Southampton and Salisbury Canal: A Portrait
Salisbury Arm: Kimbridge Junction to Lockerley
Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km)
Kimbridge Junction to Dunbridge
At Kimbridge Junction, the Southampton & Salisbury Canal left the Andover Canal passing under a bridge carrying the towing path of the latter NG Ref: SU332262. WGS84: 51° 02′ 05″ N, 1° 31′ 36″ W.. Immediately, the Salisbury Arm negotiated a stop lock to prevent the Andover from losing water should there be any leaks in the Salisbury Arm beyond. Although signs of the two canals could still be seen in the 1970s, today there is no trace of the junction: neither the bridge nor the stop lock remain and the low embankment running west to the river has been removed. With the cessation of sand and gravel extraction on the other side of the valley south of Dunbridge about ten years ago, the conveyor belt that in part used the old railway and the small aggregates depot at Kimbridge Junction have also been removed.
Just over 100 yards from the junction, the canal crossed the River Test and several side streams on a four-arched brick aqueduct NG Ref: SU331263. WGS84: 51° 02′ 06″ N, 1° 31′ 44″ W.. The arches would have been very low as the surface of the water in the canal was only a few feet above the river. This aqueduct was demolished during the building of the Andover and Redbridge Railway in the 1860s. Old mapping suggests that one of the arches may not have been completely removed until the railway tracks were doubled in the early 1880s. The foundations of the brick piers were removed just after the Second World War by the river board.
West of the river, the canal was carried across the Test Valley on an embankment for about 700 yards (650m) and which can still be seen running south-westwards in amongst the trees. This substantial structure is still some 10 feet high at its highest and only pierced by the site of a two-arched aqueduct (demolished before 1871) where part of the River Test and the River Dun were both crossed NG Ref: SU327260. WGS84: 51° 01′ 59″ N, 1° 32′ 06″ W. near their confluence.
Near the crossing of a public footpath (the Test Way) and at the end of the embankment, in amongst the trees of Dene Wood, is the untraceable site of Lock 1 Approximate position NG Ref: SU325259. WGS84: 51° 01′ 55″ N, 1° 32′ 16″ W. which started the climb towards Salisbury. In less than 180 yards (160m) from the Test Way is the first crossing of the old canal by the railway to Salisbury NG Ref: SU323258. WGS84: 51° 01′ 53″ N, 1° 32′ 23″ W..
Having crossed the railway, the course of the waterway turns north-westward passing behind or through the back gardens of houses in Barley Hill, Dunbridge. The line of the canal crosses the railway twice more NG Ref: SU320260. WGS84: 51° 01′ 59″ N, 1° 32′ 41″ W. and NG Ref: SU319261. WGS84: 51° 02′ 01″ N, 1° 32′ 45″ W. immediately east of Dunbridge station (since 2006 called "Mottisfont and Dunbridge") and leaves railway property through the gate to the former goods yard. Crossing the road, the canal entered Dunbridge Wharf.
Aerial view of canal junction at Kimbridge
This aerial view from the south shows the junction between the two canals and the first half a mile (0.8km) of the Salisbury Arm.
The next image annotates items of interest.
Image date: 26 Apr 1938. © Historic England. Image from Britain from Above. Other images in the vicinity may accessed via the Britain from Above website. Approx NG Ref: SU329255. Approx WGS84: 51° 01′ 42″ N, 1° 31′ 54″ W.
Aerial view of canal junction at Kimbridge
This aerial view from the south shows the junction between the two canals and the first half a mile (0.8km) of the Salisbury Arm.
Image date: 26 Apr 1938.
Approx NG Ref: SU329255.
Approx WGS84: 51° 01′ 42″ N, 1° 31′ 54″ W.
(74.1KB)
Site of four-arched aqueduct
The aqueduct carrying the canal over the River Test was demolished to build this railway bridge. This view was taken from Mottisfont Lane looking south-east.
Image date: 8 Mar 2015. © David Martin (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU330264. WGS84: 51° 02′ 10″ N, 1° 31′ 47″ W.
Site of four-arched aqueduct
The aqueduct carrying the canal over the River Test was demolished to build this railway bridge.
Image date: 8 Mar 2015.
NG Ref: SU330264.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 10″ N, 1° 31′ 47″ W.
