Kennet and Avon Canal
MILE 57 Seend, Wiltshire : KAC57.00=KAC58.00
KandAC mile 57
KandAC mile 57 - OS 1inch map, early 19th century.
... some bits of canal are quieter than others ...
The Kennet and Avon Canal from mile 57 to mile 58 runs fairly straight and level in Pile and Three Magpies Pound, passing by Seend which is on the hill to the south. The towpath is on the north side.
Seend is out of view, but if you walk there and brave its through traffic you might bear in mind John Aubrey's words, 1684:-
... I know not any small country village that has so many well-built houses ...
The village had a community of flemish weavers who settled here in the 17th century.
On the south side of the canal east of Sells Green Bridge is Moiety Farm. A furlong north from this bridge is the Three Magpies Inn.
Construction site warning near Sells Green, still in place though all work seems to have finished; this probably warned of the digging of the conservation ponds on the south side of the canal.
Sells Green Bridge, Seend
Boats at moorings opposite the site of Wraggs Wharf.
There is a water point at the mooring.
Wragg's Wharf, Seend
The farm to the south is Rawcroft Farm.
KandAC culvert 57.22
Fishing near Sells Green Bridge; notice the conservation pond across the canal.
Why is there a carefully planted and protected rose on the towpath; a memorial to someone?
An area of the fields from Sells Green Bridge to Sells Green Swing Bridge, on the off side, has been flooded and is hopefully some sort of nature reserve for water fowl. Called something like Sells Green Conservation Area.
Sells Green Swing Bridge, Seend
KandAC winding point 57.42
Scott's Wharf, Seend
KandAC culvert 57.48
Rusty Lane Swing Bridge, Seend
KandAC culvert 57.77
The disused railway runs parallel the canal about half a mile to the north of this stretch.

Kennet and Avon Scrapbook 2000