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Gloucester Lock which link the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and Gloucester Docks to the River Severn.
Click here for more photographs of Gloucester Historic Docks. www.jhluxton.com/Industrial-Archaeology/Historic-Ports-an...
The Mariners' Church (Grade II Listed) was constructed 1848 - 9 by John Jacques.
It is a single cell church in 13th Century Style bult to serve dockers and the needs of multinational seafarers from visiting ships. It is still an active Anglican church and is the main focal point of Mariners' Square at the heart of Gloucester Docks.
Click here for more photographs of Gloucester Historic Docks. www.jhluxton.com/Industrial-Archaeology/Historic-Ports-an...
The former Midland Railway Crane at Victoria Dock was recued from New Mills Station, Cheshire in the 1990s. It stands next to where the Midland Railway sidings were located and would have been similar to cranes used at the docks.
Click here for more photographs of Gloucester Historic Docks. www.jhluxton.com/Industrial-Archaeology/Historic-Ports-an...
The former Midland Railway Crane at Victoria Dock was recued from New Mills Station, Cheshire in the 1990s. It stands next to where the Midland Railway sidings were located and would have been similar to cranes used at the docks.
Click here for more photographs of Gloucester Historic Docks. www.jhluxton.com/Industrial-Archaeology/Historic-Ports-an...
The Barge Arm at Gloucester Docks at the head of the Gkloucester and Sharpness Canal was constructed 1824-5 to releive pressure on the main dock basin and leave that free for sea going ships. Photograph taken from the upper deck of MV OLIVER CROMWELL which was being used as a static hotel boat at this time by English Holiday Cruises.
Click here for more photographs of Gloucester Historic Docks. www.jhluxton.com/Industrial-Archaeology/Historic-Ports-an...
Saul Juction is the only location on the British Canal system where there is a level crossing between two canals the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal which can be seen crossing left to right and the Stroudwater Navigation which heads off into the distance.
The Stroudwater Navigation was built to link the River Severn at Framilode with the Thames and Severn Canal providing a link from west to east coast. It has been undergoing restoration by the Cotswold Canal Trust for many years. Whilst the arm heading east out of Saul Junction is now partially restored the section from Saul to the Severn at Framilode which passes behind the camera is not being restored though the unique junction lock has been been resored as can be seen here.
Taken during a cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR. For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
A traditionally designed motor narrowboat FERROUS and butty SUSAN passing through Junction House Swing bridge at Saul Junction where the Stroudwater Navigation Crosses the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. The boats were built by RW Davis Shipyard whose crane can be seen in th background. Junction Bridge House was the former Toll Collectors House for vessels using the canal.
There are many different types of vessels fron narrow boats to coastal craft to be found at Saul Junction and in the Marina constructed in the early 2000s off the Stroudwater Naviagtion.
Taken during a cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR. For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
Passengers disembarking English Holiday Cruises MV EDWARD ELGAR at Saul Junction on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to visit the Cotswold Canal Trust Visitor Centre.
The Cotswold Canal Trust is working to restore the Stroudwater Navigation which crossed the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal on the level at Saul Junction providing a link between the River Severn at Framilode and the Thames and Severn Canal.
Taken during a cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR. For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
We often read of protest votes well here is the protest boat seen moored just south of Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal whilst on my recent cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR.
Taken during a cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR. For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
MV EDWARD ELGAR at Purton on the Gloucster and Sharpness
Canal awaiting the return of passengers visiting the famous Purton Hulks Ship Graveyard.
For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
The remains of the Severn Railway Bridge which was part of the Great Western and Midland Joint Severn and Wye Railway.
The bridge was breached on October 1960 when two tankers the ARKENDALE H and WASTDALE H collided with a mid river pier in fog and exploded killing 5 members of crew.
After several years of deliberation British Railways Western Region decided to demolish the bridge in 1967.
This turned into something of a lengthy task os the first appointed contractors filed for bankruptcy.
The circular tower right supported a swing span across the canal provided to allow larger ships with masts to pass through.
On top of the span was provided a combined contriol cabin and signal box within which was located a steam engine to turn the span.
View was taken from MV EDWARD ELGAR on a Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Cruise - April 01 to 04, 2025.
For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
The distinctive bridgemasters Regency style house (Grade II Listed) at Ryalls Lane near Purton provided by the Gloucster and Sharpness Canal Company at each swing bridge to accommodate the bridgemaster and his family. Back in the day the canal was a busy 24 hour waterway bringing sea going ships into Gloucester from where cargo could easily be taken up the River Severn to the midlands and beyond by the canal system.
