This section is very rural passing totally through farmland. The only view of modern day England being the M40 Motorway which crosses above the canal, but this is only a brief intrusion being just 1500yds after Lapworth Junction.

Canal at LapworthLapworth is a beautiful spot, on a sunny day attracting many people from the West Midlands conurbation and nearby  Warwickshire and Worcestershire towns. A link canal splits off from the Stratford and joins the Grand Union canal just 300yds to the east.

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Barrel-roof cottageBarrel-roof cottageOne characteristic of this stretch of canal is the barrel-roofed cottage at the side of the canal mostly next to locks. It is believed that they were constructed with a similar technique to the bridges and tunnels by the canal workforce. Most have had extensions added now to create more spacious canalside living. A good thing? Well, it has to be said that, to many observers, it has been worthwhile for their preservation and they must be far more attractive to passers than when they were first constructed as lock keepers’ cottages.

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Around Preston Bagot (and no doubt other places in the area, eg Henley-in-Arden) there are some superb private residences as below. I’d hate to guess at their value because it would make me a little envious; suffice it to say that they nearly made my eyes pop out 😯 This is a London commuter area by train.

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I have prepared a slideshow of my photos taken along the canal.

Click here to open a separate page with an annotated Google Map of the area  with all the placemarks identified.

Click here to find out how to get the most out of the photos.