The junction was historically known as Sutton Stop due to its proximity to the hamlet of Sutton and the need for vessels to stop for toll collection.
The narrow iron footbridge at the site was constructed in 1837 to allow pedestrians to cross the canal intersection.
The stop lock was originally required because the Oxford and Coventry canal companies charged different tolls, making precise vessel measurement mandatory.
The Greyhound Inn has served as a canal-side tavern since the late 18th century, providing traditional hospitality to boatmen for generations.
The junction marks the northern terminus of the Oxford Canal, which runs 77 miles south to the River Thames.
Engine house remnants nearby once powered the pumping mechanisms required to maintain water levels between the distinct canal sections.
Hawkesbury Junction, also known as Sutton Stop, is a historic canal junction where the Coventry Canal meets the Oxford Canal. The site is defined by the Grade II listed Greyhound Inn and an original cast-iron bridge dating from the 19th century. It features a unique stop lock, once essential for managing water levels between the two independently owned canal companies. The area serves as a focal point for inland waterway heritage, preserving a layout largely unchanged since the industrial era. Narrowboats frequently moor here, maintaining the location's status as a functional transit point. Nearby industrial buildings and preserved canal-side infrastructure highlight its former role in Midlands coal transport. The site is accessible via the towpath network and remains a central node for the national canal system.
The top of the iron bridge provides a clear view of the intersecting waterways and the surrounding historic architecture.
Walk the towpaths in both directions to see the contrast between the industrial heritage of Coventry and the open rural stretches of the Oxford Canal.
Visit the local canal-side pub to observe the traditional narrowboat culture that still persists at the junction.
Wear waterproof footwear as the towpaths can become muddy during wet weather.
Do not attempt to navigate the narrow lock channels yourself, as they are for authorized vessel transit only.
Respect the privacy of those living on moored boats; do not peer into cabin windows.
