
Call 03708 506 506 if you have any queries, including if you want to pre-book a short stay mooring. You can only pre-book at selected locks.
You may get a penalty or have to pay additional charges if you do not follow the conditions of use. Penalties could include:
suspension of your boat registration
removal of your boat under court order (at the owner’s expense)
If the Environment Agency has issued warnings for the current river conditions that advise you not to navigate, these penalties will not apply. You should plan to move your boat from the mooring when it is safe to do so.
Electric charging point moorings
Electric powered boats have priority at Environment Agency electric charging point moorings.
Any boat using the electric charging point at an Environment Agency mooring for any length of time will be charged for this service.
You should move a fully charged boat away from the charging point if there is another boat waiting to use it.
During the boating season (1 April to 31 October inclusive) you can only book electric charging point moorings for electric powered boats. Book at least 48 hours in advance by emailing waterwaysthames@environment-agency.gov.uk (monitored Monday to Friday).
Electric charging point moorings are only available for 24 hours and boats must not return to the same electric charging point for 72 hours.
After 4pm any electric charging point moorings not booked will be available to any boat, whether electric powered or not, on a first come first serve basis.
Outside the boating season, the previous information does not apply. However, you must move any boat moored at an Environment Agency electric charging point mooring within 24 hours if an electric powered boat requests to use the service.
Environment Agency short stay mooring locations
You can pre-book short stay moorings at the following locations (if spaces are available) by contacting us at least 5 working days (Monday to Friday) in advance of your proposed mooring date.
Please include the following information in your short stay mooring request:
Date of booking
Mooring type
Mooring location (including upstream or downstream)
Full name
Contact details (email and phone number)
Boat name
Boat length
Short stay mooring locations:
St John’s Lock island - downstream (can pre-book)
Buscot Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Shifford Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Northmoor Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Eynsham Lock - upstream
Eynsham Lock - downstream
Kings Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Kings Lock - downstream
Oxford - East Street - closed until further notice
Iffley Lock - upstream
Iffley Lock - downstream
Sandford Lock and island - upstream (can pre-book)
Sandford Lock island - downstream (can pre-book)
Abingdon Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
Culham Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
Clifton Lock - upstream (can pre-book)
Days Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Benson Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Cleeve Lock - downstream
Goring Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Goring Lock island - downstream
Goring - downstream of Goring Bridge
Reading - Scours Lane (moor with care - water depth variable)
Sonning - for 225 metres upstream of Sonning Lock (moor with care - water depth variable)
Shiplake Lock island - upstream (can pre-book)
Wargrave - opposite Lashbrook
Hurley Lock island - downstream (clubs can pre-book)
Temple Lock island - upstream
Temple Lock - downstream
Marlow - downstream of Marlow Lock (currently closed)
Cookham Lock island - downstream (clubs can pre-book)
Dorney Reach - opposite Queens Eyot
Boveney - upstream of Eton boathouse (PG Point)
Boveney - downstream of Eton boathouse
Boveney Lock island - downstream (can pre-book)
Runnymede - downstream of Runnymede Pleasure Ground
Bell Weir Lock island - downstream
Staines - between Runnymede Bridge and Staines Bridge (Staines Wharf)
Staines - opposite Memorial Gardens
Staines - between Riverbank Apartments and Wheatsheaf Lane
Laleham - between Blacksmiths Lane and Vicarage Lane (Laleham Wharf)
Weybridge - opposite Shepperton Lock island (Weybridge Point)
Shepperton - downstream end of Desborough Island on old river
Walton - opposite Shepperton Marina
Walton - opposite Beasley’s Ait (Gridley Miskin)
Molesey - Hurst Park
Kingston - Railway Wharf
Kingston - Stevens Eyot
Base mooring at lock sites
If you keep, or mainly use, your boat on the River Thames you must have a proper base mooring. This is somewhere to put your boat when you are not cruising, such as a marina berth.
If you live on your boat as your only place of residence, you need to have an approved residential mooring.
