This is the third in a series of walks describing the length of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.
With good car parks and facilities at both ends, this delightful four-mile walk can be done in either direction. However, in keeping with the other walks in the series it is written as a continuation from Sellars to Saul Junction. As well as beautiful scenery, this walk offers historical interest (including missing bridges) and maintains a very rural feel throughout.
Sadly, the good concrete path that we have followed all the way from Gloucester does not continue beyond Sellars Bridge. Whilst the towpath is a good solid track, from here on it becomes more muddy and uneven, so is no longer so accessible or easy to cycle.
Start: The Pilot Inn, Sellars Rd, Hardwicke, Gloucester GL2 4QD OS Grid ref: SO 79651 13505
Finish: Sandfield Bridge, Church Lane, Frampton on Severn, Gloucester GL2 7LA Gride ref: SO 7535 0900
Route instructions
Sellers bridge
1. The walk starts from the carpark at the Pilot Inn. Turn left out of the carpark and walk a short distance to Sellars Bridge. Be careful of traffic on the short stretch of narrow busy road. This is another manual bridge, look out for the black hand wind mechanism.
2. After just over half a mile from Sellars Bridge you come to the site of the old Hardwicke Bridge. The bridge served agricultural land belonging to Hardwicke Court but was removed in the 1980s to save the cost of the bridgeman. The old bridge keeper’s cottage has been restored as a private residence. The timbers that prevented mooring where the bridge would open are still in place on the far bank. supporting
3. Construction on the canal was begun with an Act of Parliament in 1793. However, it was troubled by inexperience of building ship canals and lack of funding in the early stages. The first phase of construction was completed to Hardwicke at approximately this milepost (5 miles from Gloucester).
Mile post
4. Just beyond Hardwick the view begins to open up and provides far reaching views across the neighbouring farmland.
Pegthorne Bridge (missing bridge)
After just over two miles you come to Parkend Bridge. There are a number of permanent moorings here and the first indication that you are approaching the bridge is the number of moored boats along both sides of the canal.
6. About one mile beyond Parkend Bridge you come to the site of another “missing” bridge. This was Pegthorne Bridge. Again, this linked agricultural land until it was damaged in the 1940s, since when it has never been replaced.
Pegthorne Bridge (missing bridge)
7. As you approach the end of your walk at Saul Junction, once again the number of moored boats increases and the crane at RW Davis, shipbuilders is a visible landmark that you are nearing the end of your walk.
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
8. The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was built to take ocean going vessels on the 19th Century. As such you will see some larger and more unusual vessels than those you might see on other inland waterways elsewhere in the country.
9. As you come to Saul Junction you will pass the Wycliffe College boat house just before you get to Junction Bridge.
10. Saul Junction is the point at which the Stroudwater Navigation crosses the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. The Stroudwater Navigation was constructed from 1775 to 1779. It was constructed from Framilode on the banks of the River Severn to Wallbridge in Stroud. Traffic on the Stroudwater ceased in 1941. The section of this canal down to the River Severn is a pretty walk, but no longer remains viable for boat traffic. The docks at Sharpness provide easier access to both canals than the old lock at Framilode, which has since been filled in. Work is ongoing on restoration of the Stroudwater Navigation from Saul Junction to Stroud, but all that remains of the section to Framilode is this lock.
Saul Junction
11. The milepost visible in this photograph marks the halfway point between Gloucester and Sharpness.
Moored boats on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
This walk finishes at Sandfield Bridge just beyond the Stables Café where you can purchase refreshments if you choose. The large car park at Saul Junction is now behind you. If you are catching a bus back to your car at the Pilot Inn in Quedgeley, the bus stop is just on the other side of the bridge, catch the no. 113A.
