The South Stratford Canal

Unlike the north section this part of the canal was abandoned and then restored by the National Trust under the guidance of David Hutchings. They didn’t know about canals at the time and begged borrowed and obtained equipment from wherever they could find it.

Once the canal was completed by the national Trust operated it but again they were out of their depth. Finally British waterways took over the canal but the locks and other infrastructures are a legacy of what was done by the National Trust and are a hotch potch of styles and functionality.

The original barrel roofed lock keepers cottages survive although some have been extended out of all recognition presumably in the days when you could avoid the planning departments.












Most split bridges survive but horse boats no longer make use of the tow rope split






The Fleur De Lys pub at Lowensford has still got the upmarket food that Brian refused to eat 17 years ago when we last stopped here. This we found something he could eat albeit at a high price




The canal has 3 aqueducts all made from cast iron with a tow path trough below the level of the boat.

The first and smallest is the Yaringale aqueduct over a small river below










The next is the Wootton Wawen aqueduct over a busy road (look though the window of the boat to see the road below)
















The last is the magnificent Edstone aqueduct which passes over both a railway and road below.






The weather became untypically English hot and sunny with temperatures above the South of France and comparable to those in St Kitts, so we holed up under the trees in the middle of nowhere for a few days before setting of again. Sue does not like locking in very hot sun.




The Wilmcote flight has locks that will catch out the unwary. Poor restoration by the National Trust has left dangerous projections in the locks to hang up boats





Stratford is in the distance. Nearly there











Evidence of the National Trust legacy











Just a few locks to go down







Crazy short angled lock beam due to road widening









The last lock









The final bend









The last low bridge








Et Voila, Bancroft Basin right in the heart of Stratford upon Avon










The welcoming committee helps us moor up







Unfortunately the area has building work due to the revamping of the gardens and the Shakespeare theatre.


















For soothe it is verily noble that the good ship Invicta doth reach the fine waters of Will’s home. Is it the slings and windlasses that I see before me, or the canneth of Boddingtons?

Drink, for we will be merry this eve!!!!
Brian Badminton 2008