Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
18
Grand Western Canal
Distance
18km from Tiverton to Greenham
Highlights
Tiverton Basin, horsedrawn trip boats and kilns
Navigation Authority
Devon County Council
Canal Society
Grand Western Canal Trust
OS 1:50,000 Sheet
181 Minehead & Brendon Hills
The Grand Western Canal was part of a scheme to link the Bristol Channel with the English
Channel. The Taunton to Topsham section was authorised in 1796 and John Rennie built the
Greenham to Tiverton section between 1810 and 1814 as a single-level, wide beam barge
canal, following the contours. The section through to Taunton was opened in 1838 and was an
engineering marvel, having one inclined plane and seven vertical lifts, the only place where
these really worked successfully. The lifts required trains of box like tub boats carrying 4-8t
each. The lower section was disused by 1867 although signs of the lifts are still visible at
Nynehead.
The lower section remained in use until 1924, when there was major leakage, being of-
ficially abandoned in 1962. In 1970 it was taken over by Devon County Council (in whose
county the whole wide-beam section of the canal lies) and restored as a country park, includ-
ing returning water to a dry section. Someone who made use of the canal was marathon runner
Jo Purvey, who did her Olympic training along the towpath. Because the waterway is not con-
nected to the rest of the canal network, boats have to be brought overland. It is therefore a nice
quiet and clean place.
The canal is featured strongly in the Tiverton Museum, together with a 200-year-old forge,
the first lace-making machine and railway equipment.
