The Cotswold Canals Trust

Home
United Kingdom
Stroud
The Cotswold Canals Trust

Call Directions Website

Working for Restoration 🌿

Volunteer-run charity dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Stroudwater and Thames & Severn Canals.

The CCT website is now mobile compatible cotswoldcanals.org.uk

21/10/2026

📚✨ FREE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN – NOW EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER! 💕📖

Great news! 🎉 Our FREE book offer has been extended until 31st October, just in time for half term!

If you're looking for something to do with the kids next week, why not pop into one of our Charity Book & Music Shops in Brimscombe or Stonehouse? Every child under 16 can choose a FREE BOOK to take home! 📚💚

Inspired by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, our wonderful volunteers are helping to spread a little extra book magic and encourage more young people to discover the joy of reading.

Whether they're looking for their next adventure, a bedtime story or something new to discover, there's plenty to explore on our shelves!

📍 Brimscombe Charity Book & Music Shop:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday
10am to 4pm

📍 Stonehouse Charity Book & Music Shop:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday
10am to 4pm

📅 Offer ends Saturday 31st October!

19/10/2026

📚 HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY at Saul Junction! 💚

Looking for a new way to spend your spare time, meet new people and support the Cotswold Canals Trust? Don’t forget our Pop-Up Bookshop & Volunteer Recruitment Day is happening this Saturday, 24 October, at Saul Junction Visitor Centre!

📖 Browse a great selection of new and nearly-new canal-themed books at unbeatable prices, brought to you by our Bookshop volunteers.

💚 Thinking about volunteering? Our team will be there to chat about opportunities based at Saul Junction, including joining the crew of our trip boat Adventure or helping at the Visitor Centre. No previous canal knowledge is needed – come along, meet the team and find out what’s involved.

Our Visitor Centre & Canal Shop will also be open, so you can browse books, maps, gifts and snacks, pick up information about the canals and local area, and chat with our friendly volunteers.

📅 This Saturday, 24 October
⏰ Pop-Up Bookshop & Volunteer Recruitment: 11:30am–3pm
🛍️ Visitor Centre open: 11:30am–4pm

📍 Saul Junction Visitor Centre & Canal Shop
The Canal Towpath, Church Lane, Saul, GL2 7LA
📞 01452 740132
📌 What3Words: ///take.lollipop.causes

♿ Wheelchair access, hearing loop, disabled toilets and disabled parking available (toilets and parking managed by the Canal & River Trust).

⚠️ Please note: Sandfield Swing Bridge at Saul Junction is currently closed. Please follow the diversion signs in place to reach the Visitor Centre.

Come along for a browse, a chat and perhaps discover your next volunteering adventure with us!

17/10/2026

🌿🏆 Cotswold Canals Connected Receives Prestigious Building with Nature Award!

We're delighted to share that the Cotswold Canals Connected project has achieved the Building with Nature Full Award, recognising the partnership's work to restore the Stroudwater Canal while creating lasting benefits for people, wildlife and the environment.

The award is a nationally recognised accreditation celebrating projects that successfully bring together nature conservation, community wellbeing and sustainable water management.

Alongside restoring the canal, the project is delivering some fantastic environmental improvements, including:

🌱 Over 21 hectares of priority wildlife habitat once established
🌳 4km of new species-rich hedgerows
🌼 2km of wildflower-rich towpath verges
🍎 A new community orchard
🦆 Enhanced wetlands and improved connections between wildlife habitats

As a key partner in this National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project, we're incredibly proud of the contribution our Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers are making. From restoring historic canal structures and reopening sections of the waterway to supporting habitat improvements, their work is helping to create a canal corridor that both people and wildlife can enjoy for generations to come.

A huge congratulations to the whole Cotswold Canals Connected partnership, particularly Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who have led the environmental programme, alongside Stroud District Council, Stroud Valleys Project and the many organisations and volunteers involved.

💚 It's wonderful to see the wider benefits of canal restoration recognised in this way!

