The Grand Surrey Canal
The old route from the Thames to Plough Way was built over by the Surrey Docks, now themselves redundant and mostly filled in
The former canal route through the Surrey Docks (1)
The original route of the Grand Surrey from the Thames to the Greenland Dock was obliterated as the expansion of the Surrey Commercial Docks progressed. However, it roughly went via what were known as the Stave Dock and Russia Dock. Today only part of the Russia Dock remains. The original canal lock was situated part way down the site of the Russia Dock, and when Greenland Dock was built, the lock was moved to the south of this. Boats entering the Grand Surrey could take the Stave and Russia Dock route from the Thames, although alternatively a route via the Albion and Canada Docks could be taken. Then again boats might enter via a number of other docks, or even by the shortest route which was directly into Greenland Dock and thence the canal. However, much of the canal trade was transferred from ships in the various docks into lighters for the journey down the canal to one of its many wharves. Rarely did the canal lighters make a direct run from the Thames into the Grand Surrey itself. Here we look at the newer alignment via the Albion dock
The lock and bascule bridge (now fixed)
From the lock one could enter the former Island dock (its entrance can be seen straight ahead)
Straight out of the lock led to the Albion dock, whose entrance can be seen here
THE ROUTE:
Buildings Surrey Docks 1 Surrey Docks 2 Surrey Docks 3 To Old Kent Road Canal Junctions Canal Names Bridges Wharves Peckham Camberwell (Burgess Park)