(119.5KB)
Looking down the River Dun
This view downstream (north-east) from the Test Way is looking towards the site of the two-arched aqueduct over the river after it turns right through 90 degrees.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2020 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU325260. WGS84: 51° 01′ 57″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
Looking down the River Dun
This view downstream from the Test Way is looking towards the site of the two-arched aqueduct over the river.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU325260.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 57″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
(97.4KB)
Canal is on a low embankment
The canal on a low embankment as it approaches the west side of the Test Valley with the River Dun alongside.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU325259. WGS84: 51° 01′ 56″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
Canal is on a low embankment
The canal on a low embankment as it approaches the west side of the Test Valley with the River Dun alongside.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU325259.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 56″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
(105.4KB)
Test Way crosses river and canal
On its way south, the Test Way crosses the River Dun and the course of the canal south of Mottisfont.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2020 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU325259. WGS84: 51° 01′ 56″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
Test Way crosses river and canal
The Test Way crosses the River Dun and the course of the canal south of Mottisfont.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU325259.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 56″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
(91.9KB)
Upstream of the Test Way
The River Dun looking upstream with the course of the canal in the trees of Dene Wood on the left. Within these trees lies the site of Lock 1. Behind the trees just beyond the weir is the Salisbury railway line.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU325259. WGS84: 51° 01′ 56″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
Upstream of the Test Way
The River Dun looking upstream with the course of the canal in the trees on the left. Within these trees lies the site of Lock 1.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU325259.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 56″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
(81.0KB)
Woodland replanting
Looking west from the Test Way south of the river, the course of the canal runs through this recently replanted area within Dene Wood about 25 yards from and parallel to the River Dun.
Image date: 23 Nov 2020. © David Martin (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU325259. WGS84: 51° 01′ 54″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
Woodland replanting
Looking west from the Test Way south of the river, the course of the canal runs through this recently replanted area about 25 yards from and parallel to the River Dun.
Image date: 23 Nov 2020.
NG Ref: SU325259.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 54″ N, 1° 32′ 15″ W.
(98.9KB)
Mottisfont & Dunbridge Station
At the far end of the left hand (eastbound) platform, the line of the canal crosses the railway from the south (right) and immediately returns to the former goods yard.
Image date: 17 Jun 2010. © Nigel Thompson (cc-by-sa/2.0). Image from www.geograph.org.uk. NG Ref: SU318261. WGS84: 51° 02′ 02″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
Mottisfont & Dunbridge Station
At the far end of the left hand platform, the line of the canal crosses the railway from the south (right) and immediately returns to the former goods yard.
Image date: 17 Jun 2010.
NG Ref: SU318261.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 02″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
(55.3KB)
Dunbridge Station and Mill
Beyond the far end of the right hand (westbound) platform, was the mill at Dunbridge. It was steam powered but suffered a major fire in 1939. It was served by a busy goods yard which finally closed in 1961.
Image date: Before 1939. Image from postcard. NG Ref: SU318261. WGS84: 51° 02′ 02″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
Dunbridge Station and Mill
Beyond the far end of the right hand (westbound) platform, was the mill at Dunbridge. It was steam powered but suffered a major fire in 1939.
Image date: Before 1939.
NG Ref: SU318261.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 02″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
(41.8KB)
Former goods yard
The canal line ran through the gates to the former goods yard at Mottisfont and Dunbridge Station.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU318261. WGS84: 51° 02′ 01″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
Former goods yard
The canal line ran through the gates to the former goods yard at Mottisfont and Dunbridge Station.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU318261.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 01″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
(59.2KB)
Dunbridge Wharf
The site of the wharf at Dunbridge with the canal bed behind the oak tree.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU318261. WGS84: 51° 02′ 01″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
Dunbridge Wharf
The site of the wharf at Dunbridge with the canal bed behind the oak tree.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU318261.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 01″ N, 1° 32′ 50″ W.
(97.9KB)
Dunbridge to Butt’s Green
From Dunbridge the canal followed the road to Lockerley lying between the lane and the River Dun. Joseph Hill’s estimate of 1794 for building the canal includes £80 “To Turning the Road at Dunbridge about 200 yards”. The dry canal bed can be easily seen along this section - sometimes during the winter it contains some water.
There are no visible remains of Lock 2, the site of which is said to be beneath the outbuilding at Dunnerley Cottage beside Lockerley Road. The rise in the road would tend to confirm this.
Several hundred yards after Lock 2, the course of the canal turns away from the road NG Ref: SU312258. WGS84: 51° 01′ 51″ N, 1° 33′ 20″ W., running just south of the river for nearly half a mile, but returns to the road NG Ref: SU306260. WGS84: 51° 01′ 59″ N, 1° 33′ 53″ W. just before The School Farm. The remains of the canal are present along much of this length. Again, Joseph Hill’s 1794 estimate refers “To Turning the River at Butt Green at the School Farm at Lockerly about 200 yards” at a cost of £150.
