A map of the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal

A brief history of the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal

The Aylesbury Canal Arm was completed in 1815. It runs from Marsworth Junction for 10km to Aylesbury.

The canal has 16 locks and drops a total of 95 feet. The project took 20 years to complete, 17 years of negotiations and 3 years to build. The completion of the canal had a profound effect on the economy of Aylesbury and the surrounding district. The cast of both bringing commodities into the area and also exporting them out of the area was reduced dramatically. As soon as the canal opened the price of coal halved.

The advent of the railways and the subsequent competition inevitably eroded the profitability of the canal in the early 20th century. But for the opening of a canal boat hire company and the concerted efforts of the Aylesbury Canal Society, the canal may well have closed.

Other attractions in te area are:

• Buckinghamshire County Museum
• Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
• Limelight Theatre
• Roald Dahl Gallery
• Waddesdon Manor

There is some useful information here :-

• The Aylesbury Canal Society
  
• The Grand Union Canal

For more detailed information, follow the links below:

• Canal & River Trust
• Inland Waterways Association