A choice at Kingswood Junction on the GU Canal

Thursday, 05 January 2012 08:27

After completing the 21 lock Hatton flight, life became easier as the Grand Union Canal wended its way to Kingswood Junction at Lapworth. We had Shrewley Tunnel to do and I had some more photos to take from the bow of Epiphany.

The Grand Union and Ball's Bridge 58

Shrewley Tunnel is not very long but it is very wet ......

There was one narrowboat moored beyond Ball's Bridge - it is a cutting, so rather overhung with trees.

Through Ball's Bridge to Shrewley Tunnel

The tunnel is wide enough for two narrowboats to pass, but as we had seen only one on the move coming down Hatton flight we were not really expecting to see many more, despite the wonderful day. The tunnel is under the village of Shrewley and avoided the need for a cut through the village! The towpath follows a tunnel of its own to Shrewley Common Road, then descends again to the canal at the northern portal. (http://www.canalcuttings.co.uk/features/Grand-Union-Canal-Shrewley-Tunnel-About-With-Photos.html) 

Shrewley Tunnel here we come

Exiting at the northern end

White Bridge (61) has seen better days, although it was built in 1982 according to the sign below the bridge bed.

White Bridge

Near Turner's Green, the pub knows as Tom o' The Wood (http://www.tomothewood.co.uk) has its own BW designated moorings! Well, the moorings are known as "Tom o' The Wood moorings". The pub itself is a bit of a way further up the canal at Turner's Bridge.

Tom o' The Wood moorings

This character greeted us just before the bridge

Turner's Green Bridge and Tom o' The Wood hiding behind the trees on the right

Apparently there were three windmills in the area of Rowington (http://www.rowington.org/Rowington/history.html) and one was named Tom o' The Wood, located near the pub which now bears its name. The pub looked rather nice and later on we came back to investigate.

Beyond the bridge is Flixton House - with a lovely garden

It was not far now to Kingswood Junction - we hoped to meet John L here. There was no sign of him at the Junction, maybe the smell of his pasty would bring him; but first we had to make a decision. Do we turn left to moor on the Junction Arm that leads to the Stratford Canal (North and South) or stay on the Grand Union with its open aspect?

KIngswood Junction

It was no contest really as we planned to stay for a few days and wanted a satellite signal! There was lots of space above the Junction so we settled on our mooring on the GU. John L arrived just as we did!

Moored above Kingswood Junction Arm

The Navigation Inn at the next bridge is closed (there is an alarm ringing, but all is deserted). We decided to go (by car) to Tom o' The Woods for our evening meal. A good decision - it is a really nice pub and the service and food were excellent - to be recommended!

Grand Union Canal, Saltisford Arm to Kingswood Junction Arm
4 hours 48 minutes, 7.18 miles, 21 locks