Camden Lock
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| Hampstead Road Lock No 1 (Camden Lock) | |
|---|---|
 Camden Lock | |
 | |
| Waterway | Regent's Canal |
| County | Camden Greater London |
| Maintained by | British Waterways |
| Operation | Manual |
| Fall | 8 feet (2.4 m) |
| Distance to Limehouse Basin | 6.17 miles (9.9 km) |
| Distance to Paddington Basin | 2.77 miles (4.5 km) |
Camden Lock, or Hampstead Road Locks is a twin manually-operated lock on the Regent's Canal in Camden Town, London Borough of Camden. The sign identifying the lock reads "Hampstead Road Lock".
History
The locks were constructed between 1818–20 by James Morgan, with John Nash, supervising engineer. It is the only twin-lock remaining on the Canal, the remainder having been modified to single lock operation. The current locks are Grade II listed and replaced an innovative hydropneumatic lock designed by William Congreve in an attempt to conserve water, which was a failure.
The lock is to the west of the Camden High Street road bridge. The yard and former warehouses, an area known as Camden Lock, are on the north side of the canal, at the junction with Chalk Farm Road. This area is adjacent to a canal basin and holds Camden Lock Market, one of the group of markets often called collectively Camden Market. It is a busy market popular with visitors, with music venues, cafes and canal towpath walks. The square beside the lock features a large cut-steel sculpture by English artist Edward Dutkiewicz. One of the many colourful characters often to be found gracing this market with his presence, is world-famous psychic clairvoyant medium and tarot reader Terry (Tarot) Donaldson, who still reads person's cards and palms on weekends. Terry started in the market circa 1989, and went on to become celebrity Tarot reader extraordinaire with L!ve TV, in Canary Wharf, and author many round-breaking books on the Tarot and related mysticism.link title link title
Cultural references
- Camden Lock is one of many landmarks in this area of London to have a corresponding structure underground in the novel The Horn of Mortal Danger (1980).
- The main spaceship in the British television science fiction sitcom Hyperdrive is called HMS Camden Lock.
- The Italian band Modena City Ramblers wrote a song Notturno, Camden Lock, with a lyric relating to Camden town where one of the band members lived.
- The Russian band Aquarium mentions Camden Lock in its song Garson #2
- Kate Winslet appeared in a television commercial for American Express, strolling around Camden Lock.
Transport
The tow path is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
The nearest London Underground station is Camden Town on the Northern Line. The nearest London Overground station is Camden Road station.
References
- Historic England. "Details from listed building database ({{{num}}})". National Heritage List for England.
See also
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