Salters Lane, Wootton Wawen, near Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, B95 6DS

Edstone Aqueduct

Industrial heritage

Place photograph

5.2

Wildland

15 minutes for the aqueduct itself

Time

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Cost

["Peaceful"

Feel

["Canal""Farmland""Remote countryside"]["Walkers""History lovers""Photographers"]

Why it's Wildland

5.2

A 146-metre cast-iron waterway crosses fields, a stream, a road and railway tracks on 13 brick piers. Its unusual towpath runs at the base of the canal trough, letting walkers see the structure’s ironwork from an uncommon angle.

Edstone is a striking piece of canal engineering set among open Warwickshire fields. Its long iron trough, brick piers and low-set towpath reward a close look, while the canal path offers a simple way to extend a brief heritage stop into a walk.

["Peaceful" · "Atmospheric"]

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Salters Lane, Wootton Wawen, near Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, B95 6DS

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The experience

Come for a close look at an unusual canal structure, then follow the towpath towards Wootton Wawen Aqueduct if you want a longer walk. The aqueduct is a working-waterway heritage feature, not a swimming or paddling destination.

Things to do

Walk across the aqueduct

Cross the canal structure for views of its scale and the surrounding countryside. The towpath’s position at the base of the trough makes the cast-iron construction unusually visible.

Around 15 minutes there and back from the reported car park

Continue along the canal to Wootton Wawen Aqueduct

Extend the visit north along the towpath to a second aqueduct of similar design, then return. The guide gives the onward distance as 1.4 miles and estimates 35 minutes each way.

About 1 hour 10 minutes walking, plus stops

Look closely at the iron trough and brick piers

Notice the bolted cast-iron construction and the piers carrying it above the landscape. The Canal & River Trust describes 35 sections and 13 brick piers across 14 spans.

10–20 minutes

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Around 15 minutes

Quick escape: cross the aqueduct

01
Use the reported small car park on Salters Lane, after checking it is available.
02
Follow the steps up to the canal and turn right towards the aqueduct.
03
Cross the aqueduct and pause to see its iron trough, towpath and countryside setting; return the same way.

Half day · About 1 hour 30 minutes of walking, plus time to explore

Make a canal-side half day of it

01
Start at Edstone Aqueduct and take time to inspect the structure and its low-set towpath.
02
Continue north along the canal towards Wootton Wawen Aqueduct, reported as 1.4 miles away.
03
Return to Edstone by the same route; the cited guide estimates about 35 minutes each way for this extension.
04
Allow extra time for stops, and check path conditions: the towpath can be very muddy in wet or cold weather.

Verified history

The southern section of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was built between 1812 and 1816 under William James and engineer William Whitmore. Edstone Aqueduct was completed in 1816. Its cast-iron trough was assembled from 35 sections and rests on 13 brick piers. The canal later fell into decline; after a 1958 campaign against its abandonment, canal restoration volunteers helped secure its future. The Canal & River Trust credits the restoration movement with saving the aqueduct from dereliction.

Folklore & legend

A local legend, reported by an industrial-heritage guide, says a train was once delayed because a fish blocked a canal-water intake pipe. Treat this as folklore, not verified history.

Hidden details

A towpath at the base of the trough — Unlike the better-known arrangement where a towpath sits level with the water, Edstone’s path runs at the base of the trough. This makes the structure’s form and metalwork easier to inspect from the path.

The structure moves with temperature — The Canal & River Trust notes that the iron trough expands and contracts with temperature; a 20°C change can produce movement of up to 65 mm. Its slender piers are flexible enough to accommodate this movement.

When to go

· No particular time of day is established by the supplied sources.

The main experience is the canal structure and its engineering, which can be viewed year-round according to the supplied visitor guide. Choose a dry spell for the towpath, which can become very muddy in wet and cold weather.

The canal towpath can become extremely muddy during wet and cold weather. Check conditions before setting out.

Worth pairing with

Wootton Wawen Aqueduct

A second aqueduct of similar design, reached by continuing north along the canal towpath. The cited guide gives the distance as 1.4 miles each way from Edstone.

What to look for

01
Look for the 13 brick piers and 14 spans supporting the long cast-iron trough
02
notice how the towpath runs low beside the canal water. The Canal & River Trust describes 35 bolted sections and explains how temperature changes cause the trough to expand and contract.

The story

["Industry","Archaeology"]

Best time to go

All year; choose a dry spell for the canal path, which can become very muddy in wet and cold weather.

A dry day is the practical choice: the canal towpath can become very muddy in wet and cold weather. No seasonal wildlife or viewing advantage is established by the supplied sources.

How long to spend

15 minutes for the aqueduct itself; allow around 1–2 hours if extending the walk along the canal to Wootton Wawen Aqueduct.

Perfect for

["Walkers" · "History lovers" · "Photographers"]

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Salters Ln, Wootton Wawen, Henley-in-Arden B95 6DS

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.6 · 292 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The supplied sources describe a canal-side visitor approach via steps from a small car park on Salters Lane, with access along the aqueduct towpath. Public access and current conditions have not been independently confirmed; check before visiting. The towpath may be very muddy in wet or cold weather. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

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Parking

A small car park beside the southern end on Salters Lane is reported by a visitor guide. Confirm availability and any restrictions before travelling.

Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

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