Avon Aqueduct

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Overview

Aqueduct constructed 1796-1798 under engineers William Felkin and Charles Handley. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1479407
Date first listed:: 13-Sep-2022
List Entry Name:: Avon Aqueduct

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1479407
Date first listed:: 13-Sep-2022
List Entry Name:: Avon Aqueduct
Location Description:: River Avon, Warwick. SP3007365455

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Warwickshire
District:: Warwick (District Authority)
Parish:: Warwick
National Grid Reference:: SP3007265454

Summary

Aqueduct constructed 1796-1798 under engineers William Felkin and Charles Handley.

Reasons for Designation

Avon Aqueduct, Warwick, constructed in 1796-1798 under the engineers William Felkin and Charles Handley, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural Interest: * the aqueduct demonstrates engineering boldness, with the structure successfully carrying the Warwick to Napton Canal over the River Avon; * a robust and functional structure, though elegant in its design and detailing, with ashlar stone blocks and keystones to the arches.

Historic Interest: * the aqueduct was constructed in the late-C18 at the peak of the ‘canal age’, its survival helps to demonstrate the expansion of canal infrastructure during the period.

History

An era known as the ‘canal age’ was sparked by the construction of the Bridgewater Canal (1759-1761) with 4,000 miles of canals constructed by the mid-C19. Canals and improved river navigations, together, provided the transport infrastructure which facilitated the Industrial Revolution.

In 1796 an Act of Parliament was passed to extend the Birmingham to Warwick Canal to the east, with the new Warwick to Napton Canal commencing in the parish of Budbrooke and passing Leamington Priors (now Leamington Spa) to join the Oxford Canal at Napton on the Hill. The new canal was to be approximately 14 miles long and cross the River Avon to the east of Warwick. Avon Aqueduct was constructed in 1796-1798 under engineers William Felkin and later Charles Handley; both were advised by Henry Couchman, the county bridge master. The canal was completed in 1799 and opened in early 1800.

In 1908 a concrete parapet was erected on the north-east side of the aqueduct. A metal balustrade was added to the south-west side in the late-C20.

Details

Aqueduct constructed 1796-1798 under engineers William Felkin and Charles Handley.

MATERIALS: constructed of sandstone, with later concrete parapet and metal railings.

DESCRIPTION: the aqueduct is constructed of ashlar blocks and has three wide-stanning stone arches with keystones, with slightly projecting stone piers in between with angular buttresses. The underside of the arches is rendered. The north-east elevation of the aqueduct has a concrete parapet, with late-C20 metal railings on the south-west elevation. The section of canal that the structure carries is approximately five metres wide with the length of the aqueduct being 70 metres in total. The edge of the canal is bordered with sandstone with a tarmac pathway to either side for pedestrians.

Sources

Websites
The Canal at Royal Leamington Spa, accessed 25 May 2022 from https://leamingtonhistory.co.uk/the-canal-at-royal-leamington-spa/
Other
Warwick District Canal Conservation Area, Warwick District Council, 2018

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.