The Challenge of Restoration

Discover the huge effort involved in canal restoration. See first hand the advancing progress on this section of the canal which is soon to be completed. Learn a little of the canal’s history and listen out for any rumours and anecdotes!

Key Highlights:
– The impressive Ocean railway bridge
– Embankment and bridge replacement at Bonds Mill
– Restoration of the five Eastington locks
– The ‘Missing Mile’ and Crossing the M5

Duration: 90mins (+30 min return)
Difficulty: Easy
Start Point: Meet at the CCT banner by the canal side outside the rear garden of the Stonehouse Court Hotel, Bristol Road, Stonehouse, GL10 3RA.

Pre Booking essential

Our Industrial Heritage

Learn about the history and commercial success of the Stroudwater Navigation, and how its recent restoration has brought significant benefits for wildlife, recreation and economic development.

Key Highlights:
– The last operational mill in the Stroud Valleys
– The Dudbridge hydro-electricity scheme
– The iconic Ebley Mill
– Stories about those worked on the barges

Duration: 90mins (+30 min return)
Difficulty: Easy
Start Point: Meet on Green opposite Bell House, Wallbridge, Stroud, GL5 3JS.

Pre-booking essential

Wildlife and Water

Discover what is involved in connecting the final section of the Stroudwater Navigation to the national canal network at Saul Junction. Learn how an imaginative programme of restoration will deliver an increase in biodiversity and the protection of endangered species.

Key Highlights:
– Bristol Road Roundabout
– Fromebridge wetland nature reserve
– Restoration of Occupation, Stonepitts and Walk Bridges
– The challenge of merging the canal with the river Frome
– The Gloucester and Sharpness canal

Duration: 1h45m (+35 min return)
Difficulty: Moderate
Start Point: Meet at the CCT banner in the car park of Fromebridge Mill, Whitminster, GL2 7PB

Pre Booking essential

The Inspiration for Volunteering

Discover how the early volunteers got started and raised significant funds for restoration to help Stroud and Stonehouse become boating towns again. Walk the lovely restored towpath as the green corridor moves from urban to suburban to countryside concluding at hospitable Stroudie canalside businesses.

Key Highlights:
– How the canal was cleared of weed with our first trip boat built under the arches
– Capel’s Mill History and the restored canal diversion
– How a book stall became big business
– The Stroudie businesses looking towards the canal
– What is “Dudley” doing at the canal’s navigable eastern terminus

Duration: 90mins (+40 mins for return to starting point). End point is on bus route back to Stroud.
Difficulty: Moderate
Start Point: Meet on Green opposite Bell House, Wallbridge, GL5 3JS.

Pre Booking essential