Saul, Gloucestershire

Saul Junction

The village lends its name to the nearby junction of the Stroudwater Navigation and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, a unique example of a crossing between two separately-owned canals.

This is a popular and busy area, with three swing bridges, an active boatyard including dry dock, a visitor centre operated by the Cotswold Canals Trust and a Canal & River Trust office, historically significant listed structures, a rowing club, car parks and a café, a marina including chandlery, boat hire and charitable excursions, extensive towpath moorings, a variety of walking routes around and along the two canals, and community events such as carol singing at Christmastime.

A pillbox that was part of the British anti-invasion preparations of the Second World War can still be found on the banks of the canal – Canal & River Trust volunteers have converted it into a safe roost for endangered pipistrelle bats.

Notable residents

• William John Westwood (1925–1999), the 36th Anglican Bishop of Peterborough, was born in Saul.

References

• {{Cite book

References

1. "Population statistics Saul AP/Ch/CP through time". [[A Vision of Britain through Time]].
2. "Wheatenhurst Registration District". UKBMD.
3. "Saul - Stroudwater History".
4. "R W Davis Ltd – Ship & Boat Builders {{!}} Marine Engineers".
5. "Cotswold Canals - Visitor Centres".
6. "Saul Junction Lock - HLF supported lock refurbishment {{!}} Canal & River Trust".
7. "Saul Junction Marina {{!}} Gloucestershire Moorings".
8. "Boat Hire".
9. "About".
10. CotswoldCanals. (28 May 2019). "Trips based at Saul".
11. workplacematters. (2022-01-05). "A good turnout at the Saul Junction Carol service -".
12. "Christmas Carol Service at Saul Junction".
13. "Saul Junction Carol Concert {{!}} Canal & River Trust".
14. "Pillboxes for pipistrelles {{!}} Canal & River Trust".