Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The canal crosses the River Frome with Wyecliffe College Boat Club alongside, followed
immediately by Saul Junction, an unusual canal crossroads with the Stroudwater Canal. The
older waterway was abandoned in 1954 and the remaining section is used for moorings. In its
heyday it connected the River Severn via the Thames & Severn Canal with the River Thames
at Lechlade. The Cotswold Canals Trust base is here and restoration is taking place east-
wards, although not to reconnect the canal to the river, considered unsafe.
Frampton on Severn is a village constructed around Rosamund's Green, which at 800m x
100m is one of Britain's largest, including three ponds and a cricket pitch and surrounded
by Georgian and half-timbered houses. It was named after Henry II's Fair Rosamunde, who
was born at Frampton Manor. Frampton Court is a Palladian manor of 1733 to which a 1745
Gothic orangery and an octagonal dovecote were added. A Roman villa had a great mosaic
and, at Church End, the 14th century canalside St Mary's church has excellent stained glass
and monuments, delicate detailing to the turrets on the top of the tower and a Romanesque
lead font.
The canal can handle large trip boats
.
The Tudor Arms stands by the canal at Shepherd's Patch, an area once known for its sheep
grazing. Towpath walkers with dogs give way to walkers with field glasses, drawing atten-
tion to the headquarters of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, although only the odd observa-
tion point of the Slimbridge centre can be seen from the canal. Established in 1946 by Sir
Peter Scott, who also played a central role in setting up the Inland Waterways Association,
Slimbridge has 160 resident species in addition to the migrant population - the world's largest
collection - and is a 40ha centre for much important bird research. Varieties range from pink
