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Discover Maunsel Lock, a great place to start exploring the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.

Maunsel Lock was once busy with boats plying their trade to and from Bridgwater Docks. Today, it’s a great place to start exploring the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.

A little bit of history Maunsel Lock, on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, is a picture of peace. During the Second World War however, it formed a line of defence known as the Wessex Stop (or Taunton) Line and all the swing bridges were removed. Many have now been reinstated as part of a programme of restoration.

Download the Maunsel Lock map HERE

Parking
Toilets
Café
Picnic
Boat trips
Path
Allow 1-2 hours for this visit
* Don’t forget: Although the site is always open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

Five things to do at Maunsel Lock

• Look out for Second World War pillboxes where anti-tank equipment was stored.
• Maunsel Lock is on the edge of the Somerset Levels – a great place for wildlife. Look out for kingfishers, herons, dragonflies and damselflies.
• Enjoy a traditional cream tea in the Maunsel Lock Tea Rooms over looking the canal.
• Take a boat trip and discover more about the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.
• Starting at Maunsel Higher Lock, explore the Somerset Space Walk. Scale models of the planets are positioned along the canal to represent the solar system.

Did you know?... Our lock gates are handbuilt by skilled carpenters in our workshops in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, from FSC Green Oak. Each one is unique and can take up to a month to make. Once built they last for about 25 years.

Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.