Travelling to Weedon on the Grand Union Canal

Saturday, 18 October 2008 18:18

We traveled a really long way today   We looked at the map and Weedon looked interesting. It is a place whose name is familiar to us and other canal users and has quite a history.

We would also like to see if there was a service at the church on Sunday morning. Apparently there were good moorings near the church.

Once again it was a sunny day. How much longer can this go on? I am definitely not grumbling though, as it will make the winter seem shorter.

We set off at a leisurely pace admiring the scenery and meeting the odd boat coming the other way. There are a few nice mooring spots and these were duly noted for another time! The canal is a little bendy between bridges 23 and 24 and there has been some infilling of the off-side bank recently.

We saw the church on our right and ignoring the long stretch of towpath bank with piling which made very good moorings, we continued a bit longer and there was our spot. Made for us - on the off-side 14 day moorings right by the steps down to the church. The Almighty is obviously making sure we have no excuse to miss church


Following lunch we descended the steps, (just seen at right of photo)  crossed the Nene Way and went into the churchyard. Unfortunately the church was locked so we will have to wait until tomorrow to view it - it dates from the 12th century.

Crossing the infant River Nene, we wandered into Weedon Bec, one of 3 parts of Weedon. It has a long history from AD43. Saxons, Normans, the Middle Ages, Tudor, Stuarts and Hanovers have all left their "mark". 

It is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and the sign in the village commemorates the Golden Jubilee of 2002.

Further up the hill is The Weedon Depot. Built in 1803 and served by the canal, entered through a portcullis.


It was an armament depot used variously as an arms store, a potential Royal Residence in case of Napoleonic invasion and the Army School of Equitation. Yes, I do know what that word means! Lots of smelly manure?!

Much has been demolished now and the army left in 1965, but it is still used for storage and light industry. More details about the area can be found on the ubiquitous wikipedia.

Returning to the boat via the One Stop shop John got the paint pot out and I did a bit of baking. We averted two near disasters - a lens from my glasses fell out - where was the screw - and John's mobile fell out of his pocket onto the bank. We found the screw so my glassess are mended and John spotted his phone fairly soon.

Then we relaxed!

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