Teddington Lock - Reach Above The Lock

Reach Above The Lock

About half a mile above the lock is Trowlock Island close to the Middlesex bank, followed by Steven's Eyot in the centre of the river. There are then the bridges - Kingston Railway Bridge and Kingston Bridge. Raven's Ait is upstream of the bridges in the centre of the river which then curves sharply round to the right with Thames Ditton Island on the Surrey bank. Finally before Molesey Lock is Hampton Court Bridge.

On the Middlesex side of the river going upstream, the bank is built up as far as Hampton Wick at Kingston Bridge, with Teddington Studios, Lensbury Club and Trowlock Island on the way. Above the bridge is Hampton Court Park, which stretches as far as Hampton Court Bridge. The Longford River, which feeds the water features at the Palace, runs out of gratings opposite Raven's Ait and below the Water Gallery. After Hampton Court Bridge it is built up again along the side of the weir stream

On the Surrey side there is open space, including Canbury Gardens, until Kingston is reached. The Hogsmill joins the Thames above Kingston Bridge. The river side is then built up until it reaches the walls of the Seething Wells reservoirs and a marina just above Ravens Ait at Surbiton. Thames Ditton follows until beyond the end of Thames Ditton Island. There is a then patch of open space either side of the confluence of the River Mole, and River Ember which continues up to Hampton Court Bridge. Hampton Court railway station is behind the bridge and just above it is Molesey lock.

There are navigation transit markers between Kingston Bridge and Raven's Ait on the Hampton Court bank, to allow river users to check their speed. A powered boat should not pass between the markers in less than one minute.

The reach is home to at least five sailing clubs, five rowing clubs, two skiffing and punting clubs, the Royal Canoe Club and two Sea Cadet centres. In addition there is a heavy traffic of pleasure boats between Kingston and Hampton Court.

The Thames Path follows the Surrey side to Kingston Bridge where it crosses to go alongside Hampton Court Park, before returning to the Surrey side at Hampton Court Bridge. The river makes a large loop on this reach and the two locks are half the distance apart by land.