The Environment Agency offers base mooring at some lock sites. None of these sites allow residential mooring.
Where you can find Environment Agency base moorings
Many River Thames lock sites have additional facilities such as toilets, drinking water or waste disposal points. This list gives a guide of what is usually available. Some facilities may not be available at all times.
Update to Environment Agency short stay mooring locations. Oxford - East Street - closed until further notice
21 January 2025
Update to lock facilities. Mapledurham Lock sewage pump-out now available - 21 January 2025.
20 January 2025
Update to lock facilities. Mapledurham Lock sewage pump-out currently not in service until further notice,
23 November 2024
Wargrave (Lashbrook) short stay mooring available.
17 October 2024
Update to lock facilities. Temple toilets and drinking water tap now open - Thursday 17 October 2024.
15 October 2024
Update to lock facilities. Temple toilets and drinking water tap currently closed - Tuesday 15 October 2024.
2 October 2024
River Thames: locks and facilities updated Wednesday 2 October 2024. Molesey sewage pump-out fixed.
11 September 2024
Update to lock facilities. St John's Lock sewage pump-out is currently unavailable. This page will be updated with further information when available.
10 September 2024
Update to lock facilities. The chemical toilet disposal is now open at Hurley Lock. The chemical toilet disposal at Shiplake Lock is currently closed until further notice. This page will be updated with further information as soon as possible.
2 September 2024
The electric charging point at Old Windsor Lock is currently unavailable until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
30 August 2024
Updated list of facilities at Hurley Lock.
12 August 2024
Refuse disposal at Hurley Lock now available for use. Accessible toilets at Hurley Lock will be closed temporarily from 6pm Monday 12 August to Wednesday 14 August 2024.
6 August 2024
Shiplake Lock refuse disposal currently unavailable. This page will be updated with further information when possible.
23 July 2024
Molesey Lock pump out is currently closed. Engineers will be on site shortly. We will update this page with further information.
17 July 2024
Update to lock facilities. Bulk supply water point at Shifford Lock now available for use.
12 July 2024
Update to lock facilities. Rushey Lock pump-out is currently out of order. This page will be updated with further information when available.
8 July 2024
The bulk supply water point at Shifford Lock is currently closed until further notice. This page will be updated once repairs are completed.
26 June 2024
Teddington Lock removed from Environment Agency short stay mooring locations. Mooring at Teddington Lock is limited to boaters transiting the lock and awaiting the tide.
7 June 2024
Update to availability of facilities at Hambleden, Hurley and Cookham Locks.
7 June 2024
Hurley Lock refuse disposal is closed until further notice. We will update this page when the refuse disposal has reopened.
7 June 2024
The bulk supply water point at Grafton is now open.
31 May 2024
Sewage pump-outs at St John's and Rushey Locks have now been fixed and are available for use.
31 May 2024
The bulk water supply point at Grafton Lock is currently closed. This page will be updated once the supply point is reopened.
13 May 2024
The sewage pump-out at Rushey Lock is currently closed. This page will be updated once we have further information.
19 April 2024
Due to recent high water levels the sewage pump-out at St John's is currently closed. This page will be updated with more information as soon as possible.
11 April 2024
The bulk water supply point at Cleeve Lock is now available.
8 April 2024
Facilities at Cookham Lock are now open.
15 March 2024
Due to recent flooding, the bulk water supply point at Cleeve Lock will be closed until further notice.
13 February 2024
Due to works underway at Cookham Lock all mooring and lock facilities have been suspended until further notice.
27 November 2023
Molesey Lock sewage pump-out back in service.
25 November 2023
Update to lock facilities. Molesey sewage pump-out is out of service until further notice.
15 November 2023
Buscot and Blakes removed from list of lock base moorings, as these are not available.
5 October 2023
The chemical toilet disposal at Molesey Lock will be closed for essential maintenance from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October 2023.
11 September 2023
Updates to list of short stay moorings. Molesey chemical toilet disposal now open.
