On the Stratford Canal

Bridge 62 on the Grand Union

Turning off the Grand Union at Kingswood Junction

In lock 24 on the Stratford Canal

Lock on Stratford Canal

Typical Stratford Canal lock-keeper's cottage 

We set off in sunny weather at 9am and stopped a mile later at the village of Hatton where Denise’s sister joined us.  Our journey up the Grand Union ended when we turned left at Kingswood Junction onto a short channel that brought us to the Stratford Canal. 

The canal is very attractive with some features not often seen elsewhere.  In particular the photos show an iron bridge with a gap in the middle to allow horse drawn boats  to pass through without it being necessary to disconnect the horse.  Another photo shows the interesting barrel roof design adopted for the lock keepers cottages.

 Now travelling south we will be passing through 35 narrow locks which will take us back down to the Avon. Today’s journey accounted for 9 of these.  We stopped for lunch after 6 locks and completed the remaining 3 in the afternoon mooring in in the village of Lowsonford where we will spend the night.

Weather: Varied, sunny, cloudy, occasional heavy showers.

7.17 miles, 9 locks, 4 hours 35 minutes