Boating along the River Great Ouse

The Great Ouse is an attractive river for boaters, with so many tributaries to explore and several towns and villages as attractive mooring points.

Of the 22 locks on the Great Ouse system, three are manned: Hermitage Lock (Tel: 01487 841548), Denver Sluice Lock (Tel: 01366 382340), and Salter's Lode Lock (Tel: 01366 382292). Hermitage is open during the daytime with longer hours in summer months, while at Denver and Salter's Lode, you should contact the lock-keeper in advance to arrange passage. Contact lock-keepers 24 hours in advance to gain access between the River Great Ouse and Middle Level Systems. Pass through approximately two hours either side of high tide.

On all the other, unmanned locks, navigation keys are required to operate the guillotine gates. These can be obtained from the Environment Agency (Anglian Region, Aqua House, East Station Road, Peterborough PE2 8AA: 01733 464910); allow two weeks for your application to be processed.

You will also need a windlass (available from boatyards and chandlers, not from the Agency) to operate the paddles in the 'V' doors.

There are mainly two speed limits on the Great Ouse: 4mph (6.4kph) and 7mph (11.2kph). Both are indicated by signs. Tidal river navigation speed limit is 15mph (24kph).

More information, including a detailed list of facilities, is available from the Environment Agency's navigation pages.

Bridge & lock opening times

Find detailed information on local services, moorings and stoppages by using the drop down menu on the left.