Kennet and Avon Canal
MILE 67 Westwood and Winsley, Wiltshire : KAC67.00=KAC68.00
KandAC mile 67
KandAC mile 67 - OS 1inch map, early 19th century.
... closely confined in a valley, with river and railway ...
The Kennet and Avon Canal from mile 67 to mile 68 crosses over the River Avon and the railway by an aqueduct, to the north side of the valley. The canal is in Nine Mile Pound. The towpath is on the north side up to Avoncliff Aqueduct, there it roves to the south side.
Canal eastwards from Avoncliff.
The canal from Avoncliff is in a new concrete lined bed, which had to be repaired soon after it was done I believe. The width, depth, and profile make it difficult for wider vessels to pass.
There were stop gates and there is a stop groove at about 67m 16ch; and a plug beyond at about 67m 17ch. There is mooring along here.
The road, which crosses the aqueduct with the canal, to serve the small settlement, the railway, and the canal are squeezed close together just here. The tiny settlement, pub and a few cottages, is Avoncliff. There is access to the other side of the canal by road from Westwood on the hillside, and access to Avoncliff under the aqueduct - there is no real necessity for access by road across the canal.
The tiny group of buildings at the aqueduct. The very ugly fence along the access track seems unnecessary, as does vehicular access.
Cross Guns, Westwood
On the south side is Avoncliff Villa. There was a tramroad down the hillside on the south side, carrying stone from quarries. Later the tramroad was continued across the aqueduct to reach the railway.
Avoncliff Aqueduct, Westwood
Parish boundary - : ST80436001
The River Avon, over which the canal aqueduct crosses, is the boundary between parishes. Avoncliff Mill can be seen by the river, where there is a fine weir. There's another mill the other end of the weir; both were flock mills, breaking up old woollen material to make stuffing for mattresses etc. From here westwards the railway winds about the valley behind the bushes along the towpath. Turleigh, closer and occasionally visible through the bushes, and Winsley villages lie on the hillside to the north. There is mooring each side of the aqueduct.
Weir, and the water mill on the northward side of the River Avon with a breast shot wheel.
KandAC winding point 67.26
Boats Emily and Bronte, a dum barge and a pusher, moored westward of Avoncliff Aqueduct.
The pusher, Bronte.
Canal westward of the turn at Avoncliff Aqueduct.
Location of stop gates and a stop groove at about 67m 28ch.
Avoncliff Stone Wharf, Winsley
Milepost 67 II
There is a plug in the bed of the canal at about 67m 51ch. You may notice a sewage works on the south side; you won't see it. About level with this point the River Avon is joined by the River Frome.
A fine crop of modern canal signs warning not to cast your fishing lines into the electric wires above.
Painted lady butterfly, Cynthia cadui, posing on the towpath.
Canalside house by Winsley Bridge.
Winsley Bridge, Winsley
There is a plug at about 67m 70ch.
Milepost 68

Kennet and Avon Scrapbook 2000