The Grand Union Canal – Kensal Green to Alperton

The Grand Union Canal – Kensal Green to Alperton Walk

Different images of travel overlap here.

We arrived using Britain’s first intercity rail route. To reach the new HS2 station, we cross what was once a track to an Anglo-Saxon heathen shrine, and walk along the canal towpath.

Along the canal, some boats were much faster than others. The passenger boats from Paddington to Uxbridge had four horses and uniformed crew. The ‘fly’ boats worked non-stop until they reached Birmingham.

And the second-longest single-span aqueduct in Britain carries the canal over a major road.

Some places along the towpath look little changed: the Grand Junction Arms shows the earlier name of the canal, while a canal cottage adds character to the view.

A wooded length still gives a pleasant ambience to part of the canal.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING

PRACTICALS:

The Grand Union Canal – Kensal Green to Alperton Walk meets at Kensal Green station.