Boulters Lock

Boulters Lock, located alongside the bustling A4094, was formerly called Ray Mill Lock, after the adjacent mill owned by the Ray family who produced flour.

The first documented records show that there was a flash lock here in the 17th century. It built up a head of water to power the mills and a section of the weir would be moved to allow boats and barges through.

A wooden pound lock was built here in 1770. In times past, about 70,000 tons of cargo would pass through the lock every year. The mills were converted to Boulter’s Inn in 1950. The word ‘bolter’ is an old English word for miller, hence the name Boulter’s Lock. The early wooden beams were removed in the 1960s when the lock was converted to hydraulic operation.

During Victorian times, Boulters Lock became notorious as thousands of people flocked to the river here to mess about on the river and simply watch the idle rich indulge themselves.

A variety of wildlife is to be seen here, including kingfishers, Egyptian geese, Chinese Mandarin ducks, and parakeets which now inhabit the region.

Next to the lock is Ray Mill Island, a beautifully quiet place on which stands an aviary, gardens and a small lake. It is open to the public.

The last Salmon ladder to be built on the Thames was opened at Boulters Weir on 19 May 2000 by the Duke of Wellington. This completed the current programme and all the weirs from Teddington to Mapledurham now have ladders installed.

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