It is on the northern bank of the river in Oxfordshire, at a considerable distance from any village, the nearest being Buckland Marsh, a hamlet on the road to Buckland to the south of the river.

A survey made in 1790 concluded that the site was unsuitable for a pound lock, and it was built at Rushey instead.

Keepers at Rushey had oversight of Old Nan's Weir which was finally removed in 1868.

Rushey lock was reported as in a bad state of deterioration in 1857 and the weir also in 1871, repairs being needed on both occasions.

A short way before Radcot Lock is Old Man's Bridge which is on the site of a former weir.