Where is the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct?

The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct is on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Stratford Road, Wootton Wawen, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, B95 6BZ. It is next to The Navigation Inn.

 

In brief

A short canal aqueduct that crosses the Stratford Road in Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire, it was built in 1813 and carries the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. It is next to Anglo Welsh Waterway Holidays and The Navigation Inn.

Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Wootton Wawen Aqueduct - history

The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct was built in 1813 by William Whitmore for the Stratford Canal Company.

There was later additions and restorations in the 1960s.

It is made of a cast-iron trough with a towpath, and cast-iron railings, brick piers and walls in English bond with ashlar copings.

The South Stratford Canal was built between 1793 and 1816, a distance of 13.5 miles from Kingswood Junction, Lapworth to Stratford-upon-Avon.

The National Trust acquired the freehold of the canal in 1964.

The aqueduct is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and has been Grade II* listed since 1990.

 

There is plaques outside of the aqueduct, and one on the other side of it. It says it was erected by the Stratford Canal Company in October 1813. Bernard Dewes was the Chairman,  W. James was Deputy Chairman and William Whitmore was the Engineer.

 

This is the A3400 Stratford Road, in the direction of Wootton Wawen, Henley-in-Arden, Hockley Heath and Shirley (as well as the M40 and M42 motorways).

 

Before crossing the aqueduct, there is this useful information sign from the Canal & River Trust. Including details of it's restoration during the 1960s.

Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

This is the view approaching The Navigation Inn (on the left) in a car from the A3400 Stratford Road. The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct is above. The road beyond here leads to Bearley and Stratford-upon-Avon. Salters Lane will be on the right if you continue in a car, that leads to the Edstone Aqueduct.

Wootton Wawen Aqueduct from the A3400 Stratford Road (July 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Getting to the Aqueduct from The Navigation Inn

Starting from the car park of the Navigation Inn, head up the towpath to the bridge (No 53, also called Lucy's Farm Bridge).

Anglo Welsh Waterway Holidays and the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Cross the bridge and walk up the opposite towpath until you reach the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct.

There will probably be narrowboats moored on both sides of the canal.

Stratford-on-Avon Canal - bridge no 53 (Lucy's Farm Bridge) view towards the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Navigation Inn

This is a good pub to visit on a Saturday evening for a pub meal in the pub or restaurant section (best to book a table ahead of your visit). The Navigation Inn is next to the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct on the A3400 Stratford Road. There has been a pub on this site for over 200 years.

Internet signals can be a bit patchy here. You might be able to connect to WiFi while you are here, but don't expect a data signal on your phone.

The Navigation Inn and the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Navigation Inn and the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown