Wootton Wawen Aqueduct

The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct is a cast iron structure that carries the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal across the A3400 road using a metal trough. Brick piers and abutments support this crossing, allowing boats to pass safely over the busy thoroughfare below.

The Stratford Canal Company built this structure in 1813 as part of its canal network expansion across Warwickshire. The aqueduct was designed to solve the transportation challenge of crossing a major road while maintaining the waterway's course.

The aqueduct represents early 19th-century industrial engineering achievements and remains a protected monument under British heritage preservation laws.

The structure is visible from road level and can be viewed from several angles without special access. The towpath runs alongside the canal trough and provides a close-up look at how the water crossing was engineered.

The aqueduct features towpaths positioned at the bottom of the canal trough rather than at its top, which was an unusual design choice for the period. This arrangement allows people walking to stay directly beneath the water level and observe the engineering work from an unexpected vantage point.

Location: Wootton Wawen

GPS coordinates: 52.26470,-1.76910

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00