account arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right closecontact-us emailFacebookheart instagramjoin linkedin phonepinterestplaysearch twitteryoutube

Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal runs from the River Severn Navigation at Gloucester to the tidal Severn at Sharpness.

Map of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

Boats at Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

Silver Propeller Challenge

Saul Junction, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

Gloucester

Facts & stats

16.5 miles

(26.5 km)

The length of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

2 locks

at either end of the Canal, at Gloucester and at Sharpness.

From Gloucester to Sharpeness

The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal runs from the River Severn Navigation at Gloucester to the tidal Severn at Sharpness. It connected with the Stroudwater Navigation (under restoration) at Saul Junction.

 

 

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 213′ (65 metres) – Bends in the canal (the lock at Sharpness is over 240′ long)
  • Beam: 30′ 5″ (9.3 metres) – Fretherne Swing Bridge
  • Height: 124′ 8″ (38.0 metres) – Electricity pylons at Sandfield and Park End
  • Draught: 11′ 6″ (3.5 metres) – dredged channel on bridge approaches

Navigation authority

Canal & River Trust

Branch

Gloucestershire & Herefordshire

useful info

The locks and swing bridges on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal are operated by lock and bridge keepers (restricted hours).

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities

Boats at Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

Silver Propeller Challenge

Saul Junction, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

Gloucester

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.