Dundas Aqueducta Masterpiece of Canal Engineering

Designed by John Rennie and chief engineer John Thomas | Completed in 1801 | On the Kennet & Avon Canal

Construction began in 1797

History & Construction of the Dundas Aqueduct

The aqueduct was designed by renowned civil engineer John Rennie, with construction overseen by chief engineer John Thomas. Work began in 1797 and was completed by 1801, forming a critical part of the newly constructed Kennet and Avon Canal, which aimed to connect the River Thames at Reading with the Bristol Channel at Bath.

It was named in honour of Charles Dundas, the first chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal Company and a strong supporter of the canal network.

The Dundas Aqueduct is one of Britain’s finest surviving examples of Georgian canal engineering. Spanning the River Avon near Monkton Combe in Somerset, this magnificent structure carries the Kennet and Avon Canal and remains a key landmark in British waterways history.

Construction Materials and Architecture

The Dundas Aqueduct is built primarily from Bath stone, a high-quality limestone quarried locally. It features elegant classical architectural detailing, reflecting John Rennie’s preference for neoclassical design in civil structures.

Key Dimensions:
Total length: approximately 490 feet, almost 150 yards.
Main central span: 64 feet wide
Two side arches: Each 20 feet wide
Height above the River Avon: Approximately 33 feet

The aqueduct’s profile includes three elliptical arches, with decorative balustrades and cornices accentuating its stunning Georgian elegance.

Decline in the 20th Century

As commercial canal use declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so too did maintenance of the Dundas Aqueduct. Structural weaknesses developed, especially in the central span. By the 1950's, the aqueduct had become unsafe for navigation, and the canal section over the aqueduct was officially closed.

Years of neglect and water leakage had caused significant stone erosion and subsidence, putting the entire structure at risk of collapse.

Restoration & Reopening

Thanks to growing public and heritage interest in the UK canal system, the Dundas Aqueduct was selected for restoration in the 1980's as part of broader efforts to revive the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Key Restoration Work Included:

• Structural reinforcement of the central arch
• Replacement of deteriorated Bath stone using original quarry sources
• Waterproofing the canal channel to prevent further leakage
• Re-establishing navigation for canal boats

The restored aqueduct was officially reopened to navigation in 1984, and remains a key attraction on the canal today.

Dundas Aqueduct Today

Today, the Dundas Aqueduct is a Grade I listed structure and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It is frequently visited by:

Canal boaters cruising the Kennet and Avon Canal
Walkers and cyclists along the Bath & Two Tunnels Greenway
Nature lovers and historians exploring the Avon Valley and Claverton countryside
Nearby, the Dundas Wharf offers mooring, a canal-side cafe, and even access to boat hire for day trips.

You can visit the Dundas Aqueduct via:

The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath
Local roads from Bath (about 4 miles east)
Public footpaths from Monkton Combe or Limpley Stoke

A Symbol of Canal Heritage

The Dundas Aqueduct stands as a testament to the ambition, skill, and legacy of Britain’s early canal engineers. Thanks to thoughtful restoration, it continues to serve both leisure navigation and as a cherished landmark in Somerset's canal landscape.

You can still see the warehouse crane In Brassknocker Basin.