Monument record 395/1 - Old Route of Oxford Canal (d.1790)

Built 1769-90 joining the Coventry and Grand Union Canals. A new shorter alignment was made in 1832-4 between Wolfhamcote and Longford Bridge.

{2} Named "Old Canal" at SP53456490.

{3} Disused arm leaves present course at SP52126530. Passes through SP52426560, SP52606464 and SP53406444. Beyond SP53756571 its course is uncertain but was probably via SP53856569, rejoining its present course via what is now part of the Grand Junction Canal.

{4} Oxford Canal was completed from Longford to Napton in 1775. It was shortened between Napton and Braunston between 1829 and 1834.

{5} Part of Oxford Canal.

{6} Braunston parish: The sinuous pre-1834 course of the Oxford Canal shows as a distinct depression in the ground as it follows the contour to cross the River Lean. Works to considerably reduce the distance of the canal in 1834 included a major diversion at Braunston, with three miles of the canal abandoned, and a new junction created about half a mile west of the original.
Braunston Wharf: The junction of the Osford Canal and the Grand Junction Canal was widened in 1816 when the Grand Junction Co. built their shrot narrow Braunston Branch Canal from here. When the Oxford Canal was diverted in 1834 a short arm leading as far as the A45 was left.

{9} Built in 1790 by James Brindley and Samuel Simcock, it is a supreme example of early contour canal. Later straightened and modernised by William Cubitt (1834).

<1> 1955, OS 6 INCH MAP, SP56SW (Map). SNN1250.

<2> 1906, OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN56907.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56NW11 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> De Salis H.R., 1897, A Chronology of Inland Navigation, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN1253.

<5> 1787, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN43580.

<6> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, p.14 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.

<7> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2011, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire (2nd Edition), p.16 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN107622.

<9> CROWE N., 1994, Canals, p.123 (checked) (Book). SNN76963.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:55PM