By early 1796 the entire length of Nottingham Canal is open to traffic, connecting collieries at Wollaton and Bilborough amongst others to Langley Mill, and from there to the Cromford Canal.

The historic quartet of canal workers cottages were some of the first buildings in the local area. The first detailed census shows a lock house and three cottages are occupied, with a total of 21 people living on the site. Built as part of the Beeston Cut in 1796, the lock cottages were home to generations of canal working families.

Lived in successively by families and evolving over the years to suit their current needs.

The Beeston Lock area has been home to many characters, none more notable than William 'Bendigo' Thompson, the most famous boxer of the Victorian era.

However, after the last tenants left in the early 1980’s, the cottages became abandoned and derelict, and left empty . Community concern over the future of the cottages led to the creation of the Canalside Heritage Trust in 2010.

&nbsp;