Caversham Lock stands on the River Thames between the villages of Caversham and Mapledurham, a short distance upstream from Reading town centre. This is the 22nd lock along the Thames and one of a series of engineered waterway features that have shaped navigation on this stretch of the river for centuries. The lock allows boats to pass through changes in water level, connecting the upper and lower reaches of the Thames. Visitors approaching by foot or bicycle will find it accessible from the towpath, which runs alongside the lock chamber and weir.
The surrounding landscape is characterised by riverside meadows and tree-lined banks, making it a quiet spot for walkers and those interested in the working heritage of the Thames. The lock itself operates as a functional gateway on a busy waterway, serviced regularly by the Environment Agency to maintain safe passage for recreational boaters and commercial traffic. The site offers a glimpse into the engineering that underpins modern river transport, with its gates, chambers and associated structures visible from the public towpath.