A Waterway with Heart: The Story of the Aylesbury Arm
Beginnings: A Town That Wanted In
In the late 1700s, as canals crisscrossed England and transformed trade, Aylesbury faced a choice: connect or be left behind. The Grand Junction Canal was taking shape, linking Birmingham to London, and Aylesbury’s townsfolk were determined not to miss the boat. Plans for a branch line were approved in 1794, but it would take two decades of effort before the Aylesbury Arm finally opened in 1814.
Engineering the Arm
Stretching 6¼ miles from Marsworth Junction to Aylesbury, the new canal was no small undertaking. It descended through 16 locks, carefully laid by hand, and curved its way through peaceful farmland into the heart of the town. The waterway was both a lifeline and a symbol — proof that Aylesbury was open for business.
Life Along the Canal
For the next hundred years, the Aylesbury Arm thrived. Narrowboats laden with hay, grain, timber, coal, and malt glided along the water. Local breweries sent their beer to the capital, and supplies arrived to fuel the town’s growing industries. Boatmen and lock keepers knew every inch of the route, forming a working community that pulsed with quiet rhythm and steady hands.
The Slow Fade of Commerce
As the 20th Century unfolded, things began to change. Railways cut travel times, and lorries took to the roads. The canal, once bustling with cargo, saw fewer and fewer boats. By the 1930s, regular commercial Use had dwindled. In 1964, the last cargo boat slipped away from Aylesbury Basin, and with it went the canal’s working role.
Refusing to Be Forgotten
Even as weeds crept in and boats disappeared, the Aylesbury Arm endured. Thanks to local interest and grassroots efforts, it was never abandoned. Volunteers stepped in. Boaters returned — not for business now, but for leisure, curiosity, and love of the water. The canal began a quiet revival.
A New Chapter at Circus Field Basin
In 2003, the Aylesbury Canal Society moved to a new home at Circus Field Basin, just outside the town centre. This modern facility provides moorings, meeting space, and a base for restoring, maintaining, and celebrating the waterway’s legacy. It’s a place where the canal’s story continues — shaped by community, care, and commitment.
Today: A Living Link to the Past
Now, the Aylesbury Arm offers something quieter but no less meaningful: a towpath walk, a passing narrowboat, and reflections of trees and sky in still water. This isn’t just a relic—it’s a living connection to the people who built it, worked it, and never let it fade away.
Whether you’re stepping aboard for the first time or returning after years away, you’re part of a long and winding story — one that still flows gently through Aylesbury.
Aylesbury Canal Society History
Aylesbury lies just north of the Chiltern Hills and is a place of surprising contrasts. Extremely modern shopping areas complement Aylesbury Market, a part of the town’ life since the 13th Century. St Mary’s Church, which proudly stands above the town, lies in the ‘old town’ conservation area with its sleepy lanes and cottages.
Around every corner there’s a tale to be told – Henry VIII reputedly wooed Anne Boleyn at the King’s Head, Roald Dahl conjured up his classic children’s tales in the Aylesbury area, and his imaginative creations are now celebrated at the town’s County Museum and Roald Dahl Gallery.
In the cobbled Market Square stands the imposing statue of John Hampden – local hero and key figure in the defeat of the Royalists in the English Civil War
ACS PAST EVENTS
New Building Handover 12 September 2014
The new facilities building and club headquarters for Aylesbury Canal Society at Circus Field basin on the edge of Aylesbury was formally handed over to Society Chairman Bryan Barnes on 12 September 2014 by Peter Hubbard of the builders, Lodge Park Construction Limited.
Bryans’ Retirement – November 2017
Following over 40 years of service as Secretary and Chairman, Bryan Barnes stood down as Chairman in November 2017. The Committee arranged a surprise retirement party after the AGM which was attended by over 100 Members.
There was food, drink, music, slides, presentations, lots of chat, and catch-up about old times. Bryan was overwhelmed by the gift of a holiday voucher from member contributions, which he used to fulfil his bucket list dream of going to Maastricht to see Andre Rieu.
Thanks to Bryan and a team of Members, ACS have remained an integral part of the Aylesbury Arm in our new home at Circus Field.
He is now president and remains a resident and active member of the Society.
Christmas Light Switch on December 2018
For the first time ACS had a mass turn on of our Christmas Lights on Friday 7th December 2018.
In the run up to the event there was a lot of banter in the basin amongst all the boaters who were decorating their boats. The building was also decorated inside & out which included 3 real trees. By having lots of members involved & helping, there was a real buzz around the place.
On the evening of the 7th – complimentary mulled wine was supplied by the ACS committee & Bryan kindly donated the mince pies. The bar was open as usual from 7.30 pm & everyone gathered upstairs. Just before 8 pm, everyone moved out onto the balcony & those turning on their lights returned to their boats (with fingers crossed) to prepare for the switch-on. At 8pm the air horn was blown & to everyones surprise, all the lights were turned on & the boats illuminated. (All without causing an Aylesbury power surge!) It didn’t matter if your boat display was ‘overboard’ or you only had a few lights – it was the taking part that was encouraged & enjoyed by all. With Christmas music playing & plenty of Christmas jumpers being worn, it was a great start to the festive season.
We will be doing it again this year, and after the success of 2018, even more boaters will be taking part this year. The basin lights were the talk of Aylesbury Town last Christmas, so let’s keep up our standards and make this year’s ‘switch-on‘ even more successful.
Thank you to Sarah Rigby and Kay Amos for organising such a lovely event
HUDSON OWNERS GET-TOGETHER JULY 2019
In July 2019, several SM Hudson boats arrived at Circus Field Basin for their annual gathering. For many northern boaters, it was the first time they had visited Aylesbury. Some had not previously been south of Braunston! Several owners were unable to make the trip by boat, and some former owners arrived by car and camper van. The event was swelled by many ACS members who joined in to make it a memorable weekend for all. All in all, it was a great long weekend, and our thanks go out to all who helped, joined in the festivities, and did so much to welcome our visitors.
The Hudson owners group have held an annual get-together for 4 years now. Following the untimely death of Steve Hudson in 2014, several suggestions on how Owners could continue to meet up were put forward, and in 2016, Sarah Edgson kindly invited them back to the Hudson spiritual home of Glascote Basin, now run by Norton Canes. They continued to meet up at Glascote for the next two years, and plans were in place for 2019. Unfortunately, in March, it became obvious that due to a lack of space and work commitments within the basin, it would have to be cancelled. Step forward to the Aylesbury Canal Society and the suggestion, “Why don’t you have it here?” So the invitation was put out, and the result was a brilliant weekend to meet with friends old and new.
WORKING PARTIES
Every Spring and Autumn, the members of the Society gather together and work side by side to undertake big and little jobs around the Circus Field Basin. Jobs range from simple weeding of the bank, not so simple weeding of the canal, to painting, etc. In autumn 2019, we even had a cherry picker to clear out the drains.
Breakfast is served by a team for the hungry workers, and in the evening, we open the bar, have fish and chips along with some form of entertainment. This Autumn, we had a quiz which was immensely successful, and we are looking at making this a more permanent feature of the day