The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust are actively promoting full
restoration to a point where the system becomes fully navigable
again. Drayton Lock is one area where the trust has been working
hard having cleared the lock chamber of all its accumulated
detritus. Unfortunately, if a controversial new reservoir planned
for the area is ever built this lock and the surrounding area will
one day be under many feet of water. More information about the
canal can be found at http://www.wilts-berks-canal.org.uk/.
Drayton Lock is quite isolated but good paths approach it from
several directions. Probably the easiest approach if you're driving
is to park in Drayton village in one of the residential streets
(one of which is called Lockway) near the farm access bridge which
crosses the A34 at N51º38.595’ W001º19.186’. The lock
is about 2km walk from here.
The lock chamber is relatively intact and the canal bed above
the lock is easily visible as it approaches the lock on an
embankment. There is an information board near the lock at
N51º38.578’ W001º20.830’.
The cache is a 2 litre plastic container containing various
goodies.