The Aylsham Navigation canal

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 16 Jul 2008

Leading to the former staithe, below Millgate Mill > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/881948 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/885415 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/885420. A single-plank footbridge once spanned the river here, spanning the hard gravel bottom of the millpool where the water was shallow. The bridge was destroyed by the Army for security reasons. The completion of the Bure navigation canal (the so-called Aylsham Navigation) in 1773 brought further wealth to the prosperous town and led to the development around Millgate. William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845 reports that "The Bure, which washes the foot of the town, was formerly only navigable from Yarmouth to Coltishall, (11 miles below Aylsham bridge by the water, and 7 by land) but in 1773, an act was obtained for extending the navigation to Aylsham, for boats of 14 tons burthen, drawing two feet five inches water, which was completed after many difficulties and interruptions, in Oct., 1779, at a cost of upwards of £6000, including the cost of the basin and wharfs near the bridge, where much business is done in coal, corn, timber, &c." On 26th August 1912 the great flood destroyed all locks and the Aylsham Navigation was closed; in 1967 the mill was vacated and in 1974 the Aylsham Canal basin was filled in. See also > http://www.norfolkmills.co.uk/aylsham-navigation.html. The image was taken from private land and permission has been given by the owners to publish here.

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