The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal (sometimes known as the Hereford and Gloucester Canal) is a canal passing through Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
It is linked to the River Severn.
The canal runs 34 miles from Hereford through Ledbury, Dymock and Newent to Gloucester.
Completed in 1845 the canal has 22 locks and 3 tunnels. Like many English canals it is built to carry narrowboats.
The canal cost far more to build than was originally planned with the final cost coming out at £141,436 against an initial estimate of £69,997.
Due to the late date of the canal's completion, it was never as successful as hoped due to competition from the railways.
The canal closed in 1881 to allow for the building of the Ledbury to Gloucester railway.
It is now undergoing restoration by the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust. Since 1983 the Trust has pursued its aim to fully restore the 34 miles of canal and locks which will once again link Hereford with Ledbury, Dymock, Newent and the rest of the inland waterway system at Gloucester.
Since 1991 the local council authorities in Herefordshire have set aside land for development as a canal route. The planning department has approved projects with the canal in mind, and has taken action against those trying to build on the proposed route of the canal. Similar support has been given by the local council authorities in Gloucestershire.
In 2000, the Over Canal Basin (adjacent to the River Severn on the outskirts of Gloucester, where the Canal links with the inland waterways network)was reconstructed entirely by volunteers from the Canal Trust and the national volunteer body the Waterway Recovery Group. Some £500,000 of work was undertaken, against a 10 month deadline, with a budget of just £60,000.
The Wharf House (01452 33 2 900) is the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust's new visitor centre, tea rooms by day and restaurant by night, situated at Over (close to the A417/A40 roundabout 1 mile west of Gloucester) - all profits are donated to the H&G Canal Trust Charity.