Stover Canal
The Stover Canal was built by James Templer of Stover Lodge between 1790 and 1792. The first barge transported clay between Teignbridge and Teignmouth on March 4th 1790. The canal was further extended North to Ventiford beyond Teigngrace.
From 1820 the canal was also used in conjunction with George Templer’s Granite tramway to transport granite from the family’s quarry complex on Haytor Down, to Ventiford. However, the granite trade was somewhat sporadic with fluctuating production. No granite was produced or transported between 1841 and 1851. By 1858 the quarries and tramway had closed.
The canal remained in use for transporting ball clay well into the 20th Century until finally being closed by its final owner the Great Western Railway. Today most of the canal remains in the ownership of Network Rail as successor to the GWR with the exception of Ventiford Basin and Marsh Lock which is owned by Teignbridge District Council.
For a full history see the Stover Canal Trust web site at: https://www.stovercanal.co.uk/history.htm
Read MoreFrom 1820 the canal was also used in conjunction with George Templer’s Granite tramway to transport granite from the family’s quarry complex on Haytor Down, to Ventiford. However, the granite trade was somewhat sporadic with fluctuating production. No granite was produced or transported between 1841 and 1851. By 1858 the quarries and tramway had closed.
The canal remained in use for transporting ball clay well into the 20th Century until finally being closed by its final owner the Great Western Railway. Today most of the canal remains in the ownership of Network Rail as successor to the GWR with the exception of Ventiford Basin and Marsh Lock which is owned by Teignbridge District Council.
For a full history see the Stover Canal Trust web site at: https://www.stovercanal.co.uk/history.htm
