Canal Holiday Routes

Routes and advised travelling distances

From the 13th century Bristolhas had a maritime pastbut it wasn't until the late 18th and early 19th centuries that Bristol as a port thrived. Nowdays Bristol is a busy city full of culture and bustling commerce. It is definately worth a stop to look around. Own adtice would be to skip the mundane highstreets and head towards the Clifton Downs, White Ladies road and Park Street. Cruising on the River Avon, which takes you all the way to Bath is a lovely stretch of waterway being nice and wide. It is important, however, that if you are keen on navigating the River Avon, that you have adequate experience - prefrably on rivers. We will usually use our discresion as to whether you will be premitted to do this but once you are fully informed and after our thorough training there usually isn't a problem at all.

Heading East, the historical Roman City of Bath is an incredible place to stop for the day or evening meal. Boasting a massive range of shops and cafes, steeped in history and full of interesting architecture Bath ticks all the boxes.

The stretch from Bath to Bradford-On-Avon is full of spectacular scenery wherever you look. The canal winds it's way through the countryside and crosses over the River Avon, which runs along side the Kennet and Avon Canal, twice before reaching Bradford-On-Avon. This crossing-over of the River is done by constructing incredible aqueducts that can be admired and carefully navigated at Dundas and Avoncliff.

Devizes is an historical market town filled with independent shops and cafes, there are also large supermarkets if you really need to stock up on supplies. The market is open on Thursday mornings, located in the town square which shuts at 14:00.

Devizes is famous for it's magnicicent Caen Hill Locks which make up a rise/fall of 237 ft (72.24m). Twenty nine locks make up the entire flight of which sixteen comprise the main block of locks. This inspiring work of engineering is the steepest lock flight in the world. This section of the Kennet and Avon Canal was the last to be finished and also the last to be restored. In 2010 Caen Hill undertook major maintenance work and twelve locks were replaced. This impressive sight can be considered daunting to boaters, however with a couple of reasonably fit crew members the flight can be expected to be done between two and five hours depending on your organisation and determination!

Heading on past Devizes you enter one of the most beautiful of the canal called the long pound. This 14 mile lock free cruising area running through Pewsey Vale is known for it's amazing scenery and tranquil setting. There are often places to moor up away from everybody and everything, which means if peace and quiet is what you are after (apart from the odd moo or squark!) then you will really enjoy this section of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Our base is located in Honeystreet at bridge 124.