Grand Union Canal Walks

The Grand Union canal was constructed to link London with the Midlands and has a number of branches along its length, including those that served Aylesbury and Wendover.

Wendover Arm

The Wendover arm of The Grand Union Canal, was originally intended to supply water to other sections of the canal system, using water from the many chalk streams in the area. The low cost of making this section navigable, meant that it was able to provide service to many small wharves, moving mainly agricultural produce to London and coal and timber for use locally.

Unfortunately constant leakage issues plagued this section of waterway and it proved more of a liability to the system than an asset. In recent times much work has been undertaken, by the Wendover Arm Trust and its volunteers, to reinstate parts of the Wendover arm and its canal paths prove very popular with visitors.

Wendover Canal Walk

Access to the canal is via Wharf Road using a footpath near the school (GoogleMaps). A short way along, Heron Stream empties into the canal, cascading through a small sluice, here the canal is no longer navigable as it is extremely shallow and silted up.

There is a wide variety of wildfowl to be discovered along the canal, especially along the section between Wendover and Harelane Bridge. Expect to see small white egrets, grey herons, mandarin and mallard ducks, kingfishers and swans. The scenery changes quite dramatically too, commencing as it does behind modern housing estates, then meandering amongst corridors of trees, until opening out into the beautiful Chiltern countryside beyond.

Discover the Rothschild Canal Bridge that links two parts of the Halton House Estate. Formerly Halton Manor, the estate was purchased by Baron Lionel de Rothschild from Sir George Dashwood in 1853 and it is said that Edward VII regularly met up with Lily Langtry at Halton during a three year affair in the 1870’s.

The complete Wendover Arm is 6.5 miles long and joins the Grand Union Canal at Bulbourne Junction (Marsworth). If 13 miles is too far, walking to Harelane Bridge and back is perfect for a leisurely stroll, the round trip takes around an hour.

If you want to take a packed lunch and picnic beside the canal, let us know what you want and we’ll make sure it is ready when you arrive. Just call one of the staff on 07519 834 251 or send us an email here.