Winter cruising on the K&A

Allways Travellers describe the experience of winter cruising on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire

Ashley Gibbin and Ann Mealor of the International Travel Writers Alliance have reviewed their winter cruising on the K&A experience.

Setting off from our canal boat hire base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, Ashley and Ann spent four days aboard ‘Centaurus’.

In their article, they describe the facilities on board their narrowboat, including central heating and a multi-fuel stove.

They travelled to the village of Seend and back, and visited the canalside Barge Inn at Seend.

Along the way, they negotiated five locks and a series of swing bridges. And they spotted six kingfishers!

Ashley and Ann have previously been on two canal boat holidays with Drifters.

They explored Cheshire’s waterways in the autumn and the Grand Union Canal in the spring.

This was their first experience of winter cruising on the K&A. Ashley says:

“We found the winter experience on the canal different, though equally rewarding, to other seasons on the water. One has to be prepared for weather that could be chilly and somewhat inclement, and towpaths that might be a little more muddy.

“Warm clothing and sensible footwear can easily accommodate for this. Then one can embrace a waterway with relatively few other boaters and surrounding countryside that is silently serene in its stark winter garb.”

You can read Ashley and Ann’s full ‘Plying the Kennet & Avon Canal in Winter’ article here.