Enfield Lock

Coordinates: 51°40′07″N 0°01′34″W / 51.6686°N 0.026°W / 51.6686; -0.026

Enfield Lock is an area in the London Borough of Enfield, north London. It is approximately located east of the Hertford Road between Turkey Street and the Holmesdale Tunnel overpass, to the River Lee Navigation, including the Enfield Island Village. The locality gains its name from the lock on the River Lee Navigation. Today's Enfield Lock was re-built in 1922. The area forms part of the Lee Valley Park and the Enfield Lock Conservation Area. Enfield Lock has marshland formally used as a testing site between the Royal Small Arms Factory and The Gunpowder Mills and Epping Forest on its eastern boundary. To the south is Ponders End, the north Waltham Cross and to the east Bulls Cross

Etymology

Enfield Lock is recorded thus in 1710, earlier as Norhtlok (1355), The Locke (1657), i.e. 'the (northern) lock or river barrier (near Enfield)', from Middle English lok.

History

Enfield Lock (lock)

Enfield Lock (No 13) is a lock on the River Lee Navigation, in the London Borough of Enfield. It gives its name to the surrounding area of Enfield Lock. The lock is situated close to the former Royal Small Arms Factory now known as Enfield Island Village. It is the first of the smaller locks upstream to Hertford which were built to allow barges up to a maximum 100 tons.

Etymology

Enfield Lock is recorded thus in 1710, earlier as Norhtlok 1355, The Locke 1657, 'the (northern) lock or river barrier (near Enfield)', from Middle English lok.

History

A lock on this site has been extant since 1725. The present day structure was re-built in 1922. At the lock are red brick cottages and a Lee Conservancy Board toll office of 1889. Below the lock, a water maintenance depot, with clock turret on the cruciform planned office building of 1907.

Public access

The lock is located adjacent to Ordnance Road.

Enfield Lock railway station is close by.

The area is served by the 491 and 121 London bus routes.