In 1761, he opened the Bridgewater Canal in North West England to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester, later extending it to Runcorn and then to Leigh.

She objected to the erection of an obelisk, which she considered to be in poor taste, and at her behest, the monument to the Canal Duke was sited some distance from Ashridge House so as not to be seen.

To build the monument, the family appointed Sir Jeffry Wyattville, the architect who also worked on the Gothic Revival house on the estate.

[10][1] At the base, the large pedestal is inscribed with the words:[1] 'IN HONOUR OF FRANCIS, THIRD DUKE OF BRIDGEWATER "FATHER OF INLAND NAVIGATION"1832'Inside the entrance passage leading up to the staircase is a brass plate, which records the instruction of the 8th Earl to erect the monument with the inscription:[1]

At weekends, the monument is open to visitors, who can climb 172 steps inside the column to enjoy views of Ashridge and the Chiltern Hills.