Ham Lock, Canal Bridge And Weir

Ham Lock consists of a canal bridge and weir, built around 1785 as part of the Thames and Severn Canal. The bridge spans the tail of the lock and has a roughly rectangular shape with gently curved, battered wing walls that end in pilasters. It features a segmental arched opening with ashlar springers and a plain curved string along the top. The parapet and flank walls are plain, topped with simple stone copings. The lock itself has brick walls that widen at the entrance on the south end, with large stone copings and ashlar dressings at the gate positions, which include iron fittings on the gateposts. One original lock-gate still partially remains.

Adjacent to the lock is the by-weir, which is funnel-shaped and constructed of brick with stone copings, directing water to a small rectangular opening.

The Stroudwater Navigation, completed between 1775 and 1779, was intended to connect the River Severn at Framilode to Stroud, facilitating the transport of coal to local textile mills. The Thames and Severn Canal, built from 1783 to 1789, aimed to link the River Severn to the River Thames at Inglesham. Although the canals faced technical issues that affected their profitability, they remained in operation well into the 20th century. The lock, bridge, and by-weir at Ham Lock were built on a section of the Thames and Severn Canal near Brimscombe Port, which was designed to accommodate Severn trows rather than Thames barges.