Industrial History Online
Ovaltine Wharf
Key Words :- Ovaltine Wharf canal Wanders factory transport
Viewing the Site :- Can be seen from the canal towpath opposite. Accessible through the Ovaltine development off Station Road (semi-private)
Address :- Ovaltine Drive, Abbots Langley, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8GZ
Grid Ref :- TL 07695 02564
Co-ordinates :- Lat 51.711482 , Long -0.44266
Local Authority :- Dacorum Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Hertfordshire
Site Status :- Site extant - No Protection
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to residential housing
Site Dates :- 1913 - 1959
Description and History of Site:-
The wharf was built at the same time as the Ovaltine factory, established and run by A. Wander Ltd. It was situated between the factory and the Grand Junction Canal (Grand Union from 1929). Coal from Warwickshire was delivered for use in the drying process. The boat pairs were on a 1 week turnaround.
Photos during operation show a coal bunker immediately beside the canal, serviced by a grab mounted on a gantry crane extending over the canal (installed c.1932). Coal from Warwickshire was delivered for use in the drying process.
No finished goods were transported by canal.
From 1913 to 1925, coal was delivered by contractors, principally Samuel Barlow (Tamworth).
From 1926, Wanders ran their own narrow boat fleet with boats built by WH Walker and Bros in Rickmansworth. A total of 8 pairs ran from the wharf, built 1926-9. A further 3 pairs were bought from the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co during the war, but after the war the fleet was gradually reduced.
By 1954 only 3 pairs remained in the Ovaltine fleet, with the remainder of deliveries by Barlows.
The last delivery of coal to the wharf was by Mimas and Enid on 17 April, 1959.
Further Reading and References:-
Spain, A & D. 'A Taste of Ovaltine - The Official Story'. Battleford Books, 2002
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Grid Ref :- TL 07695 02564
Co-ordinates :- Lat 51.711482 , Long -0.44266
Local Authority :- Dacorum Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Hertfordshire
Site Status :- Site extant - No Protection
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to residential housing
Site Dates :- 1913 - 1959
The wharf was built at the same time as the Ovaltine factory, established and run by A. Wander Ltd. It was situated between the factory and the Grand Junction Canal (Grand Union from 1929). Coal from Warwickshire was delivered for use in the drying process. The boat pairs were on a 1 week turnaround.
Photos during operation show a coal bunker immediately beside the canal, serviced by a grab mounted on a gantry crane extending over the canal (installed c.1932). Coal from Warwickshire was delivered for use in the drying process.
No finished goods were transported by canal.
From 1913 to 1925, coal was delivered by contractors, principally Samuel Barlow (Tamworth).
From 1926, Wanders ran their own narrow boat fleet with boats built by WH Walker and Bros in Rickmansworth. A total of 8 pairs ran from the wharf, built 1926-9. A further 3 pairs were bought from the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co during the war, but after the war the fleet was gradually reduced.
By 1954 only 3 pairs remained in the Ovaltine fleet, with the remainder of deliveries by Barlows.
The last delivery of coal to the wharf was by Mimas and Enid on 17 April, 1959.
Spain, A & D. 'A Taste of Ovaltine - The Official Story'. Battleford Books, 2002
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Contributor :- Tim Sidaway - 12 April 2026
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Tim Sidaway
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Tim Sidaway