Fixed Bridges

Newtown Bridge

Ocean Railway Bridge

Nutshell Bridge

Stonehouse Bridge

Upper Mills Bridge

Skew Bridge

Haywards Bridge

Ryeford Bridge

Oil Mills Bridge

Cloth Mills Bridge

Hilly Orchard Footbridge

Dudbridge Bridge

Stroud Brewery Bridge

Wallbridge Bridge

Dr Newton’s Way Bridge

Bowbridge Bridge

Stanton’s Bridge

Jubilee Bridge

Ham Mill Bridge

Bagpath Bridge

Gough’s Orchard Bridge

Bourne Mill Bridge

One of the most pleasing features of the Cotswold Canal is the unique and beautiful architecture of the traditional heritage humpback bridges. Built to a classic design, they have, in the main, lasted well over the 240 years that they been in place. As traffic has increased, some of the bridges have had to be replaced by modern structures carrying the significant increase in vehicle traffic but pleasingly a sufficient number of heritage bridges have survived to make them a really unique feature of the Stroud Water Navigation and Thames & Severn Canals.

When the canal was first built there were a selection of both humpback bridges and swing bridges.

Traditionally historic heritage humpback bridges offer more than 10’ of head room in the middle but at full navigable width rather less. Water levels of course do vary depending on the time of the year and rain fall, but users of the canal can reliably expect to enjoy head room of 10’ on all of the heritage humpback bridges.

Starting at the beginning of the length currently in navigation, the first fixed bridge that we come to is:

Newtown Bridge

Map Ref: SO 790 055

What 3 Words: ultra.stoops.boss

Sometimes known as Newtown Roving Bridge, it is the first of the historic heritage humpback bridges you will come to. The tow path moves from the northern side of the canal to the southern side of the canal and is now only used for light farm traffic, therefore displaying a tranquillity and authenticity which makes the Cotswold Canals so appealing.

Ocean Railway Bridge

Map Ref: SO 797 051

What 3 Words: husky.ramps.soggy

This bridge was removed and the canal infilled bar a culvert in the 1950’s. A new bridge is being planned. The railway is the main Bristol to Birmingham mainline.

Nutshell Bridge

Map Ref: SO 800 049

What 3 Words: ignore.aged.visions

This is another original heritage humpback bridge which has changed little over the centuries. The road that it carries is still only a minor lane and interestingly canal related buildings were built on either side of the southern abutment, making this one of the most photogenic bridges on the canal.

Stonehouse Bridge

Map Ref: SO 804 048

What 3 Words: flaking.crucially.affirming

This is a modern, high-level bridge constructed in 2000 which gives standard headroom and width.

Upper Mills Bridge

Map Ref: SO 805 048

What 3 Words: cackling.corporate.policy

This is a new, modern high-level fixed bridge which was built in 2010. Due to modern road design criteria, a compromise had to be made during its reconstruction which makes this bridge slightly lower in height than the traditional heritage bridges. The headroom on this bridge is only 8’ (2.44m) so care needs to be taken by boaters who should be aware that this is a low-level bridge.

Skew Bridge

Map Ref: SO 806 047

What 3 Words: poem.colder.indulges

This was originally a railway bridge on the former Midlands Railway branch from Gloucester to Nailsworth. This steel lattice bridge is now a public footpath and cycleway but is a permanent reminder of this branch line which closed in 1965.

Haywards Bridge