South Stratford Canal

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

Things to do along the South Stratford 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.