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Allington Lock was constructed by the Lower Navigation Company in 1792 and provides a gateway between the tidal and the inland waterway sections of the River Medway. The lock was rebuilt and enlarged in 1881 making College Lock in the centre of Maidstone redundant. Allington Lock made Maidstone accessible to goods barges at all stages of the tide. The Medway is tidal as far as Allington Lock, without which the tide would extend as far as East Farleigh.

The River Medway can be crossed at Allington Lock in two stages. Allington Lock House seen here is on the south side. The date in the left hand gable is 1833. For the setting of Allington Lock House see Link Confusingly there is also a lock keeper's house called Lock Cottage - see Link On this side a road leads through the woods to Castle Road at Allington. A tea hut is located in a very pleasant position in the Old Toll Kiosk on the other side of the lock.