Today the houses are all private homes and the bridges are onlt staffed between 08:00 and 18:00.
Taken during a cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR. For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
MV EDWARD ELGAR has just the overnight berth at Splatt Bridge, Frampton on Severn bound for Sharpness and Purton shortly after 08:00 when the bridge master commenced duty for the day.
Regency style houses were provided by the canal company at each bridge for the bridge masters. However, these delightful period structures have now all been sold into private ownership but add a unique distinctive a character to each bridge which crosses the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
Early spring morning view from Splatt Bridge, Frampton on Severn looking across the meadows towards the River Severn which at this location is some distance from the canal.
Taken during my recent cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR. For more photos click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
MV EDWARD ELGAR berthed at Splatt Bridge, Frampton on Severn from where a coach excursion was operated to Berkeley Castle. The tower of Framton parish church can be seen to the right.
Click here for photographs taken on my recent cruise please click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
Nesting swan near Sellars Bridge on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal seen from MV EDWARD ELGAR.
Click here for photographs taken on my recent cruise please click here: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
One if the many vessels and boats seen on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal during my recent cruise on the MV EDWARD ELGAR wias this large motor yacht which had no name and looked a little rough around the edges.
A little bit of Googling around soon revealed that it has had quite an interesting history and is infact named KAHU.
Originally built for the New Zealand Navy in 1979 it was convered to a luxury motor yacht in 2010.
However, it was sold at a at auction by the National Crime Agency for just over half a million pounds in 2022 having been seized for drug running and its owner jailed for 18 years.
Click here for photographs taken on this cruise: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
At Two Mile Bend the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal passes the Netheridge Swing Bridge which carries the A430 Gloucester By Pass across the canal.
The bridge was constructed in 2006 and opportunity was taken to reroute the canal to ease the bend at this location.
The photograph was taken from the MV EDWARD ELGAR heading down the canal to Frampton.
Click here for photographs taken on this cruise: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
SHIP CANAL EXPLORER CRUISE – April 1st to 4th, 2025
Click here for photographs taken on this cruise: www.jhluxton.com/Canals/Gloucester-Sharpness-Canal/Glouce...
Between April 01 and April 04, 2025, I renewed my acquaintance with the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal which links the Port of Gloucester with the River Severn at Sharpness Docks on board English Holiday Cruises MV EDWARD ELGAR.
During March 2025, the opportunity presented itself to sail on Britain's smallest cruise ship at short notice thanks to a special offer which I received by email. I grasped the opportunity at once! Unlike my earlier three cruises along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal on board the vessel this was a three, rather than two-night cruise with added calls and activities.
The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was conceived during the late 18th Century “canal mania” as a means of cutting off a large loop in the River Severn at the dangerous bend near Arlingham. Opened in 1827 as a ship canal it was once one of the broadest and deepest canals in the world. It is 26.5 km (16.5 miles) long.
Since my last trip on board MV EDWARD ELGAR 11 years ago English Holiday Cruises have moved operations to their own terminal facility at The Boathouse at Hempsted just under two miles south of Gloucester Docks.
Passengers receive an allotted arrival time to facilitate parking, and I arrived at 14:30. After parking, the crew collected passengers' luggage and took it on board while passengers checked in. There is a waiting and refreshment area inside, and outdoor seating by the MV EDWARD ELGAR berth.
Before boarding, the 5 on board crew were introduced, and a short safety briefing was given. Passengers were reminded that the cruise is fully inclusive except for certain premium wines and spirits.
Constructed in 1998 by Sirius Marine Services Ltd, the MV EDWARD ELGAR is a vessel weighing 60 tonnes and measuring 88 feet in length. It accommodates 22 passengers and 5 crew members and is fully equipped with a bar, lounge/dining saloon, and 11 ensuite cabins. The amenities include satellite Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a bow camera feed displayed on a large screen in the lounge area. Additionally, the vessel features a collapsible navigating bridge allowing it to navigate under a low stone arch bridge at Worcester during upriver cruises. Two small hand-pumped hydraulic cranes are installed on the bow for gangway handling.
Departure from The Boathouse was at 15:38 with arrival at Gloucester Docks, in front of Alexandra Warehouse at 16:00 astern of the RIBCHIC PIRAHNA a former tanker which saw some service as a pleasure steamer on the Severn and later as a floating pub before opening as a café bistro in Gloucester Docks a couple of years ago. RIBCHIC PIRANA is now reported as up for sale.
