Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal has been formed by the merging together of several canals in the British capital.

The Grand Union Canal connects almost all major canals in the British capital. It establishes a link between London and Birmingham via Chilterns. The foundation of the Grand Union Canal was laid to connect the city of London with Birmingham. The canal with all its adjoining parts or “ arms”, as it was often referred to, linked the Oxford canal situated at Braunston and the Thames river. The Grand Union Canal comprises of several branches namely the Northampton Arm, the Wendover Arm, the Slough Arm and the Aylesbury Arm.

Course of the Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal in London serves as one of

the busiest waterways in the city. It flows through central London and then passes through the region of the Chiltern Hills, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire before finally flowing into the suburban areas of Birmingham. It exhibits great diversity owing to the variety it provides in terms of the adjoining architecture, wildlife and landscapes.

Canals that are part of the Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal, as it stands today, began functioning since January 1929. The formation of the canal was achieved with the merging of several canals. These included the Hertford Union Canal, the Old Grand Union Canal, Erewash Canal, Regent's Canal, Grand Junction Canal, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Union Canal and the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal. The Grand Union Canal follows the course of the River Brent.