Itchen Navigation: A Portrait

Tun Bridge - St Catherine Lock

Distance: 0.5 mile (0.8 km)

Tun Bridge

Tun Bridge carries Garnier Road (formerly known as Bull Drove) over the Navigation. 1926 saw an earlier wooden bridge replaced by a single concrete arch. In February 2024, a rebuilt bridge was opened to traffic. A report on the Navigation in 1863 called the wooden bridge here “Tunbridge Bridge”.

In September 2019, the Handlebar Café was opened adjacent to the car park and caters for bikers and walkers.

Tun Bridge and barge

A painting showing Tun Bridge and a barge pulled by two horses. Two people can be seen in the hold and there is a canvas shelter at the stern. A towing mast can also be seen near the bow. Painted by Frederick Waters Watts.
Image date: 1843. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

Painting of Tun Bridge and barge
Tun Bridge and barge

A painting showing Tun Bridge and a barge pulled by two horses.

Image date: 1843.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(53.9KB)

Tun Bridge c1875

Tun Bridge in about 1875 viewed from the south-east.
Image date: c1875. Image: Hampshire Cultural Trust. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.

Tun Bridge in about 1875
Tun Bridge c1875

Tun Bridge in about 1875 viewed from the south-east.

Image date: c1875.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.
(44.85KB)

Tun Bridge in the 1870s

Tun Bridge in the 1870s with the Navigation being used for recreational purposes - bathing and boating, while children look on from the bridge.
Image date: 1870s. Image: Winchester College. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

Tun Bridge in the 1870s
Tun Bridge in the 1870s

Tun Bridge in the 1870s with bathing and boating.

Image date: 1870s.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(62.5KB)

Tun Bridge dating from 1926

The 1926 Tun Bridge seen from the south side.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

Tun Bridge dating from 1926
Tun Bridge dating from 1926

The 1926 Tun Bridge seen from the south side.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(84.0KB)

Rowing on the Navigation

A Winchester College ‘eight’ heading south from Tun Bridge.
Image date: May 2015. © 2024 Google. Image from Google Street View. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 59″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.

Rowing on the Navigation
Rowing on the Navigation

A Winchester College ‘eight’ heading south from Tun Bridge.

Image date: May 2015.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 59″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.
(63.6KB)

Tun Bridge being rebuilt

Tun Bridge, seen from the south side, undergoing a rebuild which was due to complete in November 2023 but reopening was delayed until February 2024.
Image date: May 2023. © 2023 Kieran Gillingham. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

Tun Bridge undergoing reconstruction
Tun Bridge being rebuilt

Tun Bridge, seen from the south side, undergoing a rebuild which was due to complete in November 2023 but reopening was delayed until February 2024.

Image date: May 2023.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(74.0KB)

The latest Tun Bridge

The new Tun Bridge, seen from the south side, was opened in February 2024.
Image date: Feb 2024. © 2024 Hampshire County Council. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

The new Tun Bridge
The latest Tun Bridge

The new Tun Bridge, seen from the south side, was opened in February 2024.

Image date: Feb 2024.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(59.1KB)

Rower at Tun Bridge

Oarsman approaching Tun Bridge from the south.
Image date: 25 Sep 2009. © 2010 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

Rower at Tun Bridge
Rower at Tun Bridge

Oarsman approaching Tun Bridge from the south.

Image date: 25 Sep 2009.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 58″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(71.4KB)

Tun Bridge in the 1860s

Seen from St Catherine’s Hill, Tun Bridge and the water meadows before the coming of the railway and when the Navigation was still in use.
Image date: 1860s. Approx NG Ref: SU483278. Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 51″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.

Tun Bridge in the 1860s
Tun Bridge in the 1860s

Tun Bridge and the water meadows before the coming of the railway and when the Navigation was still in use.

Image date: 1860s.
Approx NG Ref: SU483278.
Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 51″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.
(39.1KB)

Tun Bridge in 1899

Seen from St Catherine’s Hill, Tun Bridge and the water meadows with the new railway (in its original position) at bottom right.
Image date: 1899. © 2021 The Francis Frith Collection. Approx NG Ref: SU482277. Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 49″ N, 1° 18′ 44″ W.

Tun Bridge in the 1899
Tun Bridge in 1899

Tun Bridge and the water meadows with the new railway (in its original position) at bottom right.

