Oxenhall House Lock

The lock was originally constructed in 1795, but as a result of the Canal Company’s finances, the cottage alongside was not constructed until 1838. This section of canal was not destroyed by the construction of the railway in 1881, as the railway diverged from the line of canal just below in order to avoid the need for a tunnel on the route to Ledbury.

Following closure in 1881, the lock gradually filled with silt and debris, and trees grew alongside, their roots causing considerable damage to the lock walls and the overspill channel than ran beneath the cottage and past the lock.

In 1996, facing great difficulties in meeting his obligations to restore the listed lock and cottage, the owner gifted the entire section of canal including the cottage, lock and aqueduct, to the Trust.

Over the next few years, the Trust, assisted by the Waterways Recovery Group, widened the top path to enable vehicular access to the site, removed the trees, excavated the lock chamber, and rebuilt the damaged overspill structures.