Skip to main content

The charity making life better by water

Boat crossing aqueduct on Stratford Canal

South Stratford Canal

The South Stratford Canal is a picturesque stretch, containing several historic split bridges.

Free guides for fun days out

Download our free guides - over 100 places to visit

Local to you

Show me places within...

Explore your nearest canals and ways to enjoy them Find walks, activities and more within:

of

The split bridges were an ingenious design intended to allow boats to pass underneath without the need to unhitch horses from their tow-ropes.

Read about the history of the Stratford upon Avon Canal

Where does the water come from?

Water in the South Stratford Canal at Stratford-UponAvon comes through Kingswood Junction, where the Stratford Canal meets the Grand Union Canal. Reservoirs feeding this part of the network include Earlswood Lakes, Rotton Park, Reservoir in Birmingham and Upper Bittell and Cofton Reservoirs near Alvechurch. Water may also come from Olton Reservoir on the 10 Mile Pound of the Grand Union Canal.

Earlswood Lakes have a total capacity of 692 million litres (megalitres). Unlike most reservoirs, water from them is pumped up into the canal. Some water flows into the canal from local streams, called feeders.

The Stratford Canal links the River Avon at Stratford with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and was built for the transportation of coal.

When River Lock (in fron of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) is used to lower a boat from the Stratford Canal to the River Avon, a pump recirculates water back into Bancroft Basin.

Days out along the Stratford upon Avon Canal

photo of a location on the canals
newsletter logo

Stay connected

Sign up to our newsletter and discover how we protect canals and help nature thrive