Image date: 1899.
Approx NG Ref: SU482277.
Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 49″ N, 1° 18′ 44″ W.
(43.3KB)

Train at Garnier Road

Seen from St Catherine’s Hill, a southbound train crosses the Garnier Road bridge with the Navigation beyond it.
Image date: 1950s. © 2002 Ian Allen. Approx NG Ref: SU482277. Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 49″ N, 1° 18′ 44″ W.

Train crossing Garnier Road bridge
Train at Garnier Road

Seen from St Catherine’s Hill, a southbound train crosses the Garnier Road bridge.

Image date: 1950s.
Approx NG Ref: SU482277.
Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 49″ N, 1° 18′ 44″ W.
(66.2KB)

The view to Winchester in 2010

The Navigation is starting to be hidden and the meadows becoming woodland.
Image date: 4 Mar 2010. © Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU483277. WGS84: 51° 02′ 50″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.

The trees are taking over
The view to Winchester in 2010

The Navigation is starting to be hidden and the meadows are becoming woodland.

Image date: 4 Mar 2010.
NG Ref: SU483277.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 50″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.
(76.4KB)

Handlebar Café at Tun Bridge

The Handlebar Café sits on the old railway embankment by the car park just south of Garnier Road.
Image date: 29 Sep 2019. © 2019 www.pulse8.uk.com/. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 59″ N, 1° 18′ 40″ W.

Handlebar Café at Tun Bridge
Handlebar Café at Tun Bridge

The Handlebar Café sits on the old railway embankment by the car park.

Image date: 29 Sep 2019.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 59″ N, 1° 18′ 40″ W.
(77.8KB)

View south from Tun Bridge

View south towards St Catherine Lock from Tun Bridge.
Image date: 1987. Image scanned from slide. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 03′ 00″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.

View south from Tun Bridge
View south from Tun Bridge

View south towards St Catherine Lock from Tun Bridge.

Image date: 1987.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 03′ 00″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.
(65.9KB)

Tun Bridge to St Catherine’s Cottage

From here to St Catherine Lock, the way south is now restricted to the towing path on the east bank and, in places, it is quite narrow although some work has been done in recent years to widen the path. The path is backed by a fairly steep bank but above this there is a public bridleway parallel to the canal and a few yards to the east. This is Twyford Lane and is the remains of what was once the road from Winchester to Twyford and Portsmouth. It is now part of the long distance path called the Itchen Way which runs from the source of the River Itchen south of Cheriton to Southampton Water. This in turn is backed by the site of the former Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway. Before the M3 was constructed, the notorious and busy Winchester Bypass lay beyond the railway.

The Winchester Bypass was constructed during the 1930’s and was one of the first fully dual carriageway bypasses in the country and opened fully to traffic on 1st February 1940. In February 1937, the railway and Twyford Lane were moved westwards up to about 60 feet (18 metres) nearer to the Navigation to accommodate the new bypass as it passed below St Catherine’s Hill. It was probably at this time that the towing path was narrowed a bit. But with the completion of the M3 in 1994, the bypass and some of the course of the railway have been eliminated and the environs of the waterway are peaceful once more.

From Tun Bridge to the M3 at Hockley, as part of National Cycle Route 23 from Reading to Southampton and the Isle of Wight, Twyford Lane has now been tarmaced and is shared by cyclists and walkers.

About half way along Twyford Lane between Tun Bridge and the lock is a sculpture of a barge. This is called “The Pausing Place”, was designed by artist Abigail Downer and was unveiled in August 2011 to give walkers a place to stop, sit and rest. Three metres long, it’s carved from Portland stone and bears the names of some of the bargemen who worked on the Navigation between 1710 and 1869. It is not, however, right beside the Navigation.

South of Tun Bridge

The Navigation and towing path on the right with Twyford Lane on the left.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU483280. WGS84: 51° 02′ 59″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.

Downstream of Tun Bridge
South of Tun Bridge

The Navigation and towing path on the right with Twyford Lane on the left.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU483280.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 59″ N, 1° 18′ 42″ W.
(94.6KB)

The railway in use

Seen from the side of St Catherine’s Hill, the Navigation lies beyond the bypass and the railway. The train was a railtour starting from Winchester Chesil station running to Southampton Ocean Terminal.
Image date: 9 Mar 1963. © 2014 Kevin Robertson. Approx NG Ref: SU483278. Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 53″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.