16/10/2026

🕰️✨ Flashback Friday
Stroudwater Navigation | Lock 9 | John Robinson Lock

Westfield Lock, now renamed John Robinson Lock, takes its name from its location in one of the former open fields of Eastington. Faint traces of the old ridge-and-furrow farming can still be seen nearby. The lock is the first in a flight of five that carries the Stroudwater Canal up the hill past the village. Westfield Bridge originally carried a private track for a local farmer, later also used by the public as an easier route than the walkway over the lock gates. Rebuilt in 1841 with blue bricks, the bridge’s keystone was inscribed with the date, and the Company even paid for b**r for the workers.

Adjacent Westfield Paddock (formerly Lime Kiln Piece) was once the site of the Stroudwater Company’s lime kiln, later becoming a bathing area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During WWII, a pillbox was built in the paddock as part of canal defences. Some remains can still be seen today.

The bridge was nearly lost during the construction of the M5 motorway c.1970 (the lock was infilled), but thanks to local farmer Mrs Christine Martin (later Mrs Hearsey), it was saved. She famously stood on the bridge all afternoon to prevent its demolition.

💫Special Occasions
In 1875, children from the local Wesleyan Sunday School marched to Westfield Bridge behind a pipe and drum band to board a barge for a trip to Sharpness. The New Dock there had only recently opened, and they were amazed to see a huge sailing ship carrying 1,100 tons of wheat from San Francisco.

John Robinson Lock marks the eastern end of the “Missing Mile”. Restoration of the lock began in autumn 2022, and work is now progressing westwards into this lost section of canal as part of Phase 1B: Cotswold Canals Connected. Towpath diversions are in place, but footpaths remain open, so take a stroll down and see the restoration progress for yourself!

📚 Learn more:
🔗 Westfield Lock & Bridge History: www.stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/westfield-lock-and-bridge/
🔗 See more images: www.cotswoldcanals.net/westfield-lock
🔗Learn more about Phase 1B: www.cotswoldcanals.org/about-us/restoration/cotswold-canals-phases/phase-1b/

15/10/2026

🐾 Great to see these new towpath signs in place! 🌿

Our volunteers were pleased to help install these fantastic new signs as part of the ‘Lead On’ campaign, a collaboration between Stroud District Council and SGS College, supported by Cotswold Canals Connected.

Earlier this summer, we shared the Stroud Valleys Canal Company's (SVCC) new Towpath Code, encouraging everyone to use our towpaths responsibly and considerately.

It's lovely to see these new signs reinforcing that message, helping to protect wildlife, keep towpaths safe and enjoyable for everyone, and support our ongoing efforts to restore and maintain the Cotswold Canals for future generations. 💚

A big well done to the students involved in creating the artwork!

14/10/2026

🎄 Is it too early to mention Christmas cards…? 🎄

We don’t think so – especially as last year’s Christmas cards sold out! So if you’d like a pack this year, make sure you grab yours early.

Our 2026 Christmas cards feature four beautiful snowy scenes of our much-loved trip boats in their familiar locations along the Cotswold Canals:

❄️ Adventure at Saul Junction
❄️ Inglesham at Lechlade
❄️ Perseverance at Wallbridge
❄️ Endeavour at Ebley

Each pack contains 12 cards – three of each design – for just £4.50, with every purchase helping to raise valuable funds towards the restoration of the Cotswold Canals. 💚

🛒 Online – with delivery or FREE collection from Wallbridge Visitor Centre
📍 At our Visitor Centres
📚 At our Charity Book & Music Shops in Brimscombe and Stonehouse

👉 Buy your 2026 Snowy Boat Scenes Christmas cards online
https://portal.cotswoldcanals.org/product-category/cards-calendars/

12/10/2026

🔎📢 Big Dig becomes an archaeological dig as animal bones are discovered on the Missing Mile!

Over the last two weeks, archaeologists have been investigating some fascinating discoveries made during our excavation of the Missing Mile. The investigation uncovered a historic boundary ditch and other features thought to be linked to the former Meadow Mill and the River Frome.

Among the finds were animal bones, porcelain, clay pipe fragments, leather shoe soles, part of a hobnail boot and even Roman pottery! Historic maps suggest the area was once used as a brick pit before becoming associated with Meadow Mill, a woollen mill.

Further analysis of the animal bones will hopefully reveal more about how the site was used in the past.

