Wharf Farm, just south of M4. Canal ran by farm buildings
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1920, Calne Chaveywell Wharf & Bridge, middle right
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1920, Calne Wharf, bottom right
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1924, Calne Wharf, middle
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1929, Calne Lock, Chaveywell Wharf & Bridge, bottom left and right
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1929, Calne Wharf, middle
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1929, Calne Wharf, middle
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1929, Calne Lock, Chaveywell Wharf & Bridge, middle & right
Image credit: Britain from Above. 1930,
Calne Lock, Chaveywell Wharf & Bridge, bottom left and right
5
SECTION I. Abingdon to Grove Junction
Canal Entrance & Abingdon Lock SU 469966
Visited:- 7.5.60:31.5.60:18.6.60:22.9.60.
Access:-
Photograph Nos: 280, 273, 261, 281, 346
Observations: Site entrance of lock now occupied by a small nissan-type building (see 280, 261). The lock was located approximately 40 yards northeast of Boat house on river's edge (see 280). 25" plan consulted at Borough Surveyors office (31/5) shows part of Boat Ho projecting over river, possibly had some canal purpose. Indentation of river bank ///ting canal entrance is clearly visible (280).
"Old Anchor" Inn on riverside may have been resort of boatmen.
SW of lock site is large house in walled grounds (no wall on C[anal]. side)
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
5
SECTION I. Abingdon to Grove Junction
Canal Entrance & Abingdon Lock SU 469966
Visited:- 7.5.60:31.5.60:18.6.60:22.9.60.
Access:-
Photograph Nos: 280, 273, 261, 281, 346
Observations: Site entrance of lock now occupied by a small nissan-type building (see 280, 261). The lock was located approximately 40 yards northeast of Boat house on river's edge (see 280). 25" plan consulted at Borough Surveyors office (31/5) shows part of Boat Ho projecting over river, possibly had some canal purpose. Indentation of river bank ///ting canal entrance is clearly visible (280).
"Old Anchor" Inn on riverside may have been resort of boatmen.
SW of lock site is large house in walled grounds (no wall on C[anal]. side)
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
18
12. Ardingtonmead Farm SU 426913
Visited:- 7.5.60: 6.8.60: 26.8.62: 2.9.62
Access:- TP from SU 424903 (easiest) or from ardington lane, FP access fields
Photograph Nos:- 268, 269, 270
Observations:- 1:25000 map gives name as 'Canalside Cottages'. Line well defined very tall trees either bank. Footbridge (modern timber) crosses here from towpath to farm. Small one storey cottage beside towpath between farm and railway (apparently inhabited, 6/8/60), but connection with canal not obvious, building style does not seem of period.
(10.9.60) learned from owner of [a house on the west bank, near Grove,]
(old inhabitant of Grove) that this was the cottage of last lock keeper [Not so; this was probably Uncle Jim's cottage. See article by Chris Naish. dgs.], beat extended from Ardington Marsh (?) to Grove Top, junction Wantage Branch. Name J Steele.
(26.8.62 & 2.9.62) No appreciable change.
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
18
12. Ardingtonmead Farm SU 426913
Visited:- 7.5.60: 6.8.60: 26.8.62: 2.9.62
Access:- TP from SU 424903 (easiest) or from ardington lane, FP access fields
Photograph Nos:- 268, 269, 270
Observations:- 1:25000 map gives name as 'Canalside Cottages'. Line well defined very tall trees either bank. Footbridge (modern timber) crosses here from towpath to farm. Small one storey cottage beside towpath between farm and railway (apparently inhabited, 6/8/60), but connection with canal not obvious, building style does not seem of period.
(10.9.60) learned from owner of [a house on the west bank, near Grove,]
(old inhabitant of Grove) that this was the cottage of last lock keeper [Not so; this was probably Uncle Jim's cottage. See article by Chris Naish. dgs.], beat extended from Ardington Marsh (?) to Grove Top, junction Wantage Branch. Name J Steele.
(26.8.62 & 2.9.62) No appreciable change.
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
35
also for time taken to construct this part. No cuttings, except for about a quarter of a mile near Marcham.
4. LOCKS: All accessible, can be seen except (a) Abingdon (b) Caldecott. Ruined gates remain at Ardington Top, Spirit and Grove Common.
No paddle gear left anywhere.
Grove Bottom,
Smallmarsh and Grove Top filled in more or less. Masonry and brickwork generally fair (Ardington Marsh best).
5. BRIDGES: Mostly timber swing or draw type, all gone, //tings filled and some culverted. Fixed Bridges probably at Caldecott (A34), New Cut Mill, 'Cow Common' and Grove (A338). Only Cow Common intact, probably because too much trouble to demolish, there are long approach embankments both sides. (see page 55)
6. BUILDINGS: Best period original is erstwhile canalside inn at Grove (A338) west // of // cottage, less characteristic.
Ruined cottage at Ardington Top, and later small building on towpath nearby. Wharf House' Abingdon likely mid-19" century rebuild, similar Longcot new (wharf?). Same builder? But as good // as Wantage's.
7. REMARKS: No milestones found, they may be there but search impossible because of dense Growth.
* But see Sec.I.5.
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
35
also for time taken to construct this part. No cuttings, except for about a quarter of a mile near Marcham.
4. LOCKS: All accessible, can be seen except (a) Abingdon (b) Caldecott. Ruined gates remain at Ardington Top, Spirit and Grove Common.
No paddle gear left anywhere.
Grove Bottom,
Smallmarsh and Grove Top filled in more or less. Masonry and brickwork generally fair (Ardington Marsh best).
5. BRIDGES: Mostly timber swing or draw type, all gone, //tings filled and some culverted. Fixed Bridges probably at Caldecott (A34), New Cut Mill, 'Cow Common' and Grove (A338). Only Cow Common intact, probably because too much trouble to demolish, there are long approach embankments both sides. (see page 55)
6. BUILDINGS: Best period original is erstwhile canalside inn at Grove (A338) west // of // cottage, less characteristic.
Ruined cottage at Ardington Top, and later small building on towpath nearby. Wharf House' Abingdon likely mid-19" century rebuild, similar Longcot new (wharf?). Same builder? But as good // as Wantage's.
7. REMARKS: No milestones found, they may be there but search impossible because of dense Growth.
* But see Sec.I.5.
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66