Train south of Garnier Road
The railway in use

Beyond the bypass and the railway lies the Navigation.

Image date: 9 Mar 1963.
Approx NG Ref: SU483278.
Approx WGS84: 51° 02′ 53″ N, 1° 18′ 41″ W.
(48.6KB)

Looking south near Tun Bridge

Looking south from near Tun Bridge.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU483279. WGS84: 51° 02′ 57″ N, 1° 18′ 44″ W.

Looking south near Tun Bridge
Looking south near Tun Bridge

Looking south from near Tun Bridge.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU483279.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 57″ N, 1° 18′ 44″ W.
(46.4KB)

Looking north to Tun Bridge

Looking back north towards Tun Bridge.
Image date: 1987. Image scanned from slide. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU481278. WGS84: 51° 02′ 51″ N, 1° 18′ 50″ W.

Looking north to Tun Bridge
Looking north to Tun Bridge

Looking back north towards Tun Bridge.

Image date: 1987.
NG Ref: SU481278.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 51″ N, 1° 18′ 50″ W.
(64.6KB)

Twyford Lane

Looking north along Twyford Lane with the Navigation at a lower level on the left and the disused railway embankment on the right.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU482278. WGS84: 51° 02′ 52″ N, 1° 18′ 49″ W.

Twyford Lane
Twyford Lane

Twyford Lane with the Navigation at a lower level on the left and the disused railway embankment on the right.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU482278.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 52″ N, 1° 18′ 49″ W.
(97.3KB)

Railway milepost

This milepost used to stand next to the railway track behind its current position but has been re-erected beside Twyford Lane.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU482277. WGS84: 51° 02′ 50″ N, 1° 18′ 51″ W.

Railway milepost beside Twyford Lane
Railway milepost

This milepost used to stand next to the railway track behind its current position but has been re-erected beside Twyford Lane.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU482277.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 50″ N, 1° 18′ 51″ W.
(86.4KB)

The former Winchester Bypass

The site of the former Winchester Bypass with the profile of St Catherine’s Hill reinstated with spoil from the construction of the M3.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU481276. WGS84: 51° 02′ 46″ N, 1° 18′ 53″ W.

The site of Winchester Bypass
The former Winchester Bypass

The site of the former Winchester Bypass with the profile of St Catherine’s Hill reinstated.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU481276.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 46″ N, 1° 18′ 53″ W.
(107.3KB)

The Pausing Place

“The Pausing Place” beside Twyford Lane is a bench carved from Portland stone and bearing the names of some of the bargemen who worked on the Navigation between 1710 and 1869.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU481276. WGS84: 51° 02′ 45″ N, 1° 18′ 54″ W.

The Pausing Place
The Pausing Place

“The Pausing Place” - a bench carved from Portland stone.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU481276.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 45″ N, 1° 18′ 54″ W.
(64.0KB)

The Navigation partially drained

The Navigation in the process of being drained in connection with dredging to facilitate rowing by Winchester College.
Image date: 4 Jul 2015. © Christine Johnstone (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU482278. WGS84: 51° 02′ 53″ N, 1° 18′ 47″ W.

The Navigation partially drained
The Navigation partially drained

The Navigation partially drained in connection with dredging.

Image date: 4 Jul 2015.
NG Ref: SU482278.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 53″ N, 1° 18′ 47″ W.
(88.1KB)

St Catherine’s Cottage to St Catherine Lock

Today there are no buildings on the west bank of the Navigation - just views over the water meadows towards St Cross. However, there once was a modest Victorian dwelling close to the Navigation nearly 200 yards north of St Catherine Lock. Called St Catherine’s Cottage (it was also known as Halfway House), is just visible in the photo of the mill shown below. The last tenant of the cottage, a Mr Marriner, died in 1956, and the cottage, already derelict, was sold in 1957 at the same time as the meadows to the west. It was demolished and no trace of it now remains.

Just before reaching St Catherine Lock, there used to be a bridge under the railway and bypass, but this was removed in 1994/5 opening up a vista of Plague Pits Valley and St Catherine’s Hill rising over 200 feet above the canal. The fort on top of the hill was constructed in the 3rd century BC but deserted after it was sacked in the 1st century BC. A Norman chapel dedicated to St Catherine was built in the 12th century but no remains are now visible. The hill is now a nature reserve.

