Reed Hotel Boats



		Your floating hotel on the Canals and Rivers of the UK

Our guide to the waterways of the UK in detail.

The Gloucester & Sharpness ship Canal.

The Gloucester & Shapness Canal is still open to boats though the vessels that use it today are a far cry from those which it was built for. Today it is pleasure boats which can be seen though it was ocean going sailing ships that used the waterway in its heyday.

The start of the canal is at the historic Gloucester Docks where it links with the River Severn (which heads north towards the Midlands). Here it is possible to moor actually in the docks with a wide variety of vessels, often including full rigged sailing ships for company. Adjacent is the National Waterways Museum, itself in an old warehouse, while the centre of Gloucester city is only ten minutes walk away.

The canal then runs south for about 16 miles to Sharpness on the tidal Severn Estuary. It is broad, deep and straight. Its main feature being the swing bridges, all keeper operated. The countryside is open flat and windswept. The edges of the Severn estuary.

At Sharpness the docks are still in commercial use so we moor just outside them. Here we are right alongside one of the wildest parts of the Severn estuary with a line of sunken ships providing strength to the sea wall.

Places to visit near the canal.
N.B. Near means within a couple of miles, not all are adjacent to the canals.

Gloucester city. Founded in Roman times, it developed into a flourishing medieval city. Now there are many remains of the past in an active modern city with an excellent shopping centre. It is within minutes of the canal.
Gloucester Cathedral.. Founded as an abbey 1300 years ago, and now the centre of the Diocese. There is much to see here. It is about 15 minutes walk from the canal.
Beatrice Potter Museum at Gloucester. The home of the Beatrix Potter story written in 1897.
Gloucester Regimental Museum. Here is told the remarkable story of those who have served in the regiments of Gloucester since 1694. It is within five minutes of the canal.
National Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks. It tells the 300-year story of our waterways through an outstanding collection located in a historic warehouse. It is alongside the canal.

Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands centre. By the edge of the River Severn there are over 300 hectares of reserve made accessible by special hides as well as the centre itself. It is about 15 minutes walk from the canal.

Saul Heritage centre. A display on the Cotswold canals. Alongside the canal, but very restricted opening times. Saul Heritage Centre.

Books on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

There are a number of very good books about canals, but two I would recommend on this canal are

Working Life on Severn & Canal. Compiled by Hugh Conway-Jones and published in 1990 by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd., Gloucester. ISBN 0-86299-745-3
This very readable book tells the stories of boat men working on the River and Canal much of it in their own words.

The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Written by Hugh Conway-Jones and published in 2003 by Tempus Publishing Ltd, Stroud. ISBN 0-7524-2789-X
An illustrated history of this canal.

Both of these books are in our library on Oak and Ash and available for you to read during your cruise as are many other books.

Places to find out more about this canal.

A site on this canal. / A 2nd site on the canal. / Saul Canal Festival. / The Cotswold Canal Trust.
Gloucester Docks / Sharpness Docks / A page from Jim Shead on the canal.
Boating on the River Severn & canal. / Severn Tales
R.T. Davies, boat builders at Saul. / T.S. Vindicatrix, formerly at Sharpness./ Frampton on Severn parish church / Saul parish church
Frampton Court Estate, history. / An illustrated guide to the canal. / IWA page on this canal.
Redevelopment at Gloucester Docks./ Simpson Boat builders at Sharpness.

Some pictures of this canal?

Pictures of Gloucester docks. / Pictures of the rest of the canal.

More information from Reed Boats about this canal.

A history of this canal.

Find our information about other canals on the canal index page.

Unfortunately we will not be on this canal in 2009 during our cruises.

However we are cruising on 19 other canals and rivers in 2009,details of these cruises can be found at

routes for 2009.

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk

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