Eaton Footbridge is a wooden footbridge across the River Thames in Oxfordshire, England. It is situated on the reach above Grafton Lock.

Eaton Footbridge
Coordinates51°41′08″N 1°38′40″W / 51.685531°N 1.644331°W / 51.685531; -1.644331
CarriesFootpath
CrossesRiver Thames
LocaleOxfordshire
Characteristics
MaterialWood
Height9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
History
Opened1936
Location
Map

The bridge was built in 1936 on the site of the last flash lock on the river which was in a weir known as Hart's Weir. The weir and lock, the last remaining on the Thames, were removed that year leaving the mooring cuts which are still in use. There was a lock keeper at the weir and a walkway across which is the precedent for the current bridge. The flash lock was notoriously difficult and Thacker quoted Henry Taunt: "I recollect one winter in passing this very weir, when lying on my back in the boat to get through, scraping a fair amount of skin off my nose and face though contact with the bridge whilst going under it."[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Thacker, Fred. S. (1968) [1920]. The Thames Highway. Vol. II: Locks and Weirs. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. p. 48. SBN 7153-4233-9.
Next crossing upstream River Thames Next crossing downstream
Buscot Lock (pedestrian) Eaton Footbridge Radcot Bridge (road)