 Kennet and Avon Canal |
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MILE 53
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Devizes, Wiltshire : KAC53.00=KAC54.00 |
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KandAC mile 53
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KandAC mile 53 - OS 1inch map, early 19th century.
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... canals and railways leave and enter towns by the back door ...
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The Kennet and Avon Canal from mile 53 to 54 enters the market town of
Devizes, Wiltshire from the east on its way to the River Avon beyond
Bath, leading to Bristol. This is the end of the Fifteen Mile Pound;
the last lock was at Wootton Rivers.
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Brickham Bridge, Devizes
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Mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos, speeding
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Swan, Cygnus olor, hoping for crusts.
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Near London Road the canal is low down in a cutting; houses with
private moorings to the north, cheaper housing and allotments to the
south. The cutting goes through the ridge dividing the Avon Valley
from Pewsey Vale to the east.
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Canal parallel to London Road.
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KandAC wharf 53.24
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London Road Bridge, Devizes
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Moorhen, at my feet!
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From London Road to Cemetery Road the canal is still in a deep
cutting, dull scenery. Above you on the town side is a housing estate,
you will see detritus in the canal, and have to watch your footing on
the towpath which is obviously a favourite walk for dog owners. On the
north side are allotments. The moorhens, ducks and swans here are less
wary of people than they should be; perhaps used to being fed scraps
by towpath walkers.
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Cutting, London Road Bridge in the distance eastwards.
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Park Road Bridge, Devizes
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Cutting, Park Road Bridge seen from Cemetery Road Bridge.
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Cemetery Road Bridge, Devizes
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Looking back, eastwards, at Cemetery Road Bridge, Park Road Bridge,
etc, from opposite Devizes Wharf.
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Cemetery Road Bridge is a roving bridge; west of here the towpath is
on the north side of the canal, to the east it is on the south side.
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Devizes is an old town with some claim to be Wiltshire's town; it's
charter was granted by Empress Matilda, 1141.
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Devizes Wharf, Devizes
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Devizes Wharf Canal Centre, Devizes
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Northgate Brewery, Wadworth's, brick built, 1885, on the horizon.
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Boats moored below Devizes Wharf, Charlotte and others.
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KandAC winding point 53.66
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Pillbox by the canal.
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Barrels and crates of bottles for Wadworth 6X
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Wadworth and Co was founded 1875 and is still a family business,
employing a cooper to make the barrels. It has a stable of Shire
Horses to pull brewer's drays delivering beer to about 20 local pubs.
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More barrels.
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Kennet and Avon Scrapbook 2000
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