Kennet and Avon Canal
MILE 56 Rowde and Seend, Wiltshire : KAC56.00=KAC57.00
KandAC mile 56
KandAC mile 56 - OS 1inch map, early 19th century.
... fallen off the hills; now its level again ...
The Kennet and Avon Canal from mile 56 to mile 57 goes down the last two locks of the Devizes Flight of locks and then runs level in Pile and Three Magpies Pound across the valley of the Summerham Brook, a tributary of the River Avon. The towpath is on the south side of the canal to Lower Foxhangers Bridge where it roves to the north side.
... straight bits and sharp bends ...
KandAC culvert 56.01
The canal between lock 24 and lock 23; as the locks were used the fisherman found his feet on dry ground or in the water; notice the straight line of reeds in new reinforcing with coir rolls.
Just eastward of lock 23 the bank has recently been repaired and reinforced with coir rolls planted with reeds.
Coir rolls with reeds between lock 24 and lock 23.
KandAC lock 23
Looking eastward up the group of locks at Foxhangers, from below lock 23.
Foxhangers Footbridge, Rowde
Lower Foxhangers Farm is on the south side of the canal by lock 23. Lower Foxhangers Cottage is on the north side near lock 22. Foxhangers is the area to the north of the canal.
Wind pump in the fields south of the canal.
KandAC lock 22
Lower Foxhangers Bridge, Rowde
Caen Hill Back Pumping Station, Rowde
Pile Railway Bridge, Rowde
Foxhanger Wharf, Rowde
Parish boundary Rowde - Seend: ST96286151
KandAC winding point 56.26
There are moorings along the canal embankment westwards of the winding point; accessible from Foxhangers Wharf.
Boat belonging to:-
G. & E. HOLLOWAY / FOXHANGERS
The canal crosses the valley of the Summerham Brook on an embankment, with an aqueduct for the brook. Water is taken off the brook about half a mile upstream to feed the canal.
Summerham Aqueduct, Seend
KandAC culvert 56.46
The line of trees and bushes on the north side are along the disused railway line, running parallel the canal across this valley.
The canal, and a boat, near Summerham Aqueduct; notice the line of the railway, marked by trees and bushes, up the hill towards Devizes.
Seend Feeder, Seend
Boat yard sign:-
EQUINOX / Boat Builders / and Repairs
Common burdock, Arctium pubens, by the towpath.
A boat on the canal among the trees by Martinslade.
Martinslade Wharf, Seend
Opposite Martinslade Wharf is a timber yard, on the towpath side, which now has some boat building activity.
Martinslade Bridge, Seend
KandAC wharf 56.74
The canal westward of Martinslade Bridge.

Kennet and Avon Scrapbook 2000