The Stamford Canal book Chapter 6
Post Script Ch.6 Photos >
What of the future for the Stamford canal.? If the River Welland was again made navigable up to Deeping St. James would it be practical to re-open the Stamford canal? In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, when the canal was in use, it was more efficient to carry goods, to and from Stamford, by water. No one would consider doing so in the 21st century. Would it be useful to open the canal for pleasure craft? The canal went from Market Deeping to Stamford. Unfortunately the river above Stamford is not linked into the wider waterway system. To re-open what is, in effect, a six and a half mile cul de sac, would surely not be a viable proposition. There are reports, from time to time, in the local press, of plans to connect the River Welland, between Deeping St. James and Spalding, to the main waterway system but whether these plans will come to fruition only time will tell.
The Stamford canal has an important place in the history of navigable waterways. It has been, however, very difficult to find any information about it. The various places in which information was found included the Archives in Lincoln and York; Stamford Town Hall and Museum and, of course, the Internet. Books about canals and other waterways in the British Isles give a mixed picture. Some mention the Stamford canal in detail, others only talk of the Exeter and Bridgewater canals. They say nothing about the six and a half mile canal between Stamford and Market Deeping. It was felt that this oversight should be remedied.
It might be possible to publish, in the future, a detailed map of the walks one might take to see the remains of the Stamford canal. There is a possibility of publishing a monograph of the canal's history with detailed drawings of the various remains of lock pens and bridges. It has also been suggested that there should be signs, along the route of the canal, giving details about this important ancient waterway.
Anyone visiting the lower end of Lincolnshire will find many traces of the Stamford canal. Unfortunately some parts of the canal bed are on private property. There are, however, times when it is possible to see the remains of the canal and stone work associated with it. Some of the villages along the route of the canal occasionally open their gardens to raise funds for the local church. These events are advertised in the local press.
There is a great deal of the canal and river navigation that is open to public view. Standing on the river bridge in Stamford and looking downstream, a very large warehouse can be seen on the left. This warehouse was associated with the River Welland both before and after the canal was in use. In Wharf road, which runs alongside the warehouse there is, high up on the wall of the building opposite, a faded sign advertising the boat and railway hotel.
The main road east from Stamford is the Al6. This road leads, through Uffington and Tallington, past West Deeping, to Market Deeping. On the outskirts of Stamford the road passes a large field which is used as the town's cricket pitch. The canal ran across the far side of this field, crossing the River Gwash into, what is now, Uffington Park. The 4.16 passes over the River Gwash (now more of a stream). Through the fence on the right hand side of the road the earthworks associated with the carral, as it passed through park, can be clearly seen. Just after entering the park the canal turned to its right, following the contour on the main road.
There is a public footpath, from the A16 road, through Uffington park, to the well preserved abutments of a bridge that crossed over the canal. The earthworks of the canal bed can be seen on the right, lined by willow trees. A footbridge has been constructed over the canal bed to enable walkers to follow the footpath that continues, off to the left, over a style. The footpath proceeds along the old towpath, with the River Welland on the right and the canal bed on the left. This part of the footpath is approximately one mile long. It eventually comes to the Uffington to Barnack road. At either end of the foot path there are notice boards showing a map of the canal's route and details of its history. At this point the road crossed the canal by means of a bridge. The bridge has now been completely filled in to preserve its structure. It has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The route of the canal, after it crossed the road, passes through private land. The River Welland is crossed by a superb stone bridge but it is thought that originally there would have been a ford at this point
Tallington is the next village along the A16 and, although one can see remains of the canal bed within certain fields in the village, it is here that it is possible to see some stonework associated with one of the two lock pens. The minor road to Bainton goes off to the right. A few yards down this road a gravel path goes off to the right. The gravel path passes in front of a number of houses. The remains of the stonework of the lock pen can be seen, on the right. The other lock pen in the village is on land just prior to the railway line that passes through the village.
After the canal passed through Tallington it crossed the fields to West Deeping. west Deeping is situated just off the 416. The main road that passes through the village is King's Street, on old Roman road' Just past the public house a gravel drivel goes of to the right. The canal originally crossed the road at this point. The brick wall at the far end of the drive marks the boundary of the garden through which the canal passed and in which are the remains of a well preserved lock pen. Originally the canal passed through, what was then the Rectory garden, continued down the route of the gravel drive, crossed the road and continued across the fields, into an old ditch alongside the A16 and from there on to Market Deeping. Where the canal crossed the road in West Deeping there was a foot bridge. The road itself crossed the canal by means of a ford. The garden opposite the gravel drive has a stream running through it, possibly all that remains of the old canal' When some of West Deeping residents open their gardens, to raise funds for the church, it is possible to see the remains of lock pen in the garden of the old Rectory' There is also a chance to see the remains of a large part of the canal itself, still full of water, as it passed through one of the gardens.
After the canal left West Deeping it came, diagonally across the field on the right hand side of the road, into an old ditch running alongside the main road. The field through which the canal passed is now cultivated and all traces of the canal bed have been lost. The A16 continues past, on the right hand side of the road, Molecey Mill' The remains of the canal can be seen running between the road and the mill. A constant supply of water from the millrace ensures that there it always has water in it.
Further along the road is a large roundabout linking the old A16 to the Deepings bypass. The 416 now goes off to the left along the bypass' The old A16 continued into Market Deeping. As this road approaches the last mill on the outskirts of Market Deeping, it is possible to see remains of the canal on the right hand side the road. Just before this mill all traces of the canal bed disappear. It originally passed in front of this last mill (as it did at Molecey mill) and proceeded alongside the millrace until finally passing through the last lock (on the canal) back into the river.
The waterway continued along the river, passing under Market Deeping bridge (built in the 1850s) and on to Deeping St. James. It is difficult for the outsider to realise that there are two villages. The original settlement, mentioned in Doomsday, was called Est (East) Deeping and was one village. It was built as ribbon development along the River Welland. Some time after market charters were granted in the 13th and 14th centuries, one village became one village and one small town'
The old A16 through Market Deeping crosses the boundary into Deeping St. James and turns to the left, towards Spalding. There is a minor road (to Crowland) which goes off to the right. This road passes lock pen number two (Briggin's lock) opposite the Crown and Anchor public House. Here can be seen the remains of the metalwork that held the upper parts of the lock gates in place. Traces of the wood of the gates can also be seen. Why Briggin's lock? No reason could be found to explain the name.
About two miles further along this minor road are the remains of the first lock pen. It is approached by a footpath, opposite the Stowgate road, down a short passage, to a bridge over a weir onto a small island' On the other side of this island, a narrow bridge crosses the lock pen onto the south bank of the river. The remains of the abutment of the lock pen can be seen along to the left. The area is very overgrown but the remains are visible. Although there is less detail remaining here than at Briggin's lock this lock is interesting because it appears that, where the meandering river passes over the weir, a completely new channel was cut into the bank to contain the lock pen itself.
The Stamford Canal << The earliest proper canal in England? <<
