The Wendover arm starts at Bulbourne Junction, which is almost on top of the first of the locks which take the Grand Union canal down to Marsworth. The area has a lot of attractions and is often busy at weekends with walkers who come to see the splendid workshops nearby at Bulbourne Yard, the locks and reservoirs to the north. Alas, as current events stand, fewer walk onto the Wendover itself. The more daring daytripper may however walk to Tringford and thence back to Marsworth via the reservoirs. The junction area itself has an impressive towpath bridge, a large house, side ponds (now disused) and a dry dock immediately adjacent to the lock itself.

The first part of the canal quietly winds its way towards Tringford, and near Tring Wharf bridge the water that is pumped into the Wendover (and thus the Grand Union Canal) can be seen emerging from a sump. At Tring Wharf bridge the canal really begins its adventure. The sight as one comes round the corner at Tring Wharf bridge is amazing. This should be industrial canal scape that belongs to the Macclesfield or somewhere similar. At one time the mills provided a useful source of traffic for the canals, and they explain in part the importance of the canal's role in retaining water as far as Tringford.

Tring Wharf Bridge effects a towpath changeover from the south side to the north. The towpath changes sides two more times en route to Wendover. Each change over point neccisates crossing the adjacent road to gain the other side.

Tring Wharf Mills

Just past the mills the canal crosses a lofty embankment - this is the only such substantial work on the Wendover arm, it being a contour canal that hugs the foot of the Chiltern Hills. One can see the arm wind its way round to the other side of the valley en route to Tringford Pumping Station. Footpaths leave for the reservoirs and Marsworth at various points along here. As the canal turns towards Tringford, a feeder comes in on the left, and this, at the time of writing, is the only place a boat can wind on the navigable section. Most boats wishing to reach Tringford have to turn here then reverse (or vice versa.)

The next important stage is of course the pumping station itself. This is the only one left in the vicinity that serves the complex of reservoirs around the Marsworth area. At this point the canal is as near to Marsworth as it can get. Beyond the pumping station is the stop lock. Only the 'top gates' remain (if there was a drop it depended on how much water was in the remainder of the Wendover Arm.) I am quite sure this has been the only lock in the country where one could opt to moor their boat overnight should they wish!! This is the end of the curently navigable one and half miles. Immediately where the bottom gates stood the canal has been stanked off and at the time of writing the new, unfilled, uncompleted section to the Little Tring winding hole begins.

Views looking in the western direction at Tringford Stop Lock - The new section is just beyond the orange fencing

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