 The North Wilts Canal, which linked the Wilts & Berks Canal at Swindon with the Thames and Severn Canal at Latton, north of Cricklade, passed close to the hamlet, where there was a lock.The canal was opened in 1819 and abandoned in 1914; since 2007 it has been under restoration as part of the Cricklade Country Way.The hamlet has given its name to Hayes Knoll station on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.