Top Lock Cottage

A canal keeper's cottage, dating from around 1810, with later alterations in the late 20th century. The front is built of limestone ashlar, with rubble stone to the rear, and features a restored hipped pantile roof with moulded ridge stacks. The left stack has two diagonally set shafts, while the right stack has one.

The cottage is single-storied and symmetrical, with a four-window front. Wide, bracketed eaves with plain raised dripmoulds extend over square surrounds to three-light, pointed-arched blind windows. A central bay projects slightly to meet the eaves, with a raised surround to a pointed-arched doorcase flanked by smaller glazed windows. The interior has not been inspected.

The Kennet and Avon Canal was authorised in 1794 and opened in 1810, with John Rennie as Engineer. The picturesque architecture is likely due to requirements from the Bathwick Estate, and John Pinch, their surveyor, may have been involved in the design. A similar cottage exists to the north of Sydney Gardens.