The Grand Union Canal - from Berkhamstead south to Cassiobury Park.

Canal Locks, Bridges and features on the Grand Union Canal in England as it heads from Gas 2 Lock 52 to Cassiobury Park via Apsley.

The following is a continuation from our Slapton, Marsworth Locks, Bulbourne, Northchurch - Grand Union Canal item.
Yet again this section of the Grand Union Canal is excellent for use by cyclists and walkers - the towpath is not always that wide but is in generally very good condition. There are a few canal locks along the route but these are fairly spaced out - nothing to exercise narrow-boat owners compared with the huge lock flights further north.
The countryside and surroundings are beautiful to go through and this is especially so in the Autumn as the leaves on the trees change their colours - providing as good a display as you will find anywhere. A good example of the colours from the Autumn leaves is shown below at Hunton Lock.
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Berkhamstead and the Grand Union Canal.

As the Canal passes Berkhamstead it is well worth leaving the canal at Bridge 141 and taking the short walk up Castle Street into the centre of the town. There are several old buildings including several belonging to Berkhamstead School and also a really nicely shaped church (St. Peters). Berkhamstead also had a very relevant connection with the Grand Union Canal in that during 1932 Job East's Timber Yard produced more than 200 Lock Gates. These were used on renovation and improvements on the Warwick section of the canal. Berkhamstead also has a castle which is located on the other side of the adjacent railway lines by Bridge 141 - in reality there is not a lot see since Berkhamstead Castle is ruined and mostly consists of the remains of the castle walls.