It was known as Egham Lock, but took its name from Charles "Charlie" Bell who founded in the 18th century an inn by the site, The Anglers Retreat, which he continued to operate when entrusted with keeping the lock and weir.

Immediately on the left bank (right heading upstream) is a water input and management facility at the Hythe End part of Wraysbury that supplies the Staines Reservoirs followed by low-rise housing with gardens as on "The Island"; woods facing Magna Carta Island tucked close followed by Pats Croft Eyot; and more riverside dwellings at Wraysbury and on Friary Island.

The refreshment terraces of a hotel and spa adjoin the lock; hot-tub tugs and others with awnings operate.

[5][6] The Thames Path, having changed sides at Staines Bridge runs along the right bank to Old Windsor Lock.

It was half-past seven when we were through .... We had originally intended to go on to Magna Carta Island....But somehow we did not feel that we yearned for the picturesque nearly so much now as we had earlier in the day.