The Act was obtained in 1827 but the original plans soon proved impracticable. Rennie was consulted; he substantially changed the line and reduced the number of locks to two: the sea lock at Highbridge and one at Shapwick. The canal opened in 1833. It was sold to the GWR in 1850, who sold it on to the Somerset Central Railway, which later became part of the Somerset & Dorset. The Glastonbury Canal closed in 1854.