The Richmond Lock Boat Rollers are located in Arch 1 of Richmond Lock and Weir, a structure spanning the full width of the River Thames between Teddington and Richmond.

The weir comprises a footbridge with five arches, incorporating sluice gates, a lock, and these dedicated boat rollers for human-powered vessels.

When the weir gates are lowered — roughly from two hours after high water until two hours before high water — the weir arches are blocked and an exclusion zone is enforced.

During this period, human-powered vessels such as canoes and rowing boats must use the boat rollers in Arch 1 to pass the structure, while power-driven vessels are directed to the lock in Arch 5.