Locks to the River Thames

Boating on the Thames

Boating on the tidal Thames presents a unique set of challenges. For instance, it's not uncommon for the passage between Teddington and Limehouse to have waves over a metre tall with tidal flows above four knots. But for the experienced boater, it's well worth a go.

The River Thames flows downstream towards Docklands. But the tide is more powerful - it'll be either pushing water back up towards Teddington or pull it back towards the Docklands. If you're travelling on the Thames, you need to travel with the tide.

High tide (or high water) is the point at which the tide's direction switches. You'll want to be at your destination by then.

Boats travelling from Teddington to Brentford:
The usual advice is to lock into Teddington about 45 minutes after high water at London Bridge (about 45 minutes to Brentford)

Boats travelling from Brentford to Teddington:
The usual advice is to lock into Brentford about 60 to 90 minutes before high water at London Bridge (about 45 minutes to Brentford)

Boats travelling from Brentford to Limehouse:
The usual advice is to lock into Brentford about one hour after high water at London Bridge

Boats travelling from Limehouse to Brentford:
At this point ask yourself 'what time are you leaving Limehouse?'. Your arrival in Brentford will be about two and a half hours after that

When to use the tidal locks

So, using the tidal locks, therefore, depends on the tide. However, you can only use the tidal locks at Thames Lock Brentford, Limehouse, Bow and West India Dock Entrance when our team or volunteers are on site.

Find out more about how to book passage through each lock in the information below. You can double check for any planned or emergency lock closures on our stoppages page.

The Port of London

The Port of London (PLA) expects most vessels and especially those of 13.7m or more in length overall, to have an operational VHF radio onboard.

The PLA has information and a very useful guidance document on this.

• Teddington Lock can be contacted on 020 8940 8723
• Richmond Lock on 020 8940 0634
• Port of London Authority on 01474 562 200

Thames Lock 101, Brentford

If you have any problems with your booking or you're a contractor, please email our Customer Service Team, stating 'Thames Lock Booking' in the subject line of your email.

In your email please include:

• your name and telephone number
• your boat's name and index number
• the date and time you'd like to book for travel (taking into account tidal times)
• your direction of travel i.e. up from the Thames, down to the Thames (if you are coming from the direction of Teddington Lock or Limehouse Lock)

You are required to book the lock online at least two working days in advance.

Telephone and email bookings can be confirmed between 08:00 – 15:30, Monday – Friday.

Requests outside of the hours of 08:00 – 15:30 will be picked up for processing, the next working day.

Before you go on your journey, check lock closures on our stoppage pages. It is advised that when the Thames Barrier is closed for planned testing, we cannot operate Thames Lock. More information on planned closures for the Thames Barrier can be found here.

Limehouse Lock

You are required to book the lock online at least 2 working days in advance.

Telephone and email bookings can be confirmed between 08:00 – 15:30, Monday – Friday.

Requests outside of the hours of 08:00-15:30 will be picked up for processing, the next working day.

Limehouse Lock is not available for around two hours either side of low water at London Bridge.

In the summer (1 April to 31 October): the lock is open between 7am to 7pm.

In the winter (1 November to 31 March): the lock is open between 8am to 4pm.

Bow Lock

Bow Lock must be booked 7 days in advance. Availability is restricted to two hours either side of high water at London Bridge between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

To book the lock, please please email our Customer Service Team, stating 'Bow Lock Booking' in the subject line of your email.

In your email please include:

• your name and telephone number
• your boat's name and index number
• the date and time you'd like to book for travel (taking into account tidal times)
• your direction of travel ie. up from the Thames, down to the Thames (if you are coming from the direction of Teddington Lock or Limehouse Lock)

West India Dock Entrance

West India Lock must be booked seven days in advance. Availability is restricted to three hours either side of high water at North Woolwich. We can guarantee a lock booking between 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. For any operations outside these hours, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Please note that you will need to have full salvage cover/wreck removal insurance to enter West India Dock.

The West India Docks harbour regulations and guidance can be read here: West India and Millwall Docks Harbour Regulations and Guidance

To book the lock, please email us at [email protected], stating 'West India Dock Booking' in the subject line of your email.

In your email please include:

• your name and telephone number
• your boat's name and index number
• your boat’s LOA, Draft, Air Draft and Beam,
• lock in / out
• destination
• the date and time you'd like to book for travel (taking into account tidal times)
• high water
• your direction of travel i.e. up from the Thames, down to the Thames (if you are coming from the direction of Teddington Lock or Limehouse Lock)

Other information

If you've not been on our waterways before, you'll need to buy the appropriate licence first.

You'll need a valid boat safety certificate and current insurance cover.

Maximum craft dimensions for our London canals are: length 21.95m (72'), beam 3.96m (13'), air draft 2.13m (7').

In an emergency, call 0800 47 999 47.

Tide times

Tide times are available from the PLA website.