canal trips devizes

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FOXHANGERS (Devizes) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Places to visit

Devizes Wharf

Planning your visit.

Local events

History and heritage

Things to do and see

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Address: The Wharf, Wharf Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1EB

Price: Once you're parked up, it won't cost you a thing

Toilets: For customers of the museum/pub/café

The Kennet & Avon Canal is a great favourite with many people. A few minutes from the centre of Devizes lies Devizes Wharf, a great place to start exploring the canal.

Look out for the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Museum - while we, as the Canal & River Trust, are the charity who own and care for the Kennet & Avon Canal itself, we work very closely with our neighbouring charity, the  Kennet & Avon Canal Trust at Devizes Wharf. They run a café, information centre and boat trips.

A short walk along the towpath

OK, so maybe around a mile's walk along the towpath to the west is one of our seven wonders of the waterways...

• Walking and dog walking
• Canoeing (slipway at the wharf)
• Kennet & Avon Trust Museum
• Wharf Theatre Devizes
• The Wadworth Brewery

Places to eat:

• The Bridge Inn, Horton
• The Hourglass
• The Black Horse

Boat trips:

• Kenavon Venture
• The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
• White Horse Boats

Picnic spot:

There are some benches dotted along the canal

• Devizes Wharf Trail - can you stop thieves stealing precious goods from the warehouse in Devizes? Travel back in time with this trail to find out about the job of a Victorian wharfinger on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes Canal Museum

Wildlife spotting:

There are lots of ducks here for the kids to feed and you're guaranteed to see some elegant swans glide past

By car - there's a public pay & display car park

By boat - you'll find visitor moorings and some boating facilities near the wharf

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Canal Holidays Guide to the Kennet & Avon Canal

One of the loveliest waterways in Britain, the Kennet & Avon meanders 86 miles between Bristol and Reading, passing through the historic city of Bath.

The route includes the fully restored Caen Hill flight of 29 locks at Devizes.

Cruising the Canal

The Kennet and Avon Canal opened in 1810, and after restoration was re-opened by HM The Queen in 1990.

It passes beautiful, tranquil and unspoilt scenery with an abundance of plant and wild life, through bustling market towns, picturesque villages and past historic monuments.

Frequently there are inviting canal side pubs offering lunch or supper.

The waterway includes the Georgian splendour of the City of Bath and the pastoral pleasures of rolling Berkshire and Wiltshire, with unique architectural and engineering features of majestic aqueducts and bridges.

Starting at Brunel's historic Floating Harbour at Bristol, close to the city's theatres, shops and restaurants, the route first takes the tidal River Avon to Bath. This spectacular World Heritage City has Georgian architecture and Roman remains including the famous Baths, Abbey and many historic attractions.

Cruise through the dramatic valley of the River Avon over the Dundas Aqueduct and on to Bradford on Avon, a pretty small town with a fascinating history. Then on through rolling farmland to the famous flight of locks (29 locks in 2.25 miles) at Caen Hill.

These locks take a day to ascend or descend! Passage needs to be booked in advance, although water shortages are not now a problem.

Then pass through historic Devizes, home of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, with its canal shop, to Crofton, home of the famous working steam beam engine.

The handsome town of Hungerford, has centre of town moorings, convenient for browsing around the many antique shops.

The canal continues to Newbury, where you will find a touch of Venetian charm, and on to meet the River Thames just after Reading.

Distance, Time, and Locks

• The complete length of the canal and return takes 2-3 weeks.
• Several bases offer suitable out-and-back routes for one or two week trips, notably in the Bristol/Bath area or the central section around Devizes.
• Short breaks are also available.

Places of Interest

Bristol: sea-faring city where boat moorings reach into the city centre. Brunel's 'Great Britain' and Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bath: Georgian city with honey stone buildings and crescents and Roman history

Bradford upon Avon: fascinating small town

Caen Hill Lock Flight: 29 locks in just over 2 miles

Crofton Pumping Station: oldest working beam engine in the world

Possible Holidays on the Kennet and Avon Canal

There are a number of one week out-and-back routes on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Bristol and Bath area: This covers the section between Bristol and Caen Hill. The locks are not usually included in this week.

Central Section: This very rural area provides a very quiet week in country scenery.

Short Breaks

Mid-week and weekend breaks are available. These can be adapted from the one-week routes above, and include the Bristol-Bath section.

Longer Holidays

From Bristol it is an energetic two-week cruise to Newbury and back. From the Reading area it is a two week cruise to the Caen Hill flight and back. It is also possible to cruise the River Thames to London or to Oxford.

Narrowboat bases on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Click on a boat base below for more information and possible routes from that base.

