Teddington lock is controlled by the Environment Agency, and is operated by keepers 24 hours a day, throughout the year. If you are planning to use the lock at night, a phone call is recommended to reduce your waiting time.

The phone number for Teddington lock is 020 8940 8723.

Passage through the lock is not affected by the tides below it, since the sluices at Richmond lock maintain a depth between high and "half" tide.

There are three locks at Teddington - the enormous barge lock, the still quite large launch lock, and the very small skiff lock.

Vital statistics
Barge lock length 650'0" width 24'9" maximum draught 8'7"
Launch lock length 177'11" width 24'4" maximum draught 9'2"
Skiff lock length 49'6" width 5'10" maximum draught 3'7"
Maximum fall for all three locks is 8'10"

Vessels using the small skiff lock are not subject to the above signals, and should proceed direct to the tail of this lock and await directions from the lock staff.

Do not enter the Barge lock just because you see it is open. The Launch lock is more suitable for smaller private craft, but is out of sight from the main channel to the right of the lock island on which the signals are placed.

A lay-by for mooring, to await lock opening is provided on the island between the signals and the Launch lock. When there is not much traffic it may be necessary to moor up and politely tell the lock keeper that you are waiting to pass through the lock!

Any craft not registered with the EA will need to be licensed before they may go upstream of Teddington. Visitors licenses may be purchased from the lock keeper, who will either sort out the paperwork while you are locking up or, more often, ask you to moor up once through the lock and walk back to the office.

More details on www.teddington-lock.co.uk

The Tideway pages are maintained by John Kennett
Comments, corrections and additions are always welcome