The Hertford Union Canal was built in 1830 as a short cut from the Regent’s Canal to the Lea Navigation. It was also known as Duckett’s Cut, after Sir George Duckett, but it was not commercially successful and Sir George sold the canal in 1855 to the Regent’s Canal Company.
Old Ford Lock (no.8) is on the edge of Victoria Park and at this lock I managed to miss the stables (excellent post) next to the lockkeeper’s cottage.
Victoria Park dates to the 1840s and is now a renovated, well-used and well-loved open space in the East End of London, less than three miles from the heart of the City.
The canal winds away from the Park towards Corbridge Crescent on the south bank, and the Bethnal Green Gas Holders, built 1860s-80s. At the time companies needed coal to produce and so built their holders close to the canals to take advantage of cheap transport. Just beyond the gas holders warehouses have been converted into flats.
Acton’s Lock (no.7) was named after the Acton family of Ipswich who owned land on both sides of the canal and the new estate, the Suffolk Estate, remembers the connection to the County. Running alongside the canal is the original cobbled road, courtesy Google maps.
You may be interested in
The Regent’s Canal Conservation Area
A Walk – Limehouse to Islington – an excellent description, with lovely photographs
Wanderings along the Regent’s Canal – someone who blogs for the same reason that I started
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