Customer Comments

Read what some of our previous clients say about the Kennet & Avon Canal.

"Pewsey to Bath and return on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Wonderful canal scenery, terrific locks, especially Devizes. Canal from Pewsey to Bath and return, passing initially through picturesque rolling fields, past the white horse at Pewsey, through small quaint villages, to the Caan Hill locks at Devizes." LO, UK

"Excellent holiday - we went from Bristol along the Kennet and Avon Canal through Bath and Bradford on Avon to the base of the Caen Hill flight just short of Devices - and return. Lots of interesting and historic places." FJ, Australia

"What a sight and experience navigating the 27 locks down the hill to Foxhangers. The many canal side inns offered sustaining refreshments and jovial hospitality along the way, and the forest and rolling hills with manor houses from Bradford on Avon to the two aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas were breathtaking." PB, UK

"Bath - what can one say, it is awe inspiring to approach by canal, through the magnificent bridges and tunnels with the majestic sandstone buildings forming a backdrop all around. We spent a whole day exploring Bath, and reliving the same experiences of wonderment of our first visit in 1972! This was our first canal trip, but we are hooked! Already planning the next one!" IH, Australia

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Beginners Welcome

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LOTS OF LOCKS!

The Caen Hill Locks in Devizes comprises of 29 locks.

The locks are situated on the Kennet and Avon canal and are the longest continuous flight of locks in the country.

HUGE CHOICE OF CANAL BOATS

We have lots of canal boats available in different styles, sizes and layouts

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"The agent, who offered an alternative solution, was very honest, extremely helpful and we saved a few quid in the process. I'd recommend to others. Great customer service. Didn't get their name however. Thanks."

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FULL TRAINING GIVEN

Boat and lock training are included in the price you pay and is given when you arrive for your holiday.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Check out our frequently asked canal boating questions

HILPERTON MARINA

Hilperton marina is located on the Kennet and Avon canal at Trowbridge and is a popular base.

PET FRIENDLY BOATS

Many of our boats can accommodate pets.

There may be additional charges for pets.

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We are an agent for many different canal boat companies offering some of the best priced canal boat holidays on the internet. On this site, you can hire a canal boat from our Wiltshire bases. Experienced boaters and beginners are welcome alike. Free boat handling and tuition is given when you arrive for your holiday.

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In the second part of our guide to this great east-west route, we follow the more dramatic western length as it plunges down Devizes locks, crosses impressive aqueducts, descends into historic Bath city, and follows the Avon to Bristol Harbour

Looking back at the first part of this article in the last issue, we started at the junction of the River Kennet with the River Thames on the outskirts of Reading, and then followed the steady climb through Reading and up the Kennet Valley to Newbury and Hungerford. This was followed by the lovely Vale of Pewsey, leading to Devizes where we paused at Devizes Wharf.

This time we’ll continue westwards from Devizes, where by contrast to the gentle landscapes of the first part, the final 40 miles to Bristol contain most of the iconic landmarks of the Kennet & Avon, beginning with the 29 locks at Devizes and including two major aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff. The journey also passes through Bradford-on-Avon and the beautiful Avon valley from there to the City of Bath, before the navigation ends at Bristol’s Floating Harbour.

We begin the journey at Devizes Wharf – but there’s a lot to see and do before embarking on the trip down the locks. Don’t miss the Canal Centre which is the headquarters of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. A museum traces the history of the canal and its eventual restoration, and there is also a shop and a cafe, all in a restored warehouse. Another converted warehouse now houses a waterside theatre, and the Trust also operates a trip boat from a mooring place nearby. The annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race which takes place over the Easter weekend has its starting point opposite the theatre. Finally, before leaving the wharf consider taking a short walk from the wharf to visit the Wadworth Brewery and Visitor Centre.

Back at the boat, take a deep breath: there are a grand total of 29 locks to negotiate. These are grouped in three sets: six spread-out locks leading on from Devizes Wharf, before a spectacular series of sixteen closely-space locks descending Caen Hill, followed by another seven more spaced-out locks leading to the bottom lock at Foxhangers. The Caen Hill locks have lock-keepers to assist boaters but once committed to the flight at the top lock there is no mooring allowed until reaching the foot of the flight. A cafe strategically situated by the top lock of the Caen Hill flight does offer a welcome sit down before tackling the flight.

Foxhangers, at the bottom of the locks, features a boatyard and a marina, as well as moorings where boaters can recuperate from their exertions.

The next place to stop is Seend Cleeve where there are five more locks – in an idyllic setting today, but once the centre for mining ironstone, with two blast furnaces connected by tramways leading to the canal. Nearby is the popular Barge Inn, once the home of Fred Kempster, England’s tallest man. At his death in 1918 at the early age of 29, he was 8 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 27 stone.

