The Grantham Canal from Nottingham to Grantham a history of life.

The Grantham canal runs 33 miles from the river Trent in Nottingham to Grantham right through the Vale of Belvoir.

About the Grantham Canal.

This delightful canal runs for 33 miles from its junction of the River Trent at West Bridgford through the attractive Vale of Belvoir to the market town of Grantham.From behind the Nottingham Forest Football Ground where the canal meets the River Trent to Grantham the route follows the old canal built in 1797 and now disused. This is now a wonderful walkway and in parts a proper cycle track for all the family to enjoy.

The Grantham Navigation Association for the benefit of all those dedicated to the reconnection of the Grantham Canal to the national waterways network and its full restoration to navigational standards. We also wish to serve the interests of those who value the canal for leisure and recreational purposes and invite you the whether walker, naturalist, angler or boater to contribute to our endeavours.

The History of The Grantham Canal.

The Grantham Canal, in common with many others, has a chequered history. The canal was conceived and constructed in the "canal mania" days of the 1790s. It continued to make a profit until the opening of the Grantham to Nottingham railway in 1850 signalled the beginning of a steady decline in the commercial use of the canal.

It was closed to all traffic in 1929 and was 'abandoned' under the London and North Eastern Railway (General Powers) Act of 1936. Agreements pertaining to water extraction rights for agricultural purposes ensured that most of the canal was retained in water, although there is a dry section in the vicinity of Cropwell Bishop. Unfortunately, following the closure of the canal to navigation, many of the original hump backed bridges were replaced with new low level bridges and concrete culverts.

The Grantham canal resteration society has a large barge on the canal the three shires that can be booked via the Grantam canal website here. For interested historians the canal was built to bring goods and coal to the area and was financed by the Duke of Rutland and local businessmen. There are many other good cycle routes close by and whatever your leisure activity you can rest in the Rutland Arms.The Grantham canal partnership was formed in 1997 and re vitalises in 2004.

The purpose of the canal Partnership.

The partnership is to promote the sustainable restoration of the Grantham Canal to full navigable status, doing so in such a way as to conserve its character and the environment and enhance the communities along its 33-mile corridor’ Not only does the canal provide a great place for walking,cycling and fishing it is also a great attraction to wildlife in the area, if you look close you can see kingfishers on the bankside, swans are always around with ducks, coots,moor hens and many other wild birds. Fishing is popular with a good stock of tench,calp,roach and pike. Barg trips near the Rutland Arms at Woolsthorpe by Belvoir re now taking place.