Pictures of Sharpness

About Sharpness

Sharpness is best known for the fascinating waterway of the Gloucester and Sharpness canal, and the Victorian bonding houses built alongside it at Gloucester. In its heyday this was Britain's most inland port, it was built to carry ocean-going ships, but these days its waters are a far cry from when the canal was first opened in 1827.

Today, the Sharpness and Gloucester canal can count itself one of Gloucestershire's most visited tourist attractions. Not only is it lively with gaily painted river traffic, but the old docks have received a complete "make-over" and visitors can see restored Victorian warehouses, one converted into an antiques centre, new waterside shopping facilities, cafes, an old boatman's chapel and the National Waterways Museum. The busy Llanthony lift bridge can still be seen, along with a sailing ship and a large ships lock. The main run of the waterway shows several interesting swing bridges where you can often see an old bridge-keepers cottage.

This area is a "must see" for any visitor to Gloucestershire, particularly for canal enthusiasts. It is one of the countries most historic canal stretches, and visitors can learn of its history at the National Waterways Museum.

Sharpness is the terminus for the canal, it offers walks along peaceful towpaths from which you can enjoy seeing the wildlife inhabiting the canal banks. There is a russet brick modern church and cottages.