South of Tun Bridge

The Navigation near the site of St Catherine’s Cottage.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU481275. WGS84: 51° 02′ 44″ N, 1° 18′ 54″ W.

South of Tun Bridge
South of Tun Bridge

The Navigation near the site of St Catherine’s Cottage.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU481275.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 44″ N, 1° 18′ 54″ W.
(72.5KB)

St Catherine’s Cottage

St Catherine’s Cottage (or Halfway House) lay on the west bank nearly 200 yards north of St Catherine Lock.
Image date: 1870s. Image: Winchester College. NG Ref: SU481275. WGS84: 51° 02′ 44″ N, 1° 18′ 52″ W.

St Catherine’s Cottage
St Catherine’s Cottage

St Catherine’s Cottage (or Halfway House) lay on the west bank.

Image date: 1870s.
NG Ref: SU481275.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 44″ N, 1° 18′ 52″ W.
(47.6KB)

Narrow towing path

Looking north along the narrow towing path near its junction with Twyford Lane.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480274. WGS84: 51° 02′ 39″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.

Narrow towing path
Narrow towing path

Looking north along the narrow towing path near its junction with Twyford Lane.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU480274.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 39″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.
(74.1KB)

Junction of Twyford Lane and towing path

The junction of the towing path with Twyford Lane to the north of the lock is rather insignificant.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480274. WGS84: 51° 02′ 39″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.

Junction of Twyford Lane and towing path
Junction of Twyford Lane and towing path

The junction of the towing path with Twyford Lane north of the lock is rather insignificant.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU480274.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 39″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.
(67.4KB)

Navigation at St Catherine’s

Navigation at St Catherine’s with Winchester beyond. The area to the east (right) of the canal is the infilled and reclaimed site of the railway and bypass.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU481271. WGS84: 51° 02′ 29″ N, 1° 18′ 53″ W.

Navigation at St Catherine’s
Navigation at St Catherine’s

Navigation at St Catherine’s with Winchester beyond. The area to the east (right) of the canal is the infilled site of the railway and bypass.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU481271.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 29″ N, 1° 18′ 53″ W.
(63.2KB)

Looking south at St Catherine Lock

Looking south with St Catherine Lock in the trees.
Image date: Jun 1995. Image scanned from slide. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480274. WGS84: 51° 02′ 40″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.

Looking south at St Catherine Lock
Looking south at St Catherine Lock

Looking south with St Catherine Lock in the trees.

Image date: Jun 1995.
NG Ref: SU480274.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 40″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.
(82.7KB)

Looking north from St Catherine Lock

Looking north from St Catherine Lock.
Image date: 28 May 1976. Image scanned from slide. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Looking north from St Catherine Lock
Looking north from St Catherine Lock

Looking north from St Catherine Lock.

Image date: 28 May 1976.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(90.1KB)

Construction of the bypass

Looking north along the old alignment of the railway over the bridge which was extended to accommodate the new railway alignment visible on the left and the bypass on the right. The Navigation lies on the extreme left of this picture taken shortly before the new railway line was brought into use.
Image date: 11 Feb 1937. © 2014 Kevin Robertson. NG Ref: SU481273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 54″ W.

Construction of the bypass
Construction of the bypass

Looking north along the old alignment of the railway over the bridge which was extended to accommodate the new railway alignment visible on the left and the bypass on the right.

Image date: 11 Feb 1937.
NG Ref: SU481273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 54″ W.
(62.4KB)

Looking north from St Catherine Lock

Looking north from St Catherine Lock.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2010 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

The Navigation at St Catherine’s
Looking north from St Catherine Lock

Looking north from St Catherine Lock.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(50.3KB)

Iron railings beside canal

Iron railings were installed beside the canal above the lock when the towing path and Twyford Lane were merged, considerably narrowed and opposite the entrance to the underbridge when the bypass was built and the railway moved nearer in 1937.
Image date: 24 Jul 2013. © Mike Faherty (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 37″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.

Iron railings beside canal
Iron railings beside canal

Iron railings were installed beside the canal when the railway was moved nearer in 1937.

Image date: 24 Jul 2013.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 37″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.
(86.2KB)

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill as seen from near the lock.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.