MV EDWARD ELGAR remained at Gloucester Docks until late the following morning. Nearby were the historic sailing ships KATHLEEN & MAY and BESSIE ELLEN outside of T. Neilsen & Company’s Gloucester Dry Docks. KATHLEEN & MAY undergoing extensive work whilst BESSIE ELLEN was preparing for her 2025 sailing programme.
There was plenty of time to explore Gloucester Docks before dinner as well as wander off to inspect the former historic Llanthony Priory and LV14 SULA an historic Humber Conservancy Board Lightship formerly the SPURN. It has been resident at Gloucester for some time but in recent years has been offering holiday accommodation.
Dinner on board MV EDWARD ELGAR was served at 18:30. Passenger food preferences are obtained during booking, and menus are created based on these preferences. On Tuesday evening, dinner included melon, prosciutto, feta, and rocket with balsamic glaze, followed by salmon with spinach sauce, leeks, chorizo, peas, and Duchesse potatoes. Dessert consisted of raspberry and white chocolate roulade, with cheese and biscuits concluding the meal. Complimentary red and white wine were served with the meal.
Dinner turned out to be quite a sociable affair which faded into a general chat and went on until 21:00, after which I went for a wander around the dock to take some night shots and also visit the Gloucester Brewery which is based in a warehouse on Alexandra Quay adjacent to the berth.
A sound night’s sleep followed in cozy cabin 4. Cabins are small the two berths are at 90 degrees. A small, combined shower / toilet is provided. It is possible to have a shower whilst using the toilet!
On Wednesday April 02 breakfast served at 08:30 comprised scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and mushrooms with toast and preserves. After breakfast, a local historian took passengers on a guided walk around Gloucester Docks.
MV EDWARD ELGAR departed Gloucester Docks at 10:50 for Splatt Bridge near Frampton on Severn. Over the past 11 years since my last cruise, many improvements have been made to the Gloucester end of the canal. Monk Meadow Dock has become a marina with residential apartments, while Bakers Quay's former Oil Cake Mill is now accommodation.
Just beyond Monk Meadow Dock we passed an impressive though nameless motor yacht. However, a little delving on the internet has revealed it has an interesting recent criminal history and was named KAHU.
The captain sounded the horn as we sailed past The Boathouse and on to the impressive Netheridge Swing Bridge which carries the Gloucester Bypass over the canal. MV EDWARD ELGAR slowed to a stand waiting for the bridge to swing and the signal lights to change, however, a cheeky narrowboat ignored the lights and went past obviously able to pass under the bridge – but attracted some horn blowing and shouts from our captain about ignoring signals.
The sail down the canal to Splatt Bridge, Frampton was uneventful. All the swing bridges on the canal are staffed and were opened to facilitate our passage.
We passed Saul Junction at 12:48 during the service of lunch which comprised a Ploughman’s Lunch. Arrival at Splatt Bridge was at 13:10.
At 14:15 a coach collected passengers for an excursion to the historic medieval Berkeley Castle still in the ownership of the original family and the location for the filming of various TV dramas most recently being Wolf Hall, costumes from which were on display. After an excellent guided tour and some time to photograph the grounds, the coach returned everyone to the ship where carrot cake was available.
Another excellent dinner followed at 18:30 comprising Tomato and Basil Soup served with petit pain, show roast shoulder of lamb with caper sauce, gratin potatoes, butternut squash and sweet red onions followed for the main course dessert was crème brulé with passion fruit coulis and shortbread followed by cheese and biscuits. Dinner faded into a quiz session with a theme of imperial measurements probably a good choice as most passengers would not see their 60th birthday again and were familiar unlike younger generations with imperial measurements. After a couple of drinks, it was off to bed for another sound night’s sleep.
Thursday April 3rd dawned bright and clear. MV EDWARD ELGAR made an early 08:00 departure from Splatt Bridge as soon as the bridge master was on duty. Breakfast was served underway and comprised a full traditional English. There is something rather civilised to dining as one glides serenely through the English countryside!
After breakfast it was out on deck as we made our way down the canal towards Sharpness, past Purton. At this location, the River Severn comes close to the canal banks which makes this location vulnerable to erosion and for which reason Purton Ships’ Graveyard came into being as a means to stabilise the canal cut from erosion and encroachment of the Severn. It was low water, though the tide was on the flood. The wrecks of the two Harker tankers ARKENDALE H and WASTDALE H were visible in the river. These two vessels collided with the Severn Railway Bridge, two spans of which collapsed, the ships exploded, and the river was reported to be a sea of flames. The collision occurred due to the vessels becoming lost in fog on October 25, 1960, whilst trying to enter Sharpness Docks. Five crew perished in the disaster.
