This is a recommended canal boat holidays route.
For an easy weekend to combine cruising and exploring, spend a day in Bradford on Avon and another cruising to the base of the Devizes flight. Perhaps use this as a 'taster' weekend to take a look at the impressive rise to Devizes, incorporating the notable Caen Hill Locks, one of the most impressive flights of locks in the UK.
Varied and delightful shops and restaurants line Bradford on Avon's narrow streets made all the more glorious with multi-coloured hanging flower baskets.
25 hours cruising would elsewhere be considered little more than a short break, but here the route includes Bradford on Avon, Bath, Bristol and, unusually, many more towns and villages that the canal passes through the centre of. Having followed the route of the River Avon by canal, after Bath the navigation uses the River itself, reverting to canal to divert into Bristol city centre.
Some stunning weirs accompany each river lock down to Bristol.
Museums and waterside features reflect the city's former importance as a sea port.
Frequent reminders of the route's industrial history such as the brass mill at Kelston are found within rolling valley countryside.
Book From : Hilperton Marina
7 day canal boat hire.
25 Hours cruising time.
28 Locks.
Visit Bath | Website |
Claverton Pumping Station | Website Telephone : 01225 483001 |
The American Museum in Britain | Website Telephone : 01225 460503 |
The Roman Baths | Website Telephone : 01225 477785 |
Fashion Museum | Website Telephone : 01225 477789 |
Jane Austen Centre | Website Telephone : 01225 443000 |
Bath Abbey | Website Telephone : 01225 422462 |
Visit Bradford on Avon area | Website Telephone : 01225 422462 |
SS Great Britain | Website Telephone : 0117 926 0680 |
Bristol Aquarium | Website Telephone : 0117 929 8929 |
At-Bristol Science Centre | Website Telephone : 0117 909 2000 |
Bristol Zoo | Website Telephone : 0117 974 7300 |
The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust | Website Telephone : 01380 721279 |
Trowbridge Museum | Website Telephone : 01225 751339 |
Bradford on Avon tourist information | Website Telephone : 01225 865797 |
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park | Website Telephone : 0117 986 4929 |
Bristol Tourist Information Centre | Website Telephone : 0906 711 2191 |
M Shed | Website Telephone : 0117 352 6600 |
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery | Website Telephone : 0117 922 3571 |
Cabot Circus Shopping Centre | Website Telephone : 0117 952 9361 |
Westwood Manor | Website Telephone : 01225 863374 |
The Shire Shopping Centre | Website Telephone : 01225 777255 |