We are looking east from Semington bridge into the Kennet & Avon Canal. Before us we see the ex-junction with the Wilts & Berks Canal which ran from here to the Thames at Abingdon and is now undergoing restoration by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.
Melksham presents a considerable problem for the restoration team as much of the canal route through the town has been lost (they know where it is but it has been filled in and built over). To overcome this there are plans afoot to route the canal via the River Avon. For further info. see Link

The abandoned Wilts and Berks canal (for which some sections are still visible such as in ST9269) joined up with the Kennet and Avon canal at this point.

This handsome stone bridge, seen here from the west, carries the A350 road, northwards to Melksham, and southwards to such places as Trowbridge and Westbury. Just east of the bridge on the left (and therefore not visible on the photograph) was the junction for the long-defunct Wilts and Berks Canal, which eventually led to the River Thames at Abingdon. A group exists to attempt the restoration of this canal, but the obstacles are formidable

In the background is Lock No.15, Buckley's Lock, the bottom of the Semington pair.
Locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal are numbered from the west, Hanham Lock on the River Avon being No.1, while bridges are numbered from the east, starting in Reading.

At Semington, where the Semington Brook flows underneath the Kennet and Avon Canal, the canal is raised slightly above the mean level of the surrounding land. During daylight this provides unobstructed views out to the northwest, and as here gives an excellent view of a summertime sunset.

This standard K&A swing bridge is just under half a mile west of Semington Bridge (A650). It only carries a footpath, albeit a public right of way, to the hamlet of Whaddon.

Semington Swing Bridge no. 161 after restoration. MEP

Seen from the east, Whaddon Bridge - No.163 - is in the distance.

Looking east toward Whaddon Grove Bridge No. 162.