29 August 2023
The chemical toilet disposal point at Molesey Lock will be closed from Tuesday 29 August to Friday 1 September for maintenance work.
22 August 2023
The chemical toilet disposal point at Molesey Lock will be closed on Tuesday 29 August for maintenance work.
27 July 2023
Eynsham Lock shower facility reopen.
24 July 2023
Molesey Lock: chemical toilet disposal and refuse disposal re-opened.
18 July 2023
Base mooring at lock sites: Bell Weir Lock removed as this facility is not available.
17 July 2023
Molesey Lock: From Thursday 20 to Friday 21 July 2023 the chemical toilet disposal and refuse disposal point will be closed for maintenance.
13 July 2023
Days Lock chemical toilet disposal now open. Days Lock drinking water tap added (for portable containers only).
11 July 2023
Molesey sewage pump-out back in service.
22 June 2023
River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters updated Thursday 22 June 2023. Chemical toilet disposal point at Days Lock is currently closed until further notice.
14 June 2023
River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters updated Wednesday 14 June 2023. Molesey pump-out is out of service
12 June 2023
River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters updated Monday 12 June. Beam width restriction added to Old Windsor electric charging point.
5 June 2023
Lock locations and other facilities: Sewage pump-out at Molesey no longer out of service.
2 June 2023
Eynsham Lock offers short stay mooring, but is not available to pre-book.
22 May 2023
Temple Footbridge upstream of Temple Lock remains closed. A diversion has been agreed with the relevant agencies and is signposted.
17 May 2023
Godstow Lock removed from list of locks that provide base mooring.
15 May 2023
Due to safety concerns we have had to close Temple Footbridge from today, Monday 15 May, until further notice. We are working with the relevant agencies to put a diversion in place.
4 May 2023
We are sorry to have to inform you that we have closed all Environment Agency campsites at our River Thames lock sites for the remainder of this year. The Environment Agency are reviewing all aspects of our campsite management to ensure we have suitable arrangements in place to meet our statutory obligations and all other legal responsibilities for the sites.
2 May 2023
Under Lock Locations and other Facilities: Blakes Lock - Out of date information about portage removed. Portage is available now.
27 March 2023
The Environment Agency short stay moorings below Marlow Lock are temporarily closed. The wooden edge of the moorings needs repair, and the moorings will remain closed until the repairs are complete. Hurley and Cookham short stay moorings are pre-bookable by clubs only; information amended to clarify this.
20 March 2023
Lock facilities updated. Blake's Lock portage closed Tuesday 21 March to Friday 24 March 2023.
17 February 2023
Availability of facilities at locks updated.
30 January 2023
River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters page updated. Update to Marsh Lock facilities concerning Marsh Horse Bridge closure.
11 January 2023
Added updates on the availability of some lock services. Removed out of date information. Added general Environment Agency contact details at the end of the guide.
16 September 2022
Under 'Lock locations and other facilities' Rushey Lock sewage pump-out facility is available again. No recycling facility at this lock.
1 September 2022
Cookham Lock base mooring and campsite removed as these facilities are not currently available.
22 August 2022
1. Under Short stay moorings, those which can be prebooked have been identified with asterisks.
2. Under facilities at locks. Electric charge point at Molesey removed as this is no longer available for the foreseeable future due to operational issues.
Under Lock locations and other facilities, Mapledurham sewage pump-out is back in use and available with a token which can be purchased from the lock.
16 May 2022
Electric powered boat guidance has been re-worded to make it clearer.
12 May 2022
Camp site availability has been updated to reflect 2022 season.
21 April 2022
Molesey Lock - upstream short stay mooring removed, as mooring space required for water point use.
4 April 2022
Grey box about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on some services and restricted service at Teddington lock has been removed.
Teddington Lock has returned to normal 24 hour service.
1 April 2022
Campsites at locks now open. Grey box about campsite closure during Covid-19 removed.
24 January 2022
Information added about electric powered boats and how to use electric charging points on the River Thames. Also contact details for Thames Lock Base Mooring applications has been changed.