As the canal passes the farm, it has been infilled but to the west, for about 150 yards (140m), the bed is identifiable. One hundred yards before reaching Butt’s Green itself, a track runs northward from Lockerley Road and crosses the bed of the canal and fords the adjacent river with a footbridge accommodating a public footpath. There is no trace of any bridge crossing the course of the canal. This would have been a wooden lift (or draw) bridge.
Bed of canal beside Lockerley Road
Standing on the towing path bank and looking east along the bed of the canal with the River Dun on the left and Lockerley Road on the right.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU315260. WGS84: 51° 01′ 57″ N, 1° 33′ 03″ W.
Bed of canal beside Lockerley Road
Looking east along the bed of the canal with the River Dun on the left and Lockerley Road on the right.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU315260.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 57″ N, 1° 33′ 03″ W.
(121.8KB)
The site of Lock 2
Lock 2 was in the garden of Dunnerley Cottage and it is said its position was under the current outbuilding.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU314258. WGS84: 51° 01′ 53″ N, 1° 33′ 11″ W.
The site of Lock 2
The site of Lock 2 is said to be under this outbuilding at Dunnerley Cottage.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU314258.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 53″ N, 1° 33′ 11″ W.
(65.1KB)
West of Dunnerley Cottage
To the west of Dunnerley Cottage, the course of the canal continues to run alongside Lockerley Road for nearly 200 yards.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2017 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU312258. WGS84: 51° 01′ 51″ N, 1° 33′ 19″ W.
West of Dunnerley Cottage
West of Dunnerley Cottage the canal ran alongside Lockerley Road.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU312258.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 51″ N, 1° 33′ 19″ W.
(105.6KB)
View from Lockerley Road
The canal turns away from Lockerley Road to run in the trees a field away.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU308258. WGS84: 51° 01′ 53″ N, 1° 33′ 42″ W.
View from Lockerley Road
The canal turns away from Lockerley Road to run in the trees a field away.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU308258.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 53″ N, 1° 33′ 42″ W.
(62.2KB)
The School Farm
Approaching The School Farm, the course of the canal comes close to the road again, lying behind the hedge on the right but is not discernible here.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU305260. WGS84: 51° 01′ 59″ N, 1° 33′ 55″ W.
The School Farm
Approaching The School Farm the course of the canal lies behind the hedge on the right.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU305260.
WGS84: 51° 01′ 59″ N, 1° 33′ 55″ W.
(71.1KB)
The School Farm
Opposite The School Farm the course of the canal has been filled in and also built on behind the newly planted hedge.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2017 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU304261. WGS84: 51° 02′ 02″ N, 1° 33′ 59″ W.
The School Farm
Opposite The School Farm the course of the canal has been filled in and also built on.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU304261.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 02″ N, 1° 33′ 59″ W.
(79.0KB)
Canal bed near Butts Green
The soggy bed of the canal lies between the river and the road to the west of The School Farm, near Butt’s Green, Lockerley.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU303262. WGS84: 51° 02′ 05″ N, 1° 34′ 04″ W.
Canal bed near Butts Green
The bed of the canal between the river and the road to the west of The School Farm, near Butt’s Green, Lockerley.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU303262.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 05″ N, 1° 34′ 04″ W.
(111.0KB)
Track leading to the River Dun
The canal used to cross this track between the access to the house Dunmeads on the left and the River Dun.
Image date: Sep 2016. © 2016 Google. Image from Google Street View. NG Ref: SU303262. WGS84: 51° 02′ 05″ N, 1° 34′ 05″ W.
Track leading to the River Dun
The canal used to cross this track between the access to the house Dunmeads on the left and the River Dun.
Image date: Sep 2016.
NG Ref: SU303262.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 05″ N, 1° 34′ 05″ W.
(67.9KB)
Butt’s Green to Holbury Lane, Lockerley
The canal has been completely eliminated between the track and the railway embankment some 250 yards further on. The site of Lock 3 is not apparent either from old maps or on the ground but would seem to have been between the track and the railway. Some commentators have said that the lock was in what is now the garden of the house called Dunmeads. However, after examination of modern height data, it seems quite likely that the site of the lock is very near or even under the railway. The railway crosses the course of the canal about 130 yards west of the two arched bridge over the River Dun NG Ref: SU302264. WGS84: 51° 02′ 10″ N, 1° 34′ 13″ W.. On the north side of the railway, water in the canal is diverted into the river which in turn was diverted to pass under the bridge.
North of the railway line, the waterway contains flowing water and lies parallel to and west of the River Dun. The canal takes a substantial part of the combined flow of these watercourses. Although the canal takes some or all of the flow of the river in quite a number of places today, there is much evidence that the canal was originally engineered to be entirely separate from the river throughout its length from Kimbridge to West Grimstead.
