Aldermaston Lock.
It is so nice to be back on the canal. Not on our boat, unfortunately, but on a hire boat. We are being put up whilst the work on our own boat is over-running.
Aldermaston Lock (original called “Brewhouse Lock”, after the adjacent Strange’s Brewery) is a very photogenic location. A Grade II Listed structure, it was rebuilt when the canal was restored. It was originally a turf-sided lock, like the rest on this section of the canal (essentially the River Kennet). It was one of two that had scalloped brickwork in the lower part, rather than the more common wooden planks.
The settlement on the canal is strictly called Aldermaston Wharf. The village of Aldermaston itself is a mile or so to the south. The railway station is just to the north of the canal. Originally, there were sidings connecting with a small basin. This was on a short length of canal running from between Aldermaston Lock and the lift bridge.
The rebuilding during restoration saw the brickwork extended to the top. A line of blue engineering bricks, which can be seen when the lock is empty, shows the limit of the original brickwork.
Although this view of Aldermaston Lock is looking east, the colour from the setting sun behind the camera is reflected in the clouds. The full lock is reflecting the sky and the adjacent trees.
The two upright barriers in the distance are for the unique hydraulic lift-bridge, which replaces the earlier swing bridge.
Photograph Details
- Taken: 18 Feb 2017
- Camera: Canon 5D MkIII
- Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm 1:2.8 L II USM
- Focal Length 45mm
- F/5
- 1/125 Sec
- ISO 400