A Quick GuideThe Cotswold Canals
traverse some of the most beautiful parts of the British Isles,a
landscape of hills, valleys and flowing water; where the abundant
mills once gave the area prime importance in the cloth industry
and indeed provided the necessity for the canals. A long distance
footpath, the Thames & Severn Way, links the Rivers Severn
and Thames following as closely as possible the towpath of the
Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal.
This footpath begins at Framilode church on the banks of the
River Severn, near the entrance to the Stroudwater Navigation and
ends at Halfpenny Bridge, spanning the River Thames at Lechlade,
just downstream from the end of the Thames & Severn Canal at
Inglesham. Between these two rivers lie 36 miles of wonderful and
contrasting scenery.
Leaving the River Severn's own long distance footpath, the Severn
Way, the level farmland of the river gives way to the gentle rise
in the land towards Stroud, past mills, former railway lines,
hanging woods and rushing water. The junction of the two canals,
in their urban setting at Wallbridge Stroud, contrasts the
narrowing valley of the River Frome as the climb towards the,
summit pound of the canal begins in earnest.
The Stroudwater Navigation approaches Stroud's suburbs and at
Wallbridge, once the terminal basin, becomes the Thames &
Severn Canal. The Thames & Severn passes very close to the
town centre as it continues its slow climb to the summit level.
The "alpine" village of Chalford marks the entrance to
the Golden Valley - an autumn visit confirms the name. Locks come
thick and fast as the valley becomes ever steeper and narrower
until, finally, the summit pound is reached at a height of 310
feet above sea level at Daneway.
The canal passes through the Cotswold Hills in Sapperton Tunnel
but the Thames & Severn Way follows the towing horses over
the hills to the Coates portal and on to the source of the River
Thames which marks the end of the Thames Long Distance Footpath.
The summit level twists and turns along the contours through open
countryside and comes close to Cirencester as it begins a more
gradual descent into the Thames Valley through flights of locks
at Siddington and South Cerney. Beyond Cerney Wick Lock is Latton
Junction where the former North Wilts Canal wound its way round
Cricklade to Swindon and joined the Wilts & Berks Canal
either to Abingdon on the Thames or Semington on the Kennet &
Avon Canal.
The Thames and Severn Canal now passes through remote countryside
as it heads towards the River Thames. It passes Eisey Manor and
the village of Kempsford before reaching the last of five round
houses which overlooks the junction with the river at Inglesham,
near Lechlade. This spot is best approached from Lechlade along
the Thames-side path or better still, by boat!
The Cotswold Canals Trust is a registered charity, number 269721.
Copyright @2007 Richard Attwood and the Cotswold Canals Trust
The CCT may be contacted at mail@cotswoldcanals.com
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