Teddington Lock is a lock and weir situated on the River Thames in England, located at the boundary between the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the borough of Spelthorne in Surrey. It marks the tidal limit of the River Thames, separating the non-tidal river upstream from the tidal river downstream. The lock complex includes a lock for navigation, a weir to regulate water levels, and a footbridge.
Constructed in 1811 by the City of London Corporation, Teddington Lock replaced an earlier flash lock and has since undergone several modifications and rebuilds to improve navigation and flood control. The current structure includes a concrete and steel lock chamber, with the weir consisting of large moveable gates used to manage river flow, particularly during periods of high water.
Teddington Lock is an important site for river traffic, serving both commercial and recreational vessels. It is managed by the Environment Agency, which oversees navigation and water levels on the non-tidal Thames. The area is also known for rowing activities, with the nearby stretch of river used by numerous rowing clubs and hosting various regattas.
Adjacent to the lock is Teddington Lock Footbridge, connecting Teddington on the south bank to Ham on the north. The site is accompanied by a small marina and boathouses.
The lock plays a key role in flood alleviation for the Greater London area by controlling the release of water from the upper reaches of the Thames into the tidal section.