Information for record number MWA4359:
Canal Basin at Hillmorton

Summary A canal basin on the Oxford Canal, the site of the Oxford Canal Co workshops and associated buildings. The basin remains in use , and is situated 200m north- east of the Church of St John the Baptist. It is marked on the Ordnance Survey map of 1886.
What Is It?  
Type: Canal, Canal Basin
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Rugby
District: Rugby, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 53 74
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 This complex is depicted on the 25" OS survey of 1905 as a curved basin arm to the north of the main canal, and a Y-shaped arm to the east. In 1840 the three locks were duplicated to speed navigation, and due to the resulting increase in use, a pump had to be installed.
2 The complex is now a BWB maintenance yard. There is an impressive lock house.
3 The pump was installed in the late 1700s. The old pump house still exists and is now a residence. The lock house has now been dismantled. This is a site of major significance and needs a thorough site survey.
4 Extent of Monument reduced to exclude the disused loop to the north and cover only the extant canal basin and associated buildings.
5 Hillmorton yard contains a number of features that typify the work of a small canal yard. In particular the dry dock and boatbuilders' facilities, various ancillary buildings and a former engine house maintain the scale and atmosphere of this important canal location.
6" The majority of the other buildings were built as a direct result of the arrival of the canal. The buildings around the dry dock, including the open shed, fitting shop and covered dry dock were all built in the mid to late nineteenth century. These were preceded by the boiler house around 1828 and followed by the pumping station in the early twentieth century. The majority of workers cottages, which include accommodation for tradesmen and engineers, were built in the mid nineteenth century……. The hub of the Conservation Area centres on the industrial buildings. The buildings around the dry dock are largely hidden from view by the adjacent buildings. This collection includes the open shed, fitting shop, covered dry dock, boiler house, pumping station and the former British Waterways building. The buildings are single and two storey, red brick with slate roof and of an industrial appearance. Important elements include the large scale doors, small paned fenestration within metal frames and the relative unembellished appearance. The buildings are predominantly robust and functional with little decoration. The exception is the pumping station which includes a decorated circular gable window, contrasting brick work and dentilation. Many of the buildings are clustered around the dry dock and create a courtyard enclosure. "
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Oxford Canal
Author/originator: Compton H J
Date:
Page Number: 48
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Conservation Plan
Title: Hillmorton Locks Conservation Area Appraisal
Author/originator: Rugby Borough Council
Date: 2010
Page Number: pages 8,14 and 15
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Digital Data
Title: WIAS Sites Database - Industry
Author/originator: Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Site Visit
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Kilburn C D
Date: 1984
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 4315
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: IRIS
Author/originator: Selby, J A
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Verbal communication
Title: Pers. Comm. Gill Stewart
Author/originator: Stewart G
Date: 2014 onwards
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Conservation Area The character of a town or village is often enhanced by its streets and buildings. Where these places are of special architectural or historic interest, they are protected by being designated as a Conservation Area. Conservation Areas vary greatly and can range from historic town centres to country houses set in parkland. Their special characteristics come from a combination of factors including the quality of buildings, the historic layout of roads and boundaries, use of characteristic building materials, the presence of trees and street furniture. All features within the area are recognised as part of its special character. Within Conservation Areas there are greater controls over demolition, minor developments and protection of trees. back
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument YARD * A paved area, generally found at the back of a house. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SHOP * A house or building where goods are made or prepared and displayed for sale and sold. Use more specific type where known. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument LOCK * A section of the water channel on a canal or river shut off above and below by lock gates provided with sluices to let the water out and in, and thus raise or lower boats from one level to another. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CANAL * An artificial navigable waterway used for the transportation of goods. Nowadays also used for recreational purposes. back
monument BOILER HOUSE * A building housing a boiler, often connected to a steam engine house. back
monument ENGINE HOUSE * A building housing an engine. Use specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument INDUSTRIAL BUILDING * Any building designed or adapted to accommodate trades and manufacturing activity. Use more specific site where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument DRY DOCK * A stone-faced enclosure, with entrance closed by a floatable caisson or by gates, which can be pumped dry for inspection, maintenance, or repair of the hull or underwater fittings of a ship or ships. back
monument PUMP * A machine used to raise and move water and other liquids, compress gases, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument COURTYARD * An uncovered area, surrounded or partially surrounded by buildings. back
monument WORKSHOP * A building or room used for small scale manufacture. Use more specific term where possible. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument WORKERS COTTAGE * Industrial worker's house which has been purpose built by an employer, as opposed to the workshop houses used by artisans. back
monument SHED * A slight structure built for shelter or storage, or for use as a workshop, either attached as a lean-to to a permanent building or separate. Use more specific type where known. back
monument PUMP HOUSE * A small pumping station. back
monument DOCK * An artificial area of open water, enclosed by masonry and fitted with dock gates in which ships can be repaired, loaded/unloaded or berthed. back
monument CANAL BASIN * An open area of water, usually artificial and enclosed by dock gates or locks, lined with wharves and warehouses, where barges, narrow boats and other canal vessels can load and unload goods and supplies. back
monument PUMPING STATION * A waterworks pumping station. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record