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Teddington to Kew

Now virtually devoid of all commercial traffic, the Thames below Teddington is quiet and unspoilt, a world apart from urbanised surroundings a few miles further down river. Teddington lock is not the point of no return that many imagine it to be -- although the fleets of hire cruisers let on the upper Thames are generally prohibited from venturing below the lock for insurance reasons. Navigation to Richmond is perfectly possible at all states of the tide, with the help of the Richmond lock and its tide barrier.

Below Richmond, the river winds past Isleworth, Old Deer Park, Kew Gardens and Syon Park. In Syon Reach there are numerous shoals on the Surrey side of the channel. If you draw more than 2'6" you would be well advised to avoid this reach around low water.

A mile and a half downriver from Richmond on the Middlesex bank is Brentford creek, and the entrance to the Grand Union Canal. From upstream the entrance is inconspicuous, so start preparing as you pass Syon park.

At Kew Bridge take the centre span, as there are often passenger boats berthing at or leaving Kew Gardens Pier, which is under the Surrey arch.

Tidal information

The river is fully tidal as far as Richmond. High tide at Brentford, 1.5 miles below Richmond, occurs approximately 1 hour after high tide at London Bridge. Between Teddington and Richmond, to maintain an adequate depth of water for navigation the river is kept above half-tide by the tide barrier at Richmond lock.

Teddington lock

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"

There are illuminated signals at the lower end of the lock island to direct traffic passing upstream through the locks. The signal lights are as follows:

Central red lights

Barge and launch locks not ready for upstream traffic.

Flashing red arrow pointing left

Barge lock not ready for upstream traffic. When lock is available the red arrow is replaced by a flashing white arrow.

Flashing red arrow pointing right

Launch lock not ready for upstream traffic. When lock is available the red arrow is replaced by a flashing white arrow.

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.