The 52-mile (84 km) canal linking the Kennet and Avon Canal at Semington near Melksham, to the River Thames at Abingdon was cut during the years 1796 to 1810 and was opened in 1810. The canal was formally abandoned in 1914 following a breach at the Stanley aqueduct in 1901 which prevented boat traffic. The canal was crucial in transporting the materials to create the railway works in Swindon but unfortunately the opening of the railway meant the canal was no longer in demand. The section of canal running north / south through Wichelstowe runs along the original canal alignment. As much of the original route is no longer accessible the East / West section runs along a new route which forms part of the wider ambitions to reconnect sections of the canal.
All the streets in Middle Wichel are named after people and places connected to the canal. For example Chaddington Strand is named after Chaddington Lock and Priestly House is named after Mr Joseph Priestly canal manager in the canals 1830’s hey day.
The official name of the canal is the “Wilts & Berks Canal” as cited in the Private Acts of Parliament that authorised its building and abandonment. It is not the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal!
Many of the historic canal features and names can still be found throughout Swindon including bridges and names such as ‘Canal Walk’.
You can find out more about the Canal Trust here.
