Kennet and Avon Canal

The canal links the River Kennet at Newbury to the River Avon at Bath.The canal opened in 1810 and is 57 miles (92 km) long. In the later 19th century and early 20th century the canal fell into disuse following competition from the Great Western Railway, who owned the canal. In the latter half of the 20th century the canal was restored, largely by volunteers, and today is a popular heritage tourism destination

 

 

Here you can read Joseph Priestly’s 1831 description of the canal from his Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers and Canals and Railways of Great Britain.

 

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