Oxford Canal Walk - Which way now? Dukes Cut
Part of my series of caches from the terminus of the canal up to Kidlington.
There is limited parking nearby so you will either have to park near the A44 or in Wolvercote and walk along the canal. If doing the series i suggest parking at Oxford Parkway P&R and getting Bus or train into Oxford City and starting with GCBJD99 Oxford Canal Walk - Not The Terminus or vice-versa.
This part of Oxford Canal goes under at least 2 names. Its title really is Wolvercote Junction since it sits below Dukes Lock no.44 and here the Dukes Cut branch heads west under the bridge and then via Dukes Cut Lock no. 44A out to the thames. The Main Canal continuing southward for another 3 miles or so to Oxford.
This is the last place that boats can wind (turn round) and if they continue on southwards they are committed until they reach the short winding hole above Isis Lock No. 46 or they have to descend the Lock and wind (turn) on the Sheepwash Channel. If the thames is in flood (Red Boards) this isn;t possible so the ability to wind here is very useful.
Dukes Cut was was constructed at the request of the Duke of Marlborough to connect the Canal to The Mill stream and the Thames just below Kings Lock. It opened in 1789 and allowed boats to take coal and other supplies to his paper mill and transport away finished product.
It also allowed passage down to Oxford since the final section of the Canal to Oxford wasn't completed until 1790.
Dukes Cut provides an alternative route out onto the thames for boats heading upstream to lechlade, downstream to Osney and beyond or those not wanting to navigate past the long lines of moored boats on residetial and section 21 moorings. It also avoids the very low bridge on the sheepwash channel. However use of the thames may incur additional licence fees. It does afford an interesting detour loop to avoid an out and back along the section into Oxford where a circuit along Dukes Cut -> Thames -> Sheepwash Channel -> Isis Lock -> Oxford Canal Northbound is possible.
For the Millenium a milepost was added indicating directions and distances for the NCN 5 which runs along the towpath here
As always, whilst the towpath is well surfaced please be careful near the water edge and keep all children under close supervision. Keep dogs on a lead due to the number of cycles and pedestrians who use this popular path to reach the city center and Jerico.
If flood warnings are in place please exercise caution as the adjacent Mill stream and Thames can be both fast flowing and deep, although the canal towpath itself rarely floods.
The cache itself is not on the locks or bridges. It is a medium sized magnetic box just large enough for a TB
Congratulations FTF..... Sapphirites