History of the Stroudwater Navigation

The Stoudwater Navigation meandered for eight miles from the River Severn at Framilode to Wallbridge near Stroud. Although mooted as early as the 1720s, it took more than half a century for the line to reach fruition in 1779 - but it went on to become highly profitable.

In 1789 the opening of the Thames and Severn linked the Stroudwater Navigation with the Thames at Inglesham thereby creating a through route to London. It was later bisected by the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, thereby creating the waterway crossroads of Saul Junction.

The canal was closed in the 1950s. Restoration began 20 years later, and has scored several notable successes. An especially attractive section around Blunder Lock is easily accessible from the M5 motorway (leave on the A419). The Heritage Lottery Fund has recently allocated a substantial grant for further restoration of the canal.

The short section between Saul Junction, on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and the River Severn itself is still easily traced but is unlikely to be restored. Eventual access to the River Severn from the Cotswold Canals will either be via Sharpness or, more likely for inland navigators, Gloucester.