Goring On Thames Lock Tapestries

The lock keeper's cottage at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. Situated where the Thames flows between the north Wessex (Berkshire) Downs and the Chiltern Hills known as the Goring Gap. The first lock here was a flash lock with paddles instead of gates. The first pound lock was constructed in 1787 using oak. The rather fine lock keeper's cottage dates from 1879, just before the lock was rebuilt in 1886. The last rebuild was in 1921 with a refit in 2003.

The eastern approach to the lock at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The weir and lock island with its picturesque white painted lock keeper's cottage are on the left. Behind us the Thames flows on to Pangbourne and Reading and ahead is the route to Wallingford and Oxford. Here the river passes between the North Wessex Downs to the south and the Chiltern Hills to the north in a passage known as the Goring Gap.

The scene walking by the lock at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. This side of the lock has a profusion of flowers whilst on the island, next to the lock keeper's cottage, are neat gardens. In the background the river rushes through the weir before flowing onward to Pangbourne and Reading. At this point the Thames passes between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs - this is known as the Goring Gap.

Standing on the side of the river lock at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, looking over to the white painted lock keeper's cottage and the wooden office. The top gates are open and the lock chamber is full waiting for the next boat travelling downstream to enter. The weeather's been hot so there are umbrellas over control boxes to offer shade to the operator!

Looking across the churchyard to the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The buildings of this Grade 1 listed church date from the C12th but have, of course, undergonr periods of restoration. Here we are looking at the east end and the apsidal chancel. Inside, the Rood Screen is made of timber from HMS Thunderer, one of Nelson's ships at Trafalgar.

A digital art view of the Thames Path as it wends its way towards the village of Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The Thames Path is a national long distance trail 184 miles (296 km) long which starts at Kemble in Gloucestershre near one of the attributed sources at Thames Head (the other being Seven Springs). It finishes at the Thames Barrier flood defence in London. Here it passes through the Goring Gap - a narrow space between the North Wessex (Berkshire) Downs and the Chiltern Hills.

The weir at Streatley-on-Thames in West Berkshire as seen from the road bridge linking this village with Goring-on-Thames on the northern, Oxfordshire bank. This weir is a few hundred yards below the much longer one at Goring. Where the houses in the image now stand is the site of Streatley Mill which was destroyed by fire in 1926 n- although paintings and early photographs of it still exist. The hills behind are the start of the North Wessex (or Berkshire) Downs.

The scene looking eastwards along the River Thames from the road bridge at Goring-on-Thames on the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border. A variety of river boats are moored along the towpath which is part of the Thames Path long-distance trail. A launch is heading towards to lock and a couple of paddle boarders are moving downstream. Here the Thames flows through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.

A digital drawing of the lane next to the watermill at Goring on Thames leading over the mill race which plunges under the mill, then on to pass under the road bridge to the lock. Turn left at the bridge to follow the Thames Path to Pangbourne. The mill features in a painting by JMW Turner. The Thames here passes through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.

Viewed from the Thames Path long-distance trail - the bridge over the Thames at Goring. This bridge, carrying the B4009 road connects the two villages of Streatley in Berkshire with Goring in Oxfordshire. The present bridge was built in 1923 and replaced an earlier one dating from 1837 which was constructed of timber. This also forms the river crossing section of both the Ridgeway and the Thames Path. Just upstream here can be seen Goring Lock.

Boats moored on the Thames riverside just above the old mill at Goring-on-Thames. Just above here the river divides with the navigation channel passing through the lock next to Goring and Streatley weir. Here though it passes under the road bridge before rushing through the sluices and through Goring Mill. But here all is calm, the moorings fronting old half timbered buildings which house amoung other things a dental surgery. It's been a hot summer resulting in a build-up of green weed.

A digital painting from my original photograph of the lock at Benson in Oxfordshire. This can be reached via the Thames Path from Wallingford and, after crossing the adjacent weir, the walk can be continued to a very welcome riverside cafe and restaurant. The lock as we see it dates from 1870 but the first one was built in 1788 by the Thames Navigation Commission. Here a boat is passing through on its way upstream to Shillingford and then on to Abingdon and Oxford.

