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Redwood Road, RUGBY, CV21 1UD

This tranquil stretch of the disused Brownsover Arm of the Oxford Canal features numerous rafts of water lily (Nymphaeaceae) pads; it's a pity they weren't in bloom as they have beautiful flowers that float on the water.

The nature reserve, consisting mainly of grassland and the disused Brownsover Canal Arm (seen here), is owned by Rugby Borough Council and managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. The paths here are designed to be accessible for disabled people.

The Brownsover Arm, which heads northwards from the main canal through the Swift Valley, is a relic of the original contour canal designed by James Brindley. A bold plan was executed in the 1820s to shorten the canal between Braunston and Coventry by using cuttings, embankments, tunnels and aqueducts to reduce the length by almost 14 miles. This left a number of redundant stretches some of which have completely disappeared while others, including this one, still have water but are no longer navigable. In this view a tree has fallen blocking the old canal.

The nature reserve, consisting mainly of grassland and a disused canal, is owned by Rugby Borough Council and managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. The paths here are designed to be accessible for disabled people.

The Brownsover Arm, which heads northwards from the main canal through the Swift Valley, is a relic of the original contour canal designed by James Brindley. A bold plan was executed in the 1820s to shorten the canal between Braunston and Coventry by using cuttings, embankments, tunnels and aqueducts to reduce the length by almost 14 miles. This left a number of redundant stretches some of which have completely disappeared while others, including this one, still have water but are no longer navigable. The canal here forms part of the Swift Valley Nature Reserve.

The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is one of the world's heaviest flying birds with a weight for males of up to 20kg (44lbs) The example seen here is probably more like 11kg (23lbs) - it is probably a male as it has a notable 'knob' at the top of its beak (females have these too but they're usually less prominent). This one was floating about on the disused Brownsover Arm of the Oxford Canal. Cf (probable) female with cygnets Image]

A new housing development in north Rugby, close to Brownsover, with views over Swift Valley.

Looking across a reed-filled pond to the pointed silhouette of Brownsover Hall Hotel hiding amongst the trees.

Unlike Image] (which is on the right in this photo) the northern range is not entirely original - the left-hand side with the hipped roof dates back to Victorian times, but the section linking it to the eastern range is more modern.

Brownsover Hall, the former residence of Sir Frank Whittle (inventor of the jet engine) is now a hotel. There are a number of references to the great inventor, particularly in the bar. See shared description below for more information and links.