The Double Locks Hotel

This is a very popular inn for a lazy sunny afternoon or a tasty meal, the Double Locks was built in 1701, as a lock keepers cottage at the time of great improvements to Trew's original canal. It was built of metric sized, Dutch bricks which were imported as ballast. In the next expansion of the canal in the 1820's, James Green who built the canal basin, rebuilt the Double Locks, reusing some of the earlier bricks along with more modern, factory made bricks. A tow path was added to each side of the canal at this time to allow larger ships to be towed by horses. One of the Double Locks functions was to provide stabling for the horses.

Some trade directory listings and Flying Post entries for the Double Locks are:

1791- this appeared in Trewman's Exeter Flying Post on 12 May 1791.

1825 - Thos. Perryman, Keeper of the Double Locks - Flying Post - see below for further details.
1850 - Double Locks Inn, Thomas Pennyman - possible misprint, White's
1878 - Double Locks, William Pearce - White's
1897 - Double Lock inn, W. C. Hannaford, Alphington, Exeter - Kelly's
1906 - Double Locks, Hannaford W. C., Haven road, St Thomas - Besley's
1923 - Double Locks - William Carter Shillabeer Hannaford - Post Office
1934 - Double Locks, Lamprey, C. W., Haven banks - Besley's
1956 - Double Locks, Geo. H. Hutchings, Canal Banks - Kelly's
1967 - Double Locks Inn, Canal Banks - Kelly's

A strange little story appeared in the 1 June 1825 issue of Trewman's Exeter Flying Post. The body of a man was found drowned in the canal. A rumour appeared in the local newspapers, that the lock keeper had refused to allow the body to be placed in his house. The Flying Post printed a statement, acquitting the landlord of the slur and giving the true story. The landlord, Mr Perryman was not at home at the time of the incident and the body was conveyed to the House of Reception at the Exeter Lime Kilns. The article says "....and exculpates Mrs. Perryman (who was much hurried) from the slightest imputation of inhumanity or neglect."

The Locks

The locks themselves, are the longest in the country, at 95 m long by 8 m wide and can fit two ships at once - hence 'the double locks'. When the York Class Cruiser, HMS Exeter was refitted in 1938, the old masts were removed and used as the arms on the lock gates.

Getting to the Double Locks can be a problem - drivers can take the road through Marsh Barton, go over the narrow railway bridge, cross the Salmon Pool swing bridge and follow the narrow road along the canal to the hotel. In former times, before breathalyzers, returning revellers have ended up in the canal - even those without a car! Mind you, a visit on a bicycle or by foot on a hot sunny afternoon is very pleasant, otherwise, take a non-drinking driver. It was CAMRA's best pub in the south west in 1990.