The view looking upstream towards the lock at Sonning-on-Thames in Berkshire. The first pound lock here dates from 1773, this present one being constructed in 1905. Sonning is a picturesque village just further downstream from the major town of Reading, and was described by Jerome K Jerome in 'Three Men In A Boat' as 'the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river' The village is now home to a number of celebrities.

The backwater as the Thames divides above the lock and weir at Goring on Thames in Oxfordshire. This was once the supply of water to the mill where it still rushes through the sluices to the wheel pit. Here, beside the boathouses lining the river bank, craft of all types are moored - now probably for the winter! In this view captured on a day in early October the lock keeper's cottage can be seen in the background.

Looking upstream towards Day's Lock on the River Thames at Little Wittenham. Here the rive flows by the village of Dorchester on Thames, once an important Roman settlement, now famous for its abbey - and being the frequent setting for the TV series 'Midsomer Murders'! Further above the lock is the town of Abingdon whilst downstream the river flows past the hills known as the Wittenham Clumps. In summer the river is busy with boats of all sorts but this image shows a quiet afternoon in spring.

Marlow, on the north bank of the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, captured from just above the lock and weir late one afternoon in Autumn. The river leads the eye towards All Saints church, the spire being a distinctive landmark in the area. Also in the background is the suspension bridge constructed in 1832. Designed by William Tierney Clark, it was the prototype for the Szechenyi Chain Bridge crossing the Danube in Budapest. Nikon D7100

Looking across the churchyard to the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The buildings of this Grade 1 listed church date from the C12th but have, of course undergone periods of restoration. Here we are looking at the east end and the apsidal chancel. Inside, the Rood Screen is made of timber from HMS Thunderer, one of Nelson's ships at Trafalgar.

A digital art image of the bridge over the river at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. This is actually half of the bridge as a second identical length crosses the river to the Berkshire bank at Streatley-on-Thames. This is the view from the Thames Path National Trail which starts life at Cricklade in Gloucestershire and finishes at the Thames Barrier in London. This particular bridge was constructed in 1923. A previous toll bridge which dated from 1837 in turn replaced a ferry.

The scene walking along the Thames Path towards Goring - its lock and weir. Here the River Thames passes between the Chiltern Hills to the north and the North Wessex (or Berkshire) Downs to the south - the Goring Gap. This area is a favourite of artists with canvas and/or camera - including the great JMW Turner. The Thames Path - a long distance National Trail - stretches from Cricklade in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in London.

The scene just above the old mill in Goring-on-Thames. Here the river divides, the main stream passing through the lock (just behind us) and rushing over the weir whilst this branch once turned the millwheel. Boats are frequently moored here and opposite are some recently refurbished boathouses and a row of black and white buildings which houses the dentist's surgery! Goring became famous in recent years as the home of George Michael who lived next to the Mill. Digital art from my original photo

A quiet backwater at Goring on Thames, Oxfordshire. Here the water is calm having rushed through the mill and now makes its way back to the main river. On the far bank is the church of St Thomas of Canterbury. Goring is a small village on the north bank of the Thames and is joined to Streatley on the south bank by an attractive road bridge. Here the river runs through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.The house in the background belonged to George Michael' Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The lock keeper's house on an island next to the lock at Goring on Thames, Oxfordshire. This is the view from the southerly river bank at Streatley on Thames in Berkshire. Linking these two villages is a fine iron bridge built in 1923 which can be seen in the background. Here the Thames flows through a gap in the hills - the Chilterns to the north and the North Wessex Downs to the south, This is thought to be one of the most beautiful; stretches of the river. Nikon D7000 Nikkor 18-200

Boathouses on the banks of the River Thames at Goring opposite the lock and just upstream from the old mill. Goring is an extremely picturesque village on the north bank of the Thames in Oxfordshire, just over the river from Streatley in Berkshire. Here the river flows through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills in the north and the Berkshire or North Wessex Downs in the south. Being so picturesque, Goring is a favourite location for photographers and painters - including JM Turner!

A red boat moored in a quiet backwater of the River Thames at Goring in Oxfordshire. In the background is Mill Cottage, once the riverside home of the singer George Michael. It lies next to the old mill, the waters here once forming its tail race as they flow back to the main river just behind us.

