D and I spent yesterday afternoon walking along the Stratford-upon-Avon canal along some of the Lapworth Lock Section. We have walked various sections of this canal before but not the part near Lapworth.
The Stratford-upon-Avon canal starts from its junction with the Worcester and Birmingham canal at King's Norton, South Birmingham, and finishes at the River Avon in Stratford.
The Act of Parliament required to build all canals was passed in 1793. The North section of the canal to Hockley Heath which is lock free was constructed in 3 years but used up all the money raised! It took another 23 years to raise the £297,000 needed to finish the whole canal which eventually opened in Stratford in 1816. Lapworth lock flight is the longest on this canal.
In some of the photos you can see the "split bridges" which are unique to this particular canal. They were built in such a way that the towing rope from the horse to the boat could pass through the centre of the bridges without being unhitched.
Timothy came too although he got a little overheated in his jumper!
We walked nearly as far as the point where the canal meets the Grand Union Canal
This is the furthest part of the walk.
Arty photos by D - reflections and a seedhead.
Halfway back to the car it was time for a break. We had the choice of a drink at The Boot Inn (to be honest it was so hot I could have murdered a pint of Doombar but sadly I was driving and in any case pubs don't usually in my experience serve cake!) so we settled on a visit to the tea-room at the Canal Shop. The Canal Shop was a real discovery - plants and canal related souvenirs for sale and delicious home-made cakes.
We both picked the Lemon Drizzle cake and
Timothy thoroughly approved :)
Lots of signs of approaching autumn as we walked the tow path - rose hips, acorns, elderberries, haws and still plenty of blackberries.
We didn't see too many birds just Moorhen, Mallard, Robins, Blue Tits and three Buzzards soaring in the distance.
Nearly back at the car which we had parked
under a shady tree.
Yews at Packwood - I visited the gardens there with a friend last week so will do a post in a few days.
One of the prettiest cottages in Knowle.
*D Photos taken by D with the Canon Bridge SX50
I do love a good canal post, which this was and, I love to be beside a canal but it all looks such hard work being on a narrow-boat. I shall stick to watching.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge spider at bottom left of that seed-head!
Toffeeapple - Thanks so very much - so glad you enjoyed! I tend to agree about it being hard work!!! There were so many locks in that section just one after another!! Lovely walk but a bit crowded due to sun and bank holiday no doubt!
ReplyDeleteGosh thanks for that spider information. You know I hadn't spotted that!!
What a wonderful walk. I always enjoy walking along the canal towpaths as there is so much wildlife and industrial history to see and learn about Like you we have walked our local canals in sections. We've seen so many fruits, berries, hips and hawes on our travels recently it is going to be a bounteous autumn this year:)
ReplyDeleteRosie - Thanks so much. I agree canals are a super place to walk and always so much of interest to see :) Also agree about it being a bounteous autumn - hopefully providing plenty of food for the birds when the weather turns colder.
ReplyDeleteA lovely walk and cake, sounds perfect to me!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, we live not far from the Leeds to Liverpool canal, sadly we don't seem to get the time to visit it much as it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteDo you not fancy renting a boat for the day ? photos are lovely and there is so much wildlife to be found along the canal a bit like church yards left alone to get on with it.
I love the Swan planter and always nice to stop for cake:)
Amanda xx
Pam - Thanks Pam - was a lovely walk :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda Peters - Thanks Amanda. Coincidentally I was talking to my son about either hiring a boat for the day or a short boating holiday. Norfolk area might be nice for the latter - flatter there perhaps less locks!!