One of the challenges for the builders of the great canals linking the industrial revolution taking place in the Midlands to the commerical centre of london in the South, was to forge a way through the Chiltern Hills. When boats move from one level to another by means of locks, water is lost to the system, and must be replaced. Locks could take the canal 'up-hill' to the Tring cutting through the hills at an altitude of 120m (390 ft). However, over 50,000 gallons of water were 'lost' each time boats used the locks, so they needed to be sure of a plentiful supply of water to the summit of the canal. That source of water for the Grand Junction Canal in 1797 was water from Wendover.

This is the beginning of the fascinating story in which we follow what happened to the vital water course over the next 200 years. the best way to appreciate the significance of the Canal is to walk along the six andthree-quarter miles of towpath. This volume is designed to inform travellers along the way.

Each page is divided into two: the upper section describes the route, interesting sights along the way and signposts to other paths or excursions; the lower section gives historic and other background information relevant to the area.

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