Passing east of Lockerley’s parish church, St John’s, the watercourse swings westwards behind The Dennis Wooton Hall to arrive at a bridge under the East Tytherley road just north of its junction with the road to East Dean and adjacent to Lockerley Mill. This bridge is a replacement of the original canal structure.
From Lockerley Mill the canal runs in a generally westerly direction and to the north of the settlement at Lockerley Green and usually contains flowing water.
The line of the canal in Dunmeads’ garden
The site of Lock 3 is possibly close to the river in the garden of the house called Dunmeads.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU304262. WGS84: 51° 02′ 06″ N, 1° 34′ 04″ W.
The line of the canal in Dunmeads’ garden
The site of Lock 3 is possibly close to the river in the garden of the house called Dunmeads.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU304262.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 06″ N, 1° 34′ 04″ W.
(97.6KB)
Other possible sites of Lock 3
Alternatively, Lock 3 may have lain on the far side of the river between the garden and the railway or even under the latter. The course of the infilled canal runs towards the railway, crossing the line about 130 yards from the river bridge visible on the right.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005. © 2017 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU304263. WGS84: 51° 02′ 08″ N, 1° 34′ 02″ W.
Other possible sites of Lock 3
Alternatively, the site of Lock 3 is on the far side of the river between the garden and the railway or even under the latter.
Image date: 20 Mar 2005.
NG Ref: SU304263.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 08″ N, 1° 34′ 02″ W.
(101.0KB)
Canal near Lockerley Church
Looking south, the canal with flowing water east of Lockerley church. The River Dun lies a few yards to the left.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU297268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 35″ W.
Canal near Lockerley Church
Looking south, the canal with flowing water east of Lockerley church.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU297268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 35″ W.
(125.3KB)
Bridge near Lockerley Mill
The present road bridge over the canal near Lockerley Mill seen from the south.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU296268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 23″ N, 1° 34′ 41″ W.
Bridge near Lockerley Mill
The present road bridge over the canal near Lockerley Mill seen from the south.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU296268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 23″ N, 1° 34′ 41″ W.
(83.8KB)
Bridge near Lockerley Mill
The present road bridge over the canal and, on the left, Lockerley Mill in earlier times.
Image date: Postcard sent between 1912 & 1918 (postmark indistinct). NG Ref: SU296268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 42″ W.
Bridge near Lockerley Mill
The present road bridge over the canal and Lockerley Mill in earlier times.
Image date: Before 1919.
NG Ref: SU296268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 42″ W.
(64.7KB)
Canal near Lockerley Mill
Looking downstream from the bridge near Lockerley Mill, the canal passes The Dennis Wooton Hall (seen through the trees on the right).
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU296268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 42″ W.
Canal near Lockerley Mill
Looking downstream from the bridge near Lockerley Mill, the canal passes The Dennis Wooton Hall (seen through the trees on the right).
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU296268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 42″ W.
(117.3KB)
Bridge near Lockerley Mill
The road bridge over the canal near Lockerley Mill seen from downstream.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU296268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 40″ W.
Bridge near Lockerley Mill
The road bridge over the canal near Lockerley Mill seen from downstream.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU296268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 40″ W.
(121.6KB)
Canal near Lockerley Mill
View of the canal looking west from the bridge near Lockerley Mill, complete with towing path bank on the right.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU296268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 42″ W.
Canal near Lockerley Mill
View of the canal looking west from the bridge near Lockerley Mill, complete with towing path bank on the right.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU296268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 24″ N, 1° 34′ 42″ W.
(127.6KB)
Canal near Holbury Lane
The canal about 60 yards east of Holbury Lane looking back towards Lockerley Mill.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005. © 2009 Peter Oates. NG Ref: SU289268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 25″ N, 1° 35′ 16″ W.
Canal near Holbury Lane
The canal about 60 yards east of Holbury Lane looking back towards Lockerley Mill.
Image date: 12 Jan 2005.
NG Ref: SU289268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 25″ N, 1° 35′ 16″ W.
(123.8KB)
Canal seen from Holbury Lane
A view of the canal downstream from the bridge in Holbury Lane, Lockerley.
Image date: 28 Feb 1993. Image scanned from slide. © 2021 Laura Sturrock. NG Ref: SU289268. WGS84: 51° 02′ 25″ N, 1° 35′ 19″ W.
Canal seen from Holbury Lane
A view of the canal downstream from the bridge in Holbury Lane, Lockerley.
Image date: 28 Feb 1993.
NG Ref: SU289268.
WGS84: 51° 02′ 25″ N, 1° 35′ 19″ W.
(78.2KB)