The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal - Bridge 47 to Edstone (Bearley) Aqueduct.

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal now goes through quite remote countryside passing beautiful old bridges, aqueducts, a canal lock and a wharf.

This section of the canal's towpath is very interesting for towpath and walking with lots to look at - including passing through Wootten Wawen and taking the canal over two aqueducts including Bearley Aqueduct which is the longest aqueduct in England. The canal's bridges are mostly narrow and are constructed of wrought iron supported by brick.

About the long Edstone Aqueduct which carries the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal over twin G.W.R railway lines and Salterns Lane as it crosses the valley.

The Edstone Aqueduct near Bearley Lock was built in the early 1800s (it opened in 1816) and is the largest of a series of three cast iron (trough design) aqueducts which can be seen on the Stratford upon Avon Canal. Edstone Aqueduct takes the canal over a tributary of the River Avon and also over GWR railway lines and Salterns Lane. The aqueduct is 475 feet long, supported on huge beautifully bricked pillars and has the canal's towpath alongside. It's very interesting to walk across the aqueduct whilst narrowboats (and the occasional local duck squad) are passing by more or less level with your waist. Apart from walking or cycling along the towpath, the aqueduct can be reached by road since it goes over Salters Lane which is just off the A3400 north of Stratford-upon-Avon. Salters Lane is quite narrow and bendy - there is a very limited amount of parking at the aqueduct - maybe room enough for 6 or 7 cars at most - parking on the road itself would be dangerous..