Grand Union Canal Welford Arm
1.6 miles long with 1 locks

History and General Knowledge of the Grand Union Canal Welford Arm

At only 1.6 miles, the Welford Arm branches off the Leicester Line about a mile and a half south east of the village of North Kilworth and to finish between Welford Reservoir and the village of Weldord.

Very pretty along its short distance with no more than a handful of farms on either bank.

At the Welford end, there are good boater services including: Short Term Mooring, Refuse and Elsan Dispose, Water Point, Toilets and two nice hospitality outlets. The Wharf Inn and Totty Teas.

Welford boasts a Village Store and Post Office.

History of the Grand Union Canal Welford Arm

A canal branch that runs from the Grand Union Canal near the village of Welford in Northamptonshire, England. The canal branch was built in the early 19th century and was originally intended to connect the Grand Union Canal via the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line to the River Avon at Warwick, but the project was never completed.

The Grand Union Canal itself was formed in the 1920's through the amalgamation of several canals, including the Grand Junction Canal, the Warwick and Napton Canal, and the Oxford Canal. The Welford Arm was constructed in the early 1800's as part of the Warwick and Napton Canal, which was designed to connect the coalfields of the Midlands with the growing industries of Warwick and Leamington Spa.

Construction of the Welford Arm began in 1793 and was completed in 1800. The canal was built to a narrow gauge, with a maximum width of just 7 feet, to reduce construction costs. The Welford Arm runs for 1.6 miles and includes 1 lock, which allow boats to navigate the small change in water level along the canal.

The Welford Arm was primarily used to transport coal, timber, and agricultural produce to the local markets. It also played a role in the development of the local iron and steel industries, as the canal provided a cheap and efficient method of transporting raw materials to the factories.

In the mid-19th century, the Welford Arm experienced a decline in traffic due to the growth of the railway network. By the early 20th century, the canal was mostly used for leisure purposes, and many of the locks fell into disrepair.

In the 1960's, there were plans to close the Welford Arm and fill it in, but these plans were met with opposition from local residents and canal enthusiasts. In 1967, the canal was officially designated as a "remainder waterway," which meant that it would be preserved as a navigable waterway.

Today, the Welford Arm of the Grand Union Canal is a popular destination for boaters, anglers, and walkers. The canal is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters, kingfishers, and herons. In recent years, there have been efforts to restore some of the locks along the canal, in order to improve the navigability of the waterway.

In summary, the Grand Union Canal Welford Arm played an important role in the transportation of goods and the development of the local industries in the early 19th century. Although it fell into decline in the mid-19th century, it has since been preserved as a leisure destination, and efforts are being made to restore some of the locks along the canal.