Woodeaves Canal facts for kids

The Woodeaves Canal was a small, privately owned waterway in Derbyshire, England. It was located near the town of Ashbourne. This canal was quite short and was not connected to the larger network of canals across the United Kingdom.

What Was the Woodeaves Canal?

The Woodeaves Canal was a special type of waterway built for a specific purpose. It was sometimes called the Wood-Eaves Canal. Unlike many big canals that connected cities, this one was built by private owners for their own business needs.

Where Was the Woodeaves Canal Located?

This canal was found in the English county of Derbyshire. It stretched from a place called Woodeaves Mill to the Bradbourne Brook. This area is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Ashbourne.

Why Was the Woodeaves Canal Built?

The main reason for building the Woodeaves Canal was to help a cotton mill. In 1784, a cotton mill was constructed near Fenny Bentley. The mill owners, Philip Waterfield, John Matchitt, and John Cooper, needed a good way to get water to their mill.

How Did the Canal Help the Mill?

The canal's main job was to supply water to the cotton mill. But it had another important use too! The mill owners also got permission to dig for limestone along the canal's path. This meant the canal could also be used to transport the limestone they found. So, it was a useful route for both water and materials.

When Was the Woodeaves Canal Used?

The Woodeaves Canal officially opened in 1802. It was about 1.25 miles (2.01 km) long. Even though the cotton mill continued to operate for many more years, the canal itself didn't stay in use for very long.

How Long Did the Canal Operate?

The canal is thought to have stopped being used around 1846. This means it was only active for about 44 years. The cotton mill, however, kept running much longer, finally closing its doors in 1908. Today, the canal has been filled in, so you won't see it flowing anymore.