Stratford upon Avon - Bancroft Basin Lock

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Many thanks to Cox's Yard for facilitating this camera's location and to Avon Navigation Trust for capitally funding its installation. Stratford Canal Basin is a bustling environment centrally located between the world famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre and main shopping areas. You will find some unique and interesting boat based businesses permanently moored there. There are a good variety of food and refreshment options available, sightseeing boat tours or even dining on board a restaurant cruiser. Stratford Canal Basin is surrounded by beautiful riverside gardens, which are public open spaces to relax and enjoy. These areas are a magnet for locals and visitors and a 'must see' during any visit. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was promoted by an Act of 1793. By the time construction reached Hockley Heath in 1796, most of the money had been spent. More was raised, enabling work to start again, and the canal was joined to the Warwick & Birmingham Canal in 1802. It was not until 1812 that yet more money was raised and the cutting continued. The link to the River Avon at Stratford was completed in 1816. As on most canals, the principal traffic was coal. Some of this went on from Stratford down the river Avon to Evesham, other across Clopton Bridge and along the Stratford & Moreton tramway, which had opened in 1828.