St Catherine’s Hill
St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill as seen from near the lock.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 55″ W.
(69.8KB)

Winchester Bypass

Winchester Bypass from St Catherine’s Hill looking south. St Catherine Lock is hidden by the bypass / former railway and trees just to the left of the bridge under the road and railway.
Image date: 1977. Image scanned from slide. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU483274. WGS84: 51° 02′ 39″ N, 1° 18′ 45″ W.

Winchester Bypass
Winchester Bypass

Winchester Bypass from St Catherine’s Hill looking south.

Image date: 1977.
NG Ref: SU483274.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 39″ N, 1° 18′ 45″ W.
(46.7KB)

Site of Winchester Bypass

The Navigation and Plague Pits Valley from St Catherine’s Hill shortly after the removal of the Winchester Bypass. The water in the Navigation is now visible just upstream of the lock.
Image date: June 1995. Image scanned from slide. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Site of Winchester Bypass
Site of Winchester Bypass

The Navigation and Plague Pits Valley from St Catherine’s Hill shortly after the removal of the Winchester Bypass.

Image date: June 1995.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(54.0KB)

St Catherine Lock

A mile from Black Bridge lies the summit lock of the Itchen Navigation which begins the descent of about 105 feet (32 metres) to the sea. Usually known by the name St Catherine (or St Catherine’s) Lock, an Ordnance Survey map of 1870 gives the more prosaic name “Lock No 1”. Like the majority of locks on the waterway, it was turf-sided as was customary on waterways built in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Turf-sided means that the water within the lock chamber was retained by sloping earthen or “turf” banks rather than the stone or brick walls that are usual on more modern waterways. That these banks often leaked did not matter greatly as the river would normally supply enough water. Usually, the only brickwork / masonry to be found in such locks is at each end where the lock gates were hung. On the Itchen Navigation, at most of the locks, the top and bottom gates were about 100 feet apart. For more details on the Navigation’s locks and barges see this page.

A modern sluice has been built across the head of the lock in place of the top gates to retain water in the section of canal above. The lock is very unusual (possibly unique) in that during the middle of the 19th Century, there was a sawmill on the west side of the lock. This mill was powered by a waterwheel that drew its water from above the lock gates, discharging it into the lock chamber. The conserved remains of some of the brickwork for the wheelpit can still be seen, on the offside, just downstream of the older brickwork associated with the top gates.

The lock received attention as part of the conservation works carried out in 2010 during the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project which was partially funded by a Heritage Lottery grant. This involved clearance of some trees and other vegetation that was threatening the structure. In the areas of the top and bottom gates and the mill wheelpit, crumbling brickwork was replaced or consolidated, re-pointed, and tied back to the banks behind. Three ‘bat bricks’ were installed in the SE gate pier to mitigate for the loss of any potential bat roost sites. Further details of the repairs together with photographs see this report (3.74MB) made as part of the project.

As seems to be the case in projects such as this, however, little or no consideration appears to have been given to ongoing maintenance of the works done. As a result, since completion of the project in 2012, they have started to suffer from neglect.

As part of this project, an information board was installed telling a little of the local history. Unfortunately, the drawing in particular does not give a realistic portrayal of the lock or the barge within it. See problems with drawing.

Head of St Catherine Lock

The sluice and top cill at the head of St Catherine Lock.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Head of St Catherine Lock
Head of St Catherine Lock

The sluice and top cill at the head of St Catherine Lock.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(95.3KB)

Head of St Catherine Lock

The head of St Catherine Lock viewed from the site of the waterwheel. The embankment for the railway and bypass can be seen beyond.
Image date: 28 May 1976. Image scanned from slide. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Head of St Catherine Lock
Head of St Catherine Lock

The head of St Catherine Lock viewed from the site of the waterwheel.

Image date: 28 May 1976.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(67.6KB)

Head of St Catherine Lock

The dam and sluice at the head of the lock seen from the eastern side.
Image date: May 1977. Image: Department of Transport. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Head of St Catherine Lock
Head of St Catherine Lock

The dam and sluice at the head of the lock seen from the eastern side.

Image date: May 1977.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(79.2KB)

Site of waterwheel

The site of the waterwheel and the top cill at St Catherine Lock.
Image date: 1987. Image scanned from slide. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Site of waterwheel
Site of waterwheel

The site of the waterwheel and the top cill at St Catherine Lock.

