A Tale of Two Canals Saul Junction Gloucestershire UK

Описание: This film covers a visit to Saul Junction in Gloucestershire. It is the crossing point of the Thames to Severn and the Gloucester to
Sharpness canals. There is a great deal of waterside activity including a dock yard with a dry-dock and an extensive marina. There are
live-aboard craft as well as passing narrow boat trade. A tranquil canal side visit to sit and watch life afloat.
Saul Junction in Gloucestershire is where the Gloucester to Sharpness, meets the Thames to Severn canal. The Thames to Severn was built in the late 1700’s and although it always suffered from water supply issues on its upper levels, it was never the less quite a success for a while, enabling the transport of goods east to west and into the capital. It transported raw materials in and finished goods into and out of London and many canal and riverside communities on the way.
The Gloucester to Sharpness canal was built primarily to avoid the dangerous moving sandbanks of the River Severn which restricted transport of goods to two or three days a month when the tides were right. After completion trade was an everyday affair, and for a time Gloucester became the largest inland port in the country if not the world.
The joining of the two canals didn’t go without a hitch as you can probably imagine and one notorious and undoubtedly hilarious incident is narrated in the film.
Today as ever narrow boats sail the waters although more for pleasure than trade, and the dry dock in the repair yard is as busy as ever it was. A large marina supports ‘live a boards’ and provides refuge to the many canal users. Looking for a day out in Gloucestershire? You could do worse than visit Saul Junction. A cafe is available nearby.


The National Waterways Museum situated in Gloucester docks adjacent to 'The Quays' outlet shopping area, provides a wealth of information on inland waterways. It is run by the Canals and Riverside Trust and is open on most days of the Year. Situated in a former Warehouse itself an historical monument, it sets out not only to display relics from our waterborne history, but to explain how trade was conducted, managed and controlled, often with commentary from people that worked and lived on the canals rivers and docks. Clues are provided on how the waterways were constructed and maintained. There are boats inside and floating outside to interest anyone who has a yearning for life afloat. This area is surrounded with places to eat parking as well as plenty of shops for those who need retail therapy to get through the day; it is just coming out of lock-down as this goes out.