Services Directory Video
Stoppages on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

A map of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

The map displays a range of services available on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Simply click the box next to any service being displayed in the Map Key on the left of your screen.

Map Key

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Attraction
Historic Buildings
Castle
Museum
Theatre
Airport
Train Station
Bus Station
Public Houses
Restaurants
Licensed
Boat Yards
Marinas
Petrol
Diesel
Electricity Points
Water Points
Food Shops
Recycling Points
Sanitory Stations
Self Use Pump Outs
Sewage Disposal
Refuse Disposal
Mooring Overnight
Calor Gas
Laundries
Wi Fi
Winding Holes
Lock
Bridge
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A brief history of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

Canal Details
Canal length : 16.3 miles
Locks : 2
Width : 86ft 6ins
Draught : 18ft ins

The Gloucester & Sharpness canal runs from Sharpness which is on the tidal reaches of the River Severn, to Gloucester where it joins the Severn Navigation Canal. The route provides a constantly navigable connection between Gloucester and the upper navigable section of the River Severn, avoiding areas such as the dangerous bend near Arlingham.

The canal was originally renowned as being the broadest and deepest canal in the world.

The original paln was concieved in the late 18th century, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1793 authorising the raising of £200k. However the project soon ran into financial difficulties. The project vertually stopped for almost 20 years but was restarted in 1817 and finally completed in 1827. The final cost of the canal was £440k. The canal was 26m wide, 5.5m deep allowing ships of up to 600 tons to navigaite the canal.

There are some very interesting videos on the Cotswold Canal Trust's YouTube Channel.

For more detailed information, follow the links below: