Description
The Grand Union Canal was built in 1800 to extend the existing Grand Junction Canal, which ran to Brentford, with central London. The land for the Hammersmith stretch of the canal was purchased in 1799 from the Bishop of London. The canal was in use for transporting goods until the early C20th and now provides a green corridor with recreational facilities along the towpath.
Practical Information
| Site location | Access from Old Oak Lane, Scrubs Lane |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW10 |
| What3Words | ///buns.clash.memory |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Events | Events organised by Canal & River Trust - see website |
| Public Transport | London Overground/Tube (Bakerloo): Willesden Junction then bus. Tube: North Acton (Central) then bus. Bus: 220, 266. |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Grand Union Canal was built in 1800, originally called the Paddington Canal, in order to extend the existing Grand Junction Canal, which ran to Brentford, with central London. The land through which the Canal was cut in Hammersmith was purchased from the Bishop of London in 1799, after much negotiation by the Chelsea Waterworks Co. The new canal was in use until the early C20th when its importance for transporting goods was superseded by other forms of transport. The section in the borough runs just east of the Hythe Road footbridge to the aqueduct over Counter's Creek, a stretch of 1.3 km, divided by Mitre Bridge taking Scrub Lane over the canal. The towing path runs along the south side of the canal. The grass is kept short and the hedges are trimmed. Seats and waste paper bins are provided. At the point where the canal crosses Counter's Creek there is an area with seats and picnic tables, with a small pond at this point. Landscaping has been carried out by the London Wildlife Trust and also Hammersmith and Fulham Amenity Trust and it is an important area for ecology.
On 2 July 2012, British Waterways ceased to exist in England and Wales and in its place the Canal & River Trust was set up to care for 2,000 miles of historic waterways.
On 2 July 2012, British Waterways ceased to exist in England and Wales and in its place the Canal & River Trust was set up to care for 2,000 miles of historic waterways.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ215825 (west)/230823 (east) |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Canal & River Trust |
| Site Management | LB Hammersmith & Fulham management of canal towpath in the borough |
| Dates | 1800; C20th |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Grand Union Canal |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Metropolitan Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Site 84 Old Oak Common Sidings EN 27 Nature Conservation |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Acton Cemetery was opened in 1895 on farmland purchased for the purpose by Acton Local Board in 1893. Land was initially consecrated for burial in the southern section, a drive from the entrance leading to a pair of chapels connected by a porte-cochère with picturesque turret. The cemetery was extended to the north in 1915 and 1926 but by 1903 the site was divided by the railway line running east/west, the two parts connected by a metal footbridge. Among those buried here are various civic dignitaries and others, including Albert Perry, a passenger on the SS Lusitania, and George Temple, the first British airman to fly upside down. Near the entrance on Chase Road to the north a small circular memorial garden was created c.2001 on the site of a former cemetery building.
Wormwood Scrubs is common land, but since 1872 the military have had rights to use it under the Military Forces Location Act and part of the Scrubs had been leased to the Army since 1812. In the past this use was extensive and at times access was limited. Wormwood Scrubs now merges imperceptibly with Old Oak Common, which is in fact located in LB Ealing. Originally the division between the two commons and borough boundary was one of the several small streams that joined to form Stamford Brook. The military finally released the last land that it held in 1962. Sports facilities, including the Linford Christie Stadium, have been built on this area.
St Mary's Catholic Cemetery was established in 1858 to serve the needs of the increasing numbers of Catholics in the area, particularly Irish immigrants. It lies to the west of Kensal Green Cemetery with which it shares a boundary wall, and it has a lodge, catacombs and chapel. There are many fine tombs and mausoleums, particularly in the northern part. The southern part remains in use for burial. There is very little formal planting, but a fine avenue of horse chestnut trees flanks the main drive and scattered trees include willow, maple, ash, lime and Lombardy poplar.