History

History of The Grand Western Canal

The Grand Western Canal dates back to 1814, when it was built as part of a major transportation plan to link the Exeter Ship Canal to the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, thus avoiding the long and dangerous voyage around Lands End. John Rennie who supervised the construction work between 1810 and 1814 surveyed the Canal's route.

The canal was built primary for the use of the lime trade, conveying stone from the quarries at Loudwells to Tiverton Lime Kilns for firing and producing lime for farming and house building.

In 1838 the Canal was extended from Loudwells to Taunton, which had seven lifts and an incline plane.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century the Horse-drawn Barge was one of the cheapest and fastest means of commercial transport and the Canal worked commercially for 130 years.

However, the Canal also witnessed the intrusion of the Railways with the building of the Aqueduct and then the opening of the Tiverton Branch Line in 1838, which, resulted in the Canal's decline whereupon it was sold to GWR.

The last steam train on this line was the "Tivvy Bumper" now preserved at Tiverton Museum.

The section of 14 miles from Loudwell to Taunton is now dry. The remaining 11 miles runs through some of the prettiest countryside in Devon, with the Canal's survival due to the fresh water springs that naturally feed it.

The Canal is home for an abundance of wildlife, including a large variety of fish and the ever constant mallard ducks. It's banks are a natural habitat for dragonflies, kingfishers, yellow water iris and white water lilies.

There are varied walks to be enjoyed along the canal, including the unrestored sections with the historical remains of James Green's tub boat lifts.

Course fishing is a popular pastime along the canal, with many a story to be told of the catch. A Canal permit and rod license is required and there is plenty of perch, roach, pike, for all. You can bring your own boat to catch that fish, or perhaps take a picnic trip.

You can also travel along this beautiful Canal on a traditionally painted Horse-drawn Barge, the only one in the West Country.

The Canal Country Park has something for everyone. If you would like more information on British Canals in general, check out the British Waterways at

www.britishwaterways.co.uk and Inland Navigation at www.aina.org.uk