Information for record number MWA1708:
Edstone Aqueduct, Bearley

Summary Edstone Aqueduct, also known as Bearley Aqueduct, a bridge holding canal water, was constructed during the Imperial period. It is no longer in use but is situated 250m west of Salters Lane.
What Is It?  
Type: Canal, Aqueduct
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Wootton Wawen
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 16 60
(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: )
Listed Building (Grade: II*)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 One of the notable structures of the Stratford on Avon to Birmingham Canal is the iron aqueduct at Bearley. It was built in 1812-1816 and is about 130m long.
2 The structure is in good condition but is no longer used.
3 Edstone or Bearley aqueduct is the major engineering feature of the Canal. An iron trough nearly 160 yards in length is carried on 13 tapering brick piers, over 20 feet high and capped with dressed stone: has been restored occasionally.
4 Photo.
5 Letter to the Inspector of Ancient Monuments recommending scheduling.
6 The second longest cast iron aqueduct in Britain. 14 spans of about 34ft. with a total length of 498ft. The waterway is carried in a cast iron trough with the towpath alongside level with the base of the trough. Engineer William Whitmore, completed in 1816.
7 Article by Roger Cragg: Description of design and construction of aqueduct by William Whitmore, with the help of William James, engineer. Reference to North Warwickshire Railway (opened in 1906 from Birmingham to Stratford) with tracks passing underneath the aqueduct, the double track diverging slightly to pass either side of one of the piers of the aqueduct.
8 Photo of aqueduct
9 Photo of aqueduct 1965.
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Canals of the East Midlands
Author/originator: Hadfield C
Date: 1970
Page Number: 180
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Edstone Aqueduct
Author/originator: WM
Date: 1976
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Digital Data
Title: WIAS Sites Database - Industry
Author/originator: Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Digital Data
Title: WIAS - Retort! Bulletin issues 1 (1993)-10 (2000)
Author/originator: Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society
Date:
Page Number: 006
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: The Stratford-on-Avon Canal website
Author/originator:
Date: 2018
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: The Stratford-on-Avon Canal website
Author/originator:
Date: 2018
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: Our Warwickshire website
Author/originator: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2018
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Wright S M
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1565
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Site Visit
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: SMW
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1729
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Canals
Author/originator: Elwin G & King C
Date:
Page Number: 38
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Edstone Aqueduct in Wootten Wawen.
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2002
Click here for larger image  
 
Edstone Aqueduct and tow path in Wootten Wawen.
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2002
Click here for larger image  
 
Edstone Aqueduct on the Stratford on Avon to Birmingham Canal
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1965
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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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 SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument TROUGH * A narrow, open container, usually where food or water for animals is put. Use 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 STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument PIER * A structure of iron or wood, open below, running out into the sea and used as a promenade and landing stage. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument AQUEDUCT * An artificial water channel for carrying water over long distances. Use also for bridge-like structures that carry the channel or canal across a valley, river or other obstacle. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument RAILWAY * A line or track consisting of iron or steel rails, on which passenger carriages or goods wagons are moved, usually by a locomotive engine. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record