Built between 1800 and 1802,[1] the canal initially provided an 11-chain (240 yd; 220 m)[6] connection between Cassington Mill and the recently constructed Cassington–Eynsham road.

[7] A wide pool exists on the canal near Cassington Mill; this was possibly a basin which acted as the original terminus.

[7][9] At this time, engineer Robert Mylne conducted a report for the Thames Commissioners, which described the canal's length as approximately 0.75 miles (1.21 km),[b] and its width as 30 feet (9.1 m).

[11] It was built as a broad canal, meaning vessels wider than 7 feet (2.1 m)—the standard maximum beam of a narrowboat—were able to use it.

[9] Although sources suggest that the canal was not complete until 1814,[11] reports exist of through-traffic of coal barges from the wharf to the Thames that were in operation in 1808.

[9] In 1839, Cassington Wharf was considered as a loading point for Taynton stone if it was to be used in the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament.

[15] Charles Barry instead opted for Anston stone, much of which was loaded at Kiveton Park Wharf onto the Chesterfield Canal and taken from there to London via the North Sea.

[20] The weirs between the River Evenlode and the canal are now used by the Environment Agency as part of their Cassington Mill gauging station.