Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Devizes, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire
Our Devizes canal boat hire base is at Foxhanger Wharf, near to the base of the Caen Hill flight of locks. From there, you can cruise west along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Bradford on Avon and Bath, or east, up the Caen Hill flight to the Vale of Pewsey, Hungerford and beyond.
Three-night destinations from Devizes
Bradford on Avon and back (20 miles, 14 locks, 11 hours)
Cruise west from Foxhanger Marina towards Seend. Within the first hour navigate two swing bridges, before reaching the Seend flight of five locks. Halfway down you’ll find the canalside Barge Inn. You can moor up alongside the pub garden or at nearby visitor moorings. The village of Seend is a 20 minute walk, where you’ll find another pub and village shop. Next you’ll go through two swing bridges before reaching the two locks at Semington. Here you’ll see the start of the disused Wilts & Berks Canal. An hour later you’ll reach Hilperton. It takes around 25 minutes to walk into Trowbridge from Balls Bridge 169.
Next you’ll cross Bliss and Ladydown aqueducts, and you’ll pass Bradford on Avon Marina, with its Boathouse pub. Turn the boat around just before Bradford on Avon lock, and moor up to explore this historic market town. Bradford on Avon has similar architecture to Bath, medieval streets, striking Saxon bridge over the Avon, independent shops and restaurants, canalside pubs, river walks and English Heritage’s magnificent 14th century Tithe Barn.
Four-night destinations from Devizes
Drifters / Sally Narrowboat trip. 21st Oct 2024
Bradford on Avon – Devizes
PHOTO BY ALISTAIR HEAP
Claverton Pumping Station and back (32 miles, 16 locks, 32 hours)
Follow the route above to Bradford on Avon and go through Bradford on Avon lock. Here you’ll enter the beautiful Bath Valley where the canal enclosed within the wooded hillside. You’ll soon meet the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct where you’ll find the Cross Guns pub. Or you can take a 15 minute walk to the Seven Stars pub in Winsley. Continue your journey to Dundas Aqueduct and the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. From there, Claverton is just over a mile away – and you can turn just north of Claverton Pumping Station. The American Museum at Claverton House is nearby.
Bath and back (39 miles, 20 locks, 22 hours)
Follow the route to Claverton and continue on, soon reaching canalside The George Inn at Bathampton. Next you’ll reach Bathwick where you’ll pass under two ornate bridges alongside Sydney Gardens. You can moor here and take a short walk into Bath city centre, or continue cruising down the Bath flight of six locks onto the Bristol Avon. Cruise upstream towards Pulteney Bridge for a stunning view of Pulteney Weir, Bath’s golden terraces and the spires of the Abbey. Be aware that visitor moorings are less frequent on the River, flows are usually low in summer months and not tidal in around Bath. Moor up at Bath Quays Waterside Moorings and explore this UNESCO World Heritage City, with its cobbled streets, Abbey, Roman Baths, shops, restaurants and museums.
7-night destinations from Devizes
Pewsey and back (26 miles, 58 locks, 19 hours)
This route takes you up the Caen Hill Flight of 29 locks and back down again. The locks are generally open from 8am to 4pm. It takes five hours to go up or down the flight, so you’ll need to make sure you allow time either end. Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are on hand to help. Once you have navigated the flight, you can moor up to explore the historic market town of Devizes, where there are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from. From there, continue your cruise east through wooded scenery, passing under large stone bridges.
Cruising into the Vale of Pewsey, this summit stretch is very scenic and passes close to a series of villages with historic pubs, as well as the canalside Barge Inn at Honeystreet. You can turn the boat around at Pewsey Wharf and then moor up to explore the waterside area, the village and surrounding countryside.
Bristol and back (74 miles, 42 locks, 38 hours total) For experienced boaters only
Follow the 4-night route to Bath city centre and continue on along the Bristol Avon, a tidal waterway. You’ll pass The Riverside Inn at Saltford, the Lock Keeper pub at Keynsham and The Chequers Inn at Hanham Lock. When you reach Bristol Floating Harbour, you can moor up to explore this vibrant waterfront area, with Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the M-Shed arts centre. Mooring fees are charged at Bristol Floating Harbour. It’s a 20-minute walk into Bristol city centre from the Floating Harbour. Turn your boat and make the return journey to Foxhanger Wharf.
10 or 11-night destinations from Devizes
Hungerford and back (54 miles, 106 locks, 38 hours)
Follow the week-long route to Pewsey and continue on through the Pewsey Vale, part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. You’ll soon reach Wootton Rivers, a pretty village with timber-framed thatched houses and Royal Oak pub. Wootton Rivers is on the edge of the Savernake Forest, where there are 4,500 acres of woodlands to explore. Soon after Wootton Rivers you’ll reach the 502 yard long Bruce Tunnel. When you reach Crofton Top Lock, you’ll see the historic Crofton Pumping Station, home to the oldest fully working beam engine in the world.
The village of Wilton with its Swan Inn is a short walk away from canal below Lock 60, next to Wilton Reservoir. The locks become more frequent between Wilton and Hungerford as you pass through hilly landscapes. As you continue on, you’ll pass close by to the villages of Great Bedwyn and Little Bedwyn, where there are a choice of pubs. When you reach the historic market town of Hungerford, the bridge by the 19th Century Church is ideal for accessing the town before you turn around and make your return journey.
Newbury and back (73 miles, 128 locks, 54 hours)
Follow the journey to Pewsey and on to Hungerford. Continue heading east along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Here the canal shares the valley with both the railway and the River Kennet. You’ll pass through the village of Kintbury with its canalside Dundas Arms, and Hamstead Park with a footpath running through it. Just before you reach Hamstead Lock no. 81, you can moor up and walk to the village of Marsh Benham, home of the Red House pub, with thatched roof. When you reach Newbury, moor up to explore this historic market town, with independent shops and restaurants, pubs, markets and museums.
14-night destinations from Devizes
Reading and back (111 miles, 168 locks, 76 hours)
Follow the route to Pewsey, Hungerford and Newbury and continue heading east through the Berkshire countryside. Soon after leaving Newbury, you’ll pass close by to Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre and The Swan Inn at Thatcham. And you’ll go through Woolhampton with its canalside Row Barge pub. At Aldermaston you’ll find the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s canalside Tea Rooms. Just after Tyle Mill lock and Tyle Mill swing bridge, you can moor up and take a 10-minute walk to the Spring Inn at Sulhamstead. Continue east past Theale and Burghfield, and into Reading.
Traffic Lights control the boats moving through central Reading and lots of bridges span the navigation as you move towards the town centre. High Bridge is a good place to moor near to access the town centre. There are theatres and museums to visit, including the Hexagon and the Reading Museum, as well as plenty of waterside pubs and restaurants. The Oracle Centre (north of High Bridge) is a popular place to stop. Turn around at the junction just after Kings Road Bridge and return to Foxhanger Wharf.
