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London Canals, Navigations and Locks

The London waterways have a number of Tidal
and Non-tidal Locks.

We were cruising the London area in June and July 2008. Having cruised The GUC, entire Paddington Arm, Hartford Canal, River Lee Navigation, Limehouse Cut and the River Thames from Brentford towards Oxford. We were unable to cruise the 'Bow Backs', due to London 2012 Olympic construction works or the Limehouse to Brentford section of the River Thames as we believed the passage to be too rough for our narrowboat. It was not practicable for us to cruise the tidal River Lea below Bow Locks.

In London the non-tidal River Thames above Teddington Lock is Environment Agency (EA) water so you will need an EA Permit to cruise there; permits are available: by the day, 15 day or 30 days; purchase obtainable from the Teddington Lock keeper.

Thames locks at and above Teddington are all operated by EA staff; please follow their directions.

The Tidal River Thames is controlled by the Port of London Authority and you will need a valid British Waterways (BW) Licence to cruise here.

All boaters wishing to enter or leave the River Thames through tidal locks are requested to contact the appropriate lock office at least 24 hours before passage is required. Bookings can be made seven days a week between 08.00 and 14.00. If the lock is not manned at the time of your call; leave a message with your name and contact number and the lock keeper will get back to you. All bookings must be confirmed with the lock office staff upon arrival, when boaters will be advised of the local weather and water conditions that may affect their passage.

Tidal Locks to the Grand Union and Regents Canal, Rivers Lee and Stort Navigations and London Docklands are:

The Thames Lock, Brentford (Grand Union Canal [GUC]). - Manned during the hours of operation only. Tel: 020 8568 2779

Limehouse Lock, Limehouse (Limehouse Cut) - Manned 08.00 to 18.00 (summer) and 08.00 to 16.00 (winter). The lock is available roughly two hours either side of low water. There are four risers each side of the lock - have your lines ready - follow the instructions of the lock keeper.

Bow Locks, River Lee and Stort Navigations. - Tel: 020 7308 9930

West India Dock Entrance Lock, Isle of Dogs. - Tel: 020 7517 5550

The four locks above are not boater self-operated.

To operate the remaining locks in the BW London area boaters will require a BW key and/or windlass.