Our volunteers also had the opportunity to lend a hand with the archaeological investigation, helping with the excavation, cleaning and recording of the site – certainly something a little different from their usual canal restoration work!

🗞️ Read the full story in our Winter Trow Magazine, available in November.

Cotswold Canals Connected

09/10/2026

🕰️✨ Flashback Friday
Thames & Severn (West) | Lock 16 | Valley

This week we’re heading to the Thames & Severn Canal at Valley Lock (Lock 16) in the beautiful Golden Valley. From Daneway, which marks the western end of the canal’s summit level, the Thames & Severn begins its descent towards Stroud. Following the valley towards Chalford, the canal passes the old Chalford waterworks before reaching Valley Lock, also known as Golden Valley Lock.

Over the years, work has been carried out to help preserve this historic lock. Between 2000 and 2002, support from the Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) helped prevent further deterioration, with one of the lock walls rebuilt and part of the spill weir restored. The bridge at the tail of Valley Lock is also particularly interesting, as it may provide one of the lowest headrooms anywhere along the Cotswold Canals!

📚 Learn more:
🔗 Valley Lock: www.cotswoldcanals.net/valley-lock
🔗 Local history: www.stroudwater.co.uk/t&scanal/golden%20valley/golden%20valley.html
🔗 Our restoration projects: www.cotswoldcanals.org/about-us/restoration/

07/10/2026

🎃👻 Halloween Cruises – Booking Update!

Apologies if you’ve tried to book one of our Halloween Cruises and had trouble finding availability. We’ve had a few issues with our booking system, but these have now been resolved and the website is showing the correct slots and spaces available! 🎉

There are still spaces on selected cruises, so if you thought we were sold out, please take another look!

Join us aboard Perseverance for a spook-tacular 20-minute cruise from The Bowbridge Arms to Capels Mill and back.

Our volunteers will be getting into the Halloween spirit with costumes, spooky decorations and treats for our younger passengers. 🕷️🦇🍬

📅 Friday 30 & Saturday 31 October
📍 The Bowbridge Arms, London Road, Stroud, GL5 2AY
⏰ Departures: 11:30am | 12pm | 12:30pm | 1pm | 2pm | 2:30pm | 3pm | 3:30pm
🎟️ £5 per person – adults and children
🎃 Fancy dress encouraged!

Spaces are limited, so make sure you book your Halloween adventure on the canal!

💻 Book your Halloween Cruise:
www.cotswoldcanals.org/canals-guide/boat-trips-and-charters/wallbridge-boat-trips/

05/10/2026

📚 Pop-Up Bookshop & Volunteer Recruitment Day at Saul Junction! 💚

Looking for a new way to spend your spare time and support the restoration of the Cotswold Canals? Join us at Saul Junction Visitor Centre on Saturday 24 October for a special Pop-Up Bookshop & Volunteer Recruitment Day!

We’ll have a great selection of canal-themed books to browse, and our volunteer team will be on hand to tell you more about how you can get involved with the volunteering opportunities at Saul Junction such as crewing our trip boat Adventure crew or helping at the Visitor Centre.

While you’re here, make sure you explore our Saul Junction Visitor Centre & Canal Shop too. Pick up information about the Cotswold Canals and local attractions, browse our books, maps, gifts and snacks, or simply chat with our friendly volunteers about the canal and its restoration.

📅 Saturday 24 October
⏰ Pop-up bookshop & volunteer recruitment: 11:30am–3pm
🛍️ Visitor Centre open: 11:30am–4pm

📍 Cotswold Canals Trust Visitor Centre & Canal Shop
The Canal Towpath, Church Lane, Saul, GL2 7LA
📞 01452 740132
📌 What3Words: ///take.lollipop.causes

The Visitor Centre has wheelchair access, an across-counter hearing loop, disabled toilets and disabled parking (toilets and parking managed by the Canal & River Trust).

⚠️ Please note: Sandfield Swing Bridge at Saul Junction is currently closed. Please follow the diversion signs in place to reach Saul Junction Visitor Centre.

Address

Bell House, Wallbridge
Stroud
GL53JS

Telephone

+44 (0) 1453 752 568

Website

http://cotswoldcanals.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Cotswold Canals Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organisation to be the top-listed non profit organisation in Stroud?