The only substantive remains of the Severn Railway Bridge which was constructed for the Severn and Wye Railway – jointly owned by the Great Western and London Midland and Scottish Railways are located beside the canal. The Bridge was never repaired and after several years of deliberatuion by British Railways Western Region it was demolished between 1967 and 1969.
To landward there is the short stone viaduct abutment whilst standing on the canal bank is the circular support column for the swing section provided to facilitate clearance for ships’ masts. The bridge was swung by a steam engine located in a combined signal box / engine cabin mounted on the swing span. Beside the support column a model of the swing bridge span along with an interpretation board has been provided.
A few hundred yards beyond the site of the Severn Railway Bridge one reaches a junction. A stretch of canal leads towards the old river lock. This is now used for moorings. Since the opening of Sharpness Docks, vessels wishing to enter the river continue along the spur which leads into the docks through two swing bridge from where they can access the lock to run down into the River Severn.
MV EDWARD ELGAR turned at the junction and headed back about three quarters of a mile to moor up at Purton at 09:42 close to the famous Purton Hulks.
Once everyone was ashore passengers were taken on a walk around the hulks by Jay Clements the managing director of English Holiday Cruises.
Purton Hulks is a must visit site for those interested in classic vessels and industrial archaeology offering many photographic opportunities.
Departure from Purton for Patch Bridge, Slimbridge was at 11:37 with lunch of pork and beef meatballs with mascarpone sauce served enroute.
Arrival at Patch Bridge, Slimbridge was at 12:25. Taxis were arranged to take passengers to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Slimbridge nature reserve at 13:15 with a return arranged at 16:00. WWT Slimbridge is a fascinating place where one can get close to many native and migratory wild species in their natural habitat plus some more exotic species such as the Hawaiian Goose and flamingos.
After the visit to Slimbridge rather than return straight to the MV EDWARD ELGAR I had a pint at the excellent real ale canal side public house Tudor Arms which has traded beside the canal since first being opening to serve the needs of the construction navvies over two centuries ago.
MV EDWARD ELGAR remained at Patch Bridge overnight. Thursday dinner comprised Mushroom Arancini with truffle mayonnaise, chicken wrapped in pancetta with tarragon sauce, sauteed potatoes with fine beans. Desert comprised chocolate brownie torte with whipped cream followed by cheese and biscuits. Once again dinner faded into an evening chat and drinks session. Up until Thursday evening the cruise had taken place in fine, clear weather with completely blue skies. However, in the evening of April 3rd it had clouded over.
On looking out of the cabin window on Friday morning there was evidence of overnight rain, and the sky was overcast though that was to clear later. Departure from Patch Bridge was at 08:30 on Friday April 4th.
Breakfast served on route to Saul Junction comprised poached eggs and shredded ham hock Arrival at Saul Junction was at 09:45.
Passengers were then given a talk by a representative of the Cotswold Canal Trust on that group’s plans and restoration work on the Stroudwater Navigation which linked the River Severn to the Thames and Severn Canal.
Passengers then had the opportunity to explore Saul Junction and view the only level crossing between two canals in Britain as well as visit the Canal Trust Shop and visitor centre. Saul Junction is “boat central” with all types of vessels berthed both in the Marina accessed from the Stroudwater Navigation and outside the boat yard of R.W. Davis & Son.
Departure from Saul Junction was at 11:30 with lunch comprising Mediterranean Vegetable Tart with coleslaw and salad. Arrival back at English Holiday Cruises base at Hempsted at was 13:09. Once back at The Boathouse Luggage was offloaded and returned to passengers’ cars whilst passengers returned their cabin keys.
It really was an excellent cruise; one thing is for certain I will not allow 11 years pass before I take my next trip on MV EDWARD ELGAR.
John H. Luxton April 13, 2025
The centrifugal pump known locally as "The Snail" stands on on the West Quay was installed in 1963 as part of the scheme to feed River Severn water along the canal to supply Bristol.
It was replaced in 2001 by pumps under the adjoining quayside and placed on the quayside.
For more photographs of Gloucester's Historic Docks please click here: www.jhluxton.com/Industrial-Archaeology/Historic-Ports-an...