Boathouses on the banks of the River Thames at Goring opposite the lock and just upstream from the old mill. Goring is an extremely picturesque village on the north bank of the Thames in Oxfordshire, just over the river from Streatley in Berkshire. Here the river flows through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills in the north and the Berkshire or North Wessex Downs in the south. Being so picturesque, Goring is a favourite location for photographers and painters - including JM Turner!

The river scene at Goring on Thames as viewed from the road bridge. This is one of the most picturesque places along the length of the river at the point where it flows between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs known as the Goring Gap. A lock has been here since the 1500s when a local miller needed a head of water. The present lock was first constructed in 1787 and was rebuilt in 1921.

Boats moored next to the lock at Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.The white painted lock keeper's cottage can be seen on the left of the image. Ahead is the weir - not running so fast at the time of taking as it's been a dry summer! Here the Thames passes through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills to the north and the North Wessex (or Berkshire) Downs to the south.

Looking upstream from the road bridge, the weir at Goring on Thames in Oxfordshire, England. On the island to the right stands the white painted lock keeper's cottage, conveniently situated between the lock and weir. Here the Thames flows between the North Wessex or Berkshire Downs to the south and the Chiltern Hills to the north. This feature is known as the Goring Gap. Not surprisingly this stretch of the river is popular with both painting and photographic artists. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

Boathouses on the banks of the River Thames at Goring opposite the lock and just upstream from the old mill. Goring is an extremely picturesque village on the north bank of the Thames in Oxfordshire, just across the river from Streatley in Berkshire. Here the river flows through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills in the north and the Berkshire or North Wessex Downs in the south. Goring has been the haunt of artists including JMW Turner. A digital pencil sketch from my original photograph.

Just approaching the lower (downstream) lock gates at Goring on Thames in Oxfordshire, England. The first lock here was a flash lock - paddles forming a dam which could be removed to provide a flow of water and let boats through. This gave the local mill a head of water to turn the wheel. The first pound lock was built in 1787 at a cost of £1000. The present lock was constructed in 1921. The Thames here flows between the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs forming what is known as the Goring Gap. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The lane next to the watermill at Goring on Thames leading over the mill race which plunges under the mill, then on to pass under the road bridge to the lock. Turn left at the bridge to follow the Thames Path to Pangbourne. The mill features in a painting by JMW Turner. The Thames here passes through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

A view form the bridge at Goring on Thames, Oxfordshire, England. The church of St Thomas of Canterbury, dating from the 1100s, lies behind the mill and the millpond which feeds back into the river. Goring, in South Oxfordshire is on the north bank of the Thames directly opposite the smaller village of Streatley on Thames in Berkshire on the south bank. Here the river flows through an opening between the Chiltern Hills in the north and the North Wessex Downs in the south, known as the Goring Gap.

The road bridge crossing the River Thames at Goring, Oxfordshire. The bridge links Goring with the village of Streatley on Thames on the southern, Berkshire side. This is the view standing on the Thames Path just below the lock, looking under the bridge towards the Goring Gap where the river flows between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.

A digital drawing of the superb view over the Thames Valley from Lardon Chase. Below is the village of Streatley-on-Thames in West Berkshire, whose church can be seen in the centre. Then further across, passing over the Thames (invisible here) to Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. Beyond that the lower slopes of the Chiltern Hills. Lardon Chase, also called Streatley Hill, is a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on chalk grassland rising steeply above the village.

A boat named 'Snapdragon' moored at Goring-on-Thames - digital art developed from my original photograph. It's a late afternoon in August and the low sun lights up the scene just below the lock and weir. Here the Thames is passing through the Goring Gap - an opening between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex (Berkshire) Downs - before flowing past Pangbourne and Reading en route to London and the sea. Not surprisingly this area has been a haunt for artists - including JMW Turner!

The view from the north bank of the River Thames at Goring in Oxfordshire, England, looking across to Streatley village and Streatley Hill, or Lardon Chase in Berkshire. Here the Thames flows between the North Wessex or Berkshire Downs to the south and the Chiltern Hills to the north, this feature being known as the Goring Gap. The weirs here once provided the power for water mills and now control the flow of the river. Only one working mill survives, further downstream at Mapedurham. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200