YouTube clip: Melton Mowbray in 1846

This is a portion of the 1876 map of Melton Mowbray. The green blob shows the point from where I think the artist drew the illustration. But he mentions that the railway spoilt the view, so it may have been slightly behind here. Burton Street Basin and the length of canal to the River Eye (later the River Wreake) are now completely filled in. The only clue that this part of the canal ever existed are an avenue of mature trees in the town park, and a set of wooden lock gates.

The initial plan was that the canal would be dug as far as the river, and then barges would be taken along the River Eye. But the owner of Egerton Lodge objected to his view being spoilt and insisted that a detour be dug, taking it out of sight of his grand house and manicured gardens.

This part of the canal still exists today. It flows from a point near the town's swimming pool, under a small bridge on Leicester Road, and past the sports ground on the right.