Blunder Lock, spill weir and boundary markers

MATERIALS: The lock chamber is built of coursed limestone with ashlar dressings; the wing walls have been rebuilt in brick. The spill weir is constructed of stone and red brick.

DESCRIPTION: The single pound LOCK has stone-built walls and large ashlar coping stones, while the wing walls have been rebuilt in brick. There are limestone dressings at the gate positions to the upper and lower ends of the chamber. The pairs of timber gates were replaced in the late C20; iron fittings restrain the gateposts. The associated SPILL WEIR is situated on the towpath (north) side of the lock and formed part of the site's water management system: an overflow device for ensuring the canal water levels remained stable. It consists of an open roughly semi-circular, stone-lined trough into which the overspill flowed. The copings on the south side of the basin have been encased in concrete. The overflow channel leading underground from the weir has two shallow, segmental-arched openings in brick which spring from stone jambs and a central chamfered stone. The spill weir is enclosed by late-C20 iron railings.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the group also includes two roughly-carved stone boundary markers. They are situated on the south side of the canal, at either end of the lock pound, and appear to date from the late C18.