Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Hilperton, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire
The 87-mile long Kennet & Avon Canal links Bristol on the River Avon with the River Thames at Reading. There are 105 locks along its length.
Three-night destinations from Hilperton
Bradford on Avon, Caen Hill Flight and back (21 miles, 14 locks, 11 hours)
Head west out of Hilperton Marina and along the Kennet & Avon Canal. You’ll soon cross Bliss and Ladydown aqueducts, and then you’ll pass Bradford on Avon Marina, with its Boathouse pub. Turn the boat around just before Bradford on Avon lock, and then 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. Head back to Hilperton Marina and continue heading east. You’ll soon see the start of the disused Wilts & Berks Canal, and then you’ll go through Semington Swing Bridge and then 2 locks at Semington. There are 3 more swing bridges and then you’ll reach Seend, with 5 locks and the canalside Barge Inn. There are 2 more swing bridges to open before you reach Foxhangers Wharf. There you can turn the boat around and moor up to walk up the magnificent Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
Bath and back (25 miles, 2 locks, 13 hours)
Head west out of Hilperton Marina and along the Kennet & Avon Canal. You’ll soon cross Bliss and Ladydown aqueducts, and then you’ll pass Bradford on Avon Marina, with its Boathouse pub. Moor up just before Bradford on Avon lock 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. 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, where you’ll find Claverton Pumping Station and the American Museum at Claverton House. When you reach Bathampton, you’ll see the canalside historic George Inn. When you reach Bathwick you’ll pass under 2 ornate bridges alongside Sydney Gardens. You can moor here and take a short walk into Bath city centre to explore this UNESCO World Heritage City, with its cobbled streets, Abbey, Roman Baths, shops, restaurants and museums. You can turn your boat around just before Bath Top Lock and return to Hilperton.
Four-night destinations from Hilperton
Bath City Centre and back (33 miles, 14 locks, 18 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Bath Top Lock and continue down the Bath flight of 6 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. Turn around and return to Hilperton.
7-night destinations from Hilperton
Bristol and back (59 miles, 28 locks, 25 hours) For experienced boaters only
Follow the 4-night route to Bath city centre and continue 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 Hilperton Marina.
10 or 11-night destinations from Hilperton
Head east along the Kennet & Avon Canal and you’ll soon see the start of the disused Wilts & Berks Canal. Then you’ll go through Semington Swing Bridge and then 2 locks at Semington. There are 3 more swing bridges and then you’ll reach Seend, with 5 locks and the canalside Barge Inn. There are 2 more swing bridges to open before you reach Foxhangers Wharf.
You’ll then need to travel up the 29 locks in the Caen Hill Flight. The locks are generally open from 8am to 4pm. It takes around 5 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.
When you reach Pewsey, you can moor up to explore the waterside area, the village and surrounding countryside. Continue cruising 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 village of Great Bedwyn, where you’ll find the Three Tuns pub. Next you’ll pass Little Bedwyn with its Harrow Inn and then the Pelican Inn at Froxfield. 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 to Hilperton Marina.
14-night destinations from Hilperton
Newbury and back (87 miles, 140 locks, 60 hours)
Reading and back (126 miles, 182 locks, 86 hours)
Follow the 14-night route to 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 Hilperton Marina.
