The Grand Union Canal

We returned to Kingswood junction and took the short connecting canal to join the Grand Union Canal which runs from Birmingham to London.

We have just come through the canal on the left. The branch to the right has a lock and is the route to join the North Stratford canal.

The wall has suffered from boaters not making the turn

The bridge in front is on the Grand Union canal

Looking up the Grand Union towards Birmingham

Approaching Shrewley tunnel

This tunnel is unique in that it has a separate small tunnel to take the horses through in the days of horse drawn boats

It’s dark in the tunnel

And sue has a go at steering







The Grand Union canal was upgraded in the 1930’s. Evidence of the new canal banks is visible here.

Approaching the top lock of the mighty Hatton flight of 21 broad locks. These locks were built in the 1930’s to speed up the traffic by allowing the motor boat and towed boat (called a butty) to use the same lock.

We met up with “talisman” and crew from Stoke on Trent. The best way to use the wide locks is to rope the boats together (called breasting up).

Our additional crew lock wheeling

The paddle gear is unique to the Grand Union canal

It fills up the locks extremely fast

BW maintenance yard part way down the flight complete with period van

The classic view down the locks with Warwick in the distance

Hitch hiker in the lock







Looking back up the flight. We completed the flight in just under 2-1/2 hours and met only 2 other boats coming up.







Our goal for the day The Cape of Good Hope pub.

Note the long walk we have from the boat to bar. We were pleased to see that it had not changed in the 17 years since we last here

Rufus is the start guest








Unfortunately Rufus couldn’t take his beer and collapsed under the table