Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10 Oxford Canal
Distance
37km from Hawkesbury Junction to Braunston Turn and 81 km from Napton to Oxford
Highlights
Extreme contouring near Wormleighton
Tooley's Boatyard, Banbury
Colleges of the University of Oxford
Navigation Authority
Canal & River Trust
Canal Society
Friends of Oxford Canal & Basin
OS 1:50,000 Sheets
140 Leicester
151 Stratford-upon-Avon
152 Northampton & Milton Keynes
164 Oxford
The Oxford canal formed part of the original Grand Cross scheme to link the Thames, Mersey,
Trent and Severn. From 1769 until the time of his death in 1772, James Brindley took the Ox-
ford Canal from Coventry as far as Brinklow. Samuel Simcock took over, reaching Banbury in
1778, then Robert Whitworth continued to the River Thames by 1790. A contour canal, it had
many meanders, especially on the northern section. It lost traffic after 1805 when the Grand
Union Canal provided competition. In response, it was shortened between 1828 and 1834, cut-
ting 22km off its length. From 1840, it lost further traffic to the railways. Even so, it remained
profitable and paid a dividend right up to nationalisation in 1947. The last commercial traffic
was carried in the 1950s but it is now one of the busiest canals in the country.
The Oxford Canal leaves the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction. It is approached un-
der a cast-iron bridge, one of a number of these graceful structures, particularly on the northern
section.
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