The opening of the North Wilts Canal in 1819, provided an alternative route to Abingdon for narrowboats, avoiding the difficult upper reaches of the Thames.
A number of traders occupied parts of the wharf, which served not only the adjacent canal-side communities of Dudbridge and Cainscross, but also a wide surrounding area that included parts of North Wiltshire. Prior to the construction of the Midland Railway’s branch line to the town of Nailsworth, 4 miles south of Stroud, the wharf was used to discharge cargoes consigned to the town.
