Fifteen Victorian warehouses stand as proud guardians to Britain’s most inland port. The former dock estate has become a popular destination where visitors can enjoy interesting views and a range of modern facilities while wandering around a remarkably complete example of a Victorian port. Views include many fine late Victorian era warehouses, a working dry dock, a Mariners Chapel and other dock-related buildings that have been found new uses.
Where ships once discharged their cargoes, there is now an ever-changing miscellany of visiting narrow boats, smart motor cruisers and the occasional yacht or tall ship.
The Main Basin at Gloucester was constructed as the terminus of the ship canal with an entrance from the Severn estuary at Sharpness. As the work was nearing completion, there was concern that the basin would not be large enough for the trade expected, and so an additional Barge Arm was constructed to ensure that the Main Basin could be kept free for sea-going ships. In addition, the Canal Company built a warehouse at the north end of the basin. The canal was formally opened on the 26 April 1827, and a huge crowd gathered to watch the first two vessels enter the basin amid the firing of guns and the ringing of church bells.
The Barge Arm was an early development for use by barges and narrow canal boats to keep them out of the way of the big ships in the Main Basin. Each side of the Arm was lined with yards handling such cargoes as coal, stone, timber or building materials, and each yard was initially served by a siding of horse-drawn tramroad to Cheltenham.
From here generations of Gloucester men went ‘up country’ to the Midlands in narrow canal boats that were 70 feet long and 7 feet wide. On the outward journey, most carried grain or timber imported through Gloucester, returning with goods for export or coal for local consumption. The master of each boat was paid by the trip and was expected to find his own crew, and many found it necessary to take their wife and/or children rather than employ another man. Children working on the boats had little opportunity to attend school, and their lack of education meant that most continued to work on the boats when grown up.*
*From a sign board next to the Barge Arm
Not that I have visited many,but I think dockyards are sad places.
I am fascinated by dockyards and the activities that go on in them.
Did you enjoy the Docks, Cherie?
I did and I would have liked more time there to explore. I am sure we will go back for another visit.
nice pictures, CP. i like the idea that there is renewed interested in this area.
Thanks Ayush
Ah… We were there a few months ago as my son currently works in Cheltenham. We had a very good meal in a place at the docks (forget the name) and the cathedral is stunning. Hope to be back in April, en route to Bath.
Photos of the Cathedral coming soon
We will be back there too, although I am not sure when yet…
Nice shots , the second one looks like a panoramic one.
I cropped my photograph to turn it into a panoramic shot so that the focus was on the ships