20 December 2021
Update to Teddington service restrictions.
16 July 2021
Edited COVID-19 section on campsites - Environment Agency campsites will remain closed.
22 June 2021
Using the locks: Teddington Lock is now back to normal service.
17 June 2021
Updates to campsite availability - Days and Hurley
16 June 2021
Updated campsite re-opening information
2 June 2021
Link to lock keeper service page added under using the locks.
24 May 2021
Under Short stay moorings, clarification about Shifford lock and electric boat mooring there.
14 May 2021
Lock locations and other facilities: references to bulk water supply updated to reflect that anyone wishing to use our mains water supply points will need to provide their own hose if necessary.
19 April 2021
You can now buy short term boat registrations at locks. Some locks will now offer assisted passage. The cleaning contract for some toilets has been extended to the end of May. We have resumed charging for short stay moorings, sewage pump-outs and electric charging points.
29 March 2021
Facilities at Teddington Lock: Water hose (for bulk supplies) removed as this service is not available.
16 March 2021
Camping at Cookham Lock removed, facility no longer available at this site.
14 January 2021
Updates to COVID-19 information
9 December 2020
Short stay moorings: updated wording about conditions, additional charges and penalties.
5 October 2020
Short stay mooring: Information added to clarify that if you stay longer than you are allowed at an EA short stay mooring because we have issued river condition warnings that advise you not to navigate, a penalty will not apply. You should plan to move your boat from the mooring when it is safe to do so.
1 October 2020
St John's lock sewage pump out now available again
25 September 2020
Registering your boat at a lock: 7 additional lock sites will now provide this facility. Lock locations and other facilities: You can now pay for electric charging and sewage pump-out facilities at some lock sites, subject to staff availability. Toilets have been reopened at some lock sites.
21 August 2020
Removed: 'Please note that Benson Lock charging point is currently unavailable' as it has now been fixed.
20 August 2020
5 new lock sites added where you can buy short period launch registrations and unpowered registrations when a lock keeper is on duty.
14 August 2020
The public power at Hurley Lock is now working again.
11 August 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information updated as we are now offering assisted passage at all locks.
7 August 2020
Information regarding Hurley Lock on hand wind until Wed 12 August added to 'Using the locks' section.
31 July 2020
We are now able to offer assisted passage at all locks except Boulters Lock in Maidenhead, subject to staff availability. Short period and unpowered boat registrations can now be purchased at Caversham, Sonning and Teddington Locks. Information on sewage pump-out availability has been updated.
27 July 2020
Update on using the locks: Boulters and Bray locks will not offer assisted passage. All other locks have measures in place to offer assisted passage, subject to staff availability.
20 July 2020
Clarification that Visitor licences can currently be bought from Teddington Lock only.
Also minor change to Camping at locksites to remove reference to 4 July which has passed.
16 July 2020
Coronavirus updates to the using the locks and lock locations and other facilities sections
3 July 2020
Assisted passage information updated: More locks may now offer assisted passage. Camping information updated: River Thames campsites will not reopen on Saturday 4 July 2020.
24 June 2020
We have started to offer assisted passage at some locks where it is safe to do so. A list of locks where assisted passage may be offered has been added to the page. This list will be updated as needed.
5 June 2020
As of 1 June 2020, normal time restrictions are in place on Environment Agency short stay moorings.
28 May 2020
Updated information about using the locks - public power has been restored at the locks that have it installed.
22 May 2020
Information about using the locks updated. Powered operation will be available at some locks. Information added about short stay moorings. Time restrictions on short stay moorings will resume from 1 June 2020.
30 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information added: some sewage pump-outs closed. Information on how to access pump-out facilities added.
27 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information added: some services will be restricted until further notice. We will not provide assisted passage or powered operation at locks. If you need to go through a lock, you will need to hand wind it.
28 February 2020
Corrections to list of short stay mooring sites. Added Kings Lock (downstream) and extra detail to Egham and Desborough.