Image date: 1987.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(77.7KB)

Site of waterwheel

The site of the waterwheel at St Catherine Lock.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Site of waterwheel
Site of waterwheel

The site of the waterwheel at St Catherine Lock.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(99.3KB)

Site of waterwheel

The site of the waterwheel and the lock chamber at St Catherine Lock after conservation.
Image date: 22 Jan 2011. © Graham Horn (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Site of waterwheel
Site of waterwheel

The site of the waterwheel and the lock chamber at St Catherine Lock after conservation.

Image date: 22 Jan 2011.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(104.5KB)

Site of waterwheel in 2019

There seems to have been a little clearance just around the wheelpit, but eight years after conservation it is very difficult to make out anything else.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Site of waterwheel in 2019
Site of waterwheel in 2019

There seems to have been a little clearance just around the wheelpit, but eight years after conservation it is very difficult to make out anything else.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(114.7KB)

St Catherine Lock chamber

The chamber of St Catherine Lock seen from the sluice at the head.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

St Catherine Lock chamber
St Catherine Lock chamber

The chamber of St Catherine Lock seen from the sluice at the head.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(81.0KB)

St Catherine Lock

The lock chamber, with 5 years of growth and fallen trees since clearance and conservation, appears neglected and is disappearing from view.
Image date: 25 Feb 2016. © 2016 Marie Keates. Image from https://www.iwalkalone.co.uk. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

St Catherine Lock
St Catherine Lock

The lock chamber appears neglected and is disappearing from view.

Image date: 25 Feb 2016.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(90.0KB)

Tail of St Catherine Lock

Masonry at the tail of St Catherine Lock to support the bottom gates and the bridge that used to cross the lock.
Image date: 16 Mar 2003. © 2003 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Tail of St Catherine Lock
Tail of St Catherine Lock

Masonry at the tail of St Catherine Lock to support the bottom gates and the bridge that used to cross the lock.

Image date: 16 Mar 2003.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(100.3KB)

Brickwork at the tail of the lock

February 2019 and it is almost impossible from below the lock to make out any of the masonry at the tail.
Image date: 15 Feb 2019. © 2019 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU480272. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 57″ W.

Tail of St Catherine Lock in 2019
Brickwork at the tail of the lock

February 2019 and it is almost impossible from below the lock to make out any of the masonry at the tail.

Image date: 15 Feb 2019.
NG Ref: SU480272.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 57″ W.
(121.6KB)

St Catherine Lock c1830-40

St Catherine Lock with Winchester Barracks and the Cathedral in the distance. Drawn by William Westall and engraved by Edward Finden.
Image date: c1830-40. NG Ref: SU480272. WGS84: 51° 02′ 34″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

St Catherine Lock c1830-40
St Catherine Lock c1830-40

St Catherine Lock with Winchester in the distance.

Image date: c1830-40.
NG Ref: SU480272.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 34″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(79.3KB)

St Catherine Lock with saw mill

St Catherine Lock with the saw mill and St Catherine’s Cottage (or Half Way House) in the distance.
Image date: 1870s. Image: Winchester College. NG Ref: SU480272. WGS84: 51° 02′ 34″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

St Catherine Lock with saw mill
St Catherine Lock with saw mill

St Catherine Lock with the saw mill and St Catherine’s Cottage in the distance.

Image date: 1870s.
NG Ref: SU480272.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 34″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(49.3KB)

St Catherine Lock with saw mill

Water colour of St Catherine Lock and saw mill showing waterwheel. Painted by the water-colourist George Frederick Prosser.
Image date: 1875. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

St Catherine Lock with saw mill
St Catherine Lock with saw mill

St Catherine Lock and saw mill showing waterwheel.

Image date: 1875.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 35″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(69.6KB)

Information board

Information board at the lock - a pity it does not give a good representation of the lock or the barge within it. And in 2019 it is difficult to see where Catherine’s wheel once was.
Image date: 3 Dec 2011. © Shazz (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU480273. WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.

Information board
Information board

Information board at the lock - a pity it does not give a good portrayal of the lock or the barge within it.

Image date: 3 Dec 2011.
NG Ref: SU480273.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 36″ N, 1° 18′ 56″ W.
(89.4KB)

One of the pictures on this page is shown by kind permission of Marie Keates. A keen walker, she has written about and illustrated several attempts to walk the full length of the Navigation during 2013 in her blog at https://www.iwalkalone.co.uk. She has walked along all or parts of the Navigation often since then: all illustrated with some excellent photographs.