UK Canal Boating

Day 1

Turning left out of the Marina within a mile you come to your first lock at Bradford on Avon, this where all the training you have been given kicks in, and you try and remember what you have been told!
Its not difficult, you just have to take your time and get all your crew out with their windlasses to help.
Once through the lock you now have no more locks to negotiate until you come back, some your crew can make a cup of tea!
Bradford on Avon to the North of the canal, is a lovely town, one of the beauty spots of Wiltshire, and one of the highlights of the Canal. It is a miniature Bath, rich with architectural treasures from the Saxon period to the 19th Century. Bradford upper Wharf is very attractive, with a small dock with some of its original buildings still standing, and an old canal pub by the lock. The town centre is very compact, you can walk down the hill from the Canal wharf. There is also a swimming pool near the canal. The Great Tithe barn stands below the canal embankment and is one of the finest in the UK, dating from the 14th century with a massive cathedral like structure. The splendid 9 arch Town Bridge is very unusual as it has a chapel in the middle, dating from medieval times, but used during the 17th & 18th centuries as the town prison.
You can moor here for the night if you were late in starting off.
Westwood manor lies 1 mile south west of Bradford on Avon, a 15th C stone manor house open through the National Trust.
If you want to stop at one of the best pubs on this navigation then continue to the Avoncliff Aqueduct, where the Cross Guns is in a lovely setting, right by this major aqueduct, there also a Tea room, the River Avon rushes by below you.
It is an hours cruising to here.

Day 2
Further along, if you moor at Limpley Stoke Bridge, walk down the the Railway bridge & turn left you will find a lovely 400 year old Pub called the Hop Pole, which was originally a monks wine lodge.

After crossing Dundas Aqueduct you will see a restored ¼ mile section of the old Somerset Coal Canal, the canal collected coal from 30 collieries throughout the 19th C.
The Dundas Aqueduct was built in 1804 and is one of the most well known features of the canal.
It is best viewed from the valley below to appreciate its full beauty and architecture.

West of Claverton Road bridge is the American Museum in Britain, housed in a manor built in 1820. The museum houses American decorative arts from the late 17C to the mid 19C.
Claverton Pumping station to the east of the canal has a waterwheel pump which is the only one of its kind on British canals. The pumping station is run by volunteers and is open every weekend during the season.

Bathampton & Bathwick are on the outskirts of Bath, if you want to avoid the Bath Locks the best place to moor up for Bath is at the top of the Bath Lock, Mooring here puts you in line with the rooftops of the city and an enjoyable walk away from the city centre.
Cruising into Bath is like gliding into Regency Britain.
Continue to Cleveland House Tunnel, and moor past there, you have turn (wind) your boat at Sydney Wharf Winding hole.
It is 2.45 hours to here from AvonCliff Aqueduct

Day 3
You can spend the morning exploring Bath here is so much to see.

Bath was first developed as a spa town by the Romans because of its natural warm springs.

There are extensive Roman buildings to be seen, the Roman Baths are in the heart of the city which is a World heritage Site.

The fantastic sweeping architecture of the Royal Crescent built around 1770 and the Circus which dates from 1760 have to be seen. In the Royal Crescent is the Jane Austen centre- a tribute to Bath's famous resident.

The Thermae Bath Spa the only place in the UK where you can bathe in natural warm waters.

Bath Abbey in also in the centre of the city, it was established in 1499, and is famous for its fan vaulted ceiling, also it has interesting memorials to the vast range of people who in times gone by have died in Bath.

In the afternoon you can start the cruise back to Bradford on Avon which is 3-4 hours away, and perhaps spend your last evening in Bradford on Avon before returning the boat to the marina tomorrow

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.