Fobney Island Wetland Reserve

Fobney Lock is a lock on the River Kennet to the south of Coley Park in the English town of Reading. Between the lock cut and the river itself is Fobney Island, which is home to the Fobney Island Wetland Nature Reserve. At the western end of the island is Fobney Weir, whilst beside the lock is the Fobney Pumping Station. The name Fobney appears to derive from the name of a field, Vobeneye, recorded in deeds as being owned by Reading Abbey as early as 1308. Fobney Lock was built between 1718 and 1723, under the supervision of the engineer John Hore, as part of the Kennet Navigation between Reading and Newbury. With the opening, in 1810, of the Kennet and Avon Canal between Newbury and the Avon Navigation at Bath, Forbney Lock became part of the principle water route between London and Bristol. The lock, navigation ans canal are now administered by the Canal & River Trust. The lock has a rise/fall of 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m). The whole complex of lock, weir, pumping station and nature reserve lies within Coley ward of Reading Borough Council. It is accessible by boat, on foot along the towpath, or by vehicle from the south along Island Road. There is a small car park on this road just to the south of the lock.

Data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).