account arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right closecontact-us emailFacebookheart instagramjoin linkedin phonepinterestplaysearch twitteryoutube

Oakham Canal

The Oakham Canal opened in 1802, connecting Oakham to the Melton Mowbray Navigation, and thence to the connected canal network via the River Soar.  The Canal was originally a great commercial success, but was bought out by the Midland Railway Company in 1847, and closed so that its line could be used for a railway between Syston and Peterborough.

Map showing the Oakham Canal

Facts & Stats

16 miles

(25km)

Original length of the Oakham Canal.

19 locks

1802

Year opened

The canal closed in 1847.

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.