After Seend Cleeve only a couple of swing bridges interrupt the lovely countryside before reaching Semington and the junction with the now derelict Wilts & Berks Canal. This 51-mile-long canal opened in 1810 and provided an alternative route to the River Thames, reaching Abingdon via Swindon. It was abandoned in 1914 and some of the line has been filled in; nevertheless, the canal is slowly being restored by volunteers, led by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.

Semington has two aqueducts: one dating from 1807 and spanning the Semington Brook, and a much grander version completed in 2004 over a new road, involving the canal being diverted during construction. Two locks at Semington lead to a pleasant lock-free five miles to Bradford-on-Avon.

After a pleasant two miles of open countryside, the canal arrives at Hilperton which is a busy boating centre, with a large marina, two boatyards and a pub. It’s on the outskirts of Trowbridge whose town centre can be reached with a short walk from Bridge 168.

After Hilperton a high embankment with views of the River Avon is followed by a wooded cutting that takes the canal into Bradford-on-Avon. First there is a marina and waterside pub followed by Bradford Lock which ends the five mile lock-free section. Here the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust has a shop and cafe. Just beyond the lock and bridge is the Canal Tavern with a garden, followed by an ancient tithe barn. This is one of Britain’s finest examples of a monastic barn, built in the 14th century, and is open to visitors. There is also a handy waterside supermarket conveniently situated for boaters wanting to stock up with provisions.

Don’t rush through Bradford-on-Avon because there is a lot to see and do. Take time to walk down the hill and visit the town, which is bisected by the River Avon. The river is crossed by a nine-arched stone bridge, originally built in Norman times but widened in 1769. It has one of four examples of a bridge chapel left in Britain.

After Bradford comes the first of two superb aqueducts built in Bath stone over the River Avon. A thickly wooded section of canal arrives at a sharp bend leading to the three-arched aqueduct. Here you can stop a while at a 16th century waterside pub in an idyllic setting with panoramic views of the river and aqueduct from its garden. There is also a tea room and a group of cottages.

The canal continues on a high wooded embankment overlooking the Avon Valley with the river and railway far below. This glorious stretch of waterway ends at Dundas Aqueduct, which is even more spectacular than its predecessor at Avoncliff. Built in 1804, Dundas Aqueduct has classical columns, cornices and balustrades above three huge arches.. Named after Charles Dundas, the first chairman of the Kennet & Avon Canal Company, it remains as a magnificent tribute to engineer John Rennie.

At the end of the aqueduct Brassknocker Wharf marks the junction with the former Somersetshire Coal Canal that once served collieries in the Radstock and Paulton areas south of Bath. The line, which has been closed for over a hundred years (but is subject to restoration plans by the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society), can be traced but only the first quarter of a mile is still in water and used for moorings. A boatyard and restaurant are at the end of the present line.

Next, the canal reaches Claverton Pumping Station which was built to pump water into the canal from the River Avon. In its heyday it was powered by a huge water wheel pumping 77,000 gallons of water from the river every hour. Today, modern electric pumps do the work but the old pump has been restored by volunteers and is demonstrated to the public on special pumping days between April and October. Also worth a visit is the American Museum in Claverton village, a short walk from the canal.

River and railway are close neighbours as the canal continues in a northerly direction to Bathampton where there is a popular waterside pub. The canal now swings in a wide loop towards the west as it enters the city of Bath with wide views across the city’s rooftops, before passing through Sydney Gardens with its decorative footbridges. It is worth a stop here to visit the Holburne Museum, a Grade 1 listed building with a fine art collection, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Next comes the short Cleveland House Tunnel, with the building which was once the headquarters of the Kennet & Avon Canal Company built above the tunnel entrance – and equipped with a trap-door in the tunnel roof to allow clerks in the room above to exchange paperwork with the boatmen passing below.

Bath Top Lock marks the start of the descent to the River Avon by what were once the seven Widcombe Locks, but today form a flight of six. Local road alterations taking place around the time of the canal’s restoration from dereliction in the 1970s led to a new lock being built as an amalgamation of two former locks, making it at 19 feet one of the deepest canal locks in the country. The superlative views surrounding the canal and across the city rooftops make this flight one of the finest in Britain.

The navigation joins the River Avon at the bottom lock, but before continuing on the journey towards Bristol, consider taking a turn to the right for a short distance to the weir below Pulteney Bridge. It is no longer possible to moor there, but it’s worth it for the view of Robert Adam’s Pulteney Bridge, completed in 1774 and lined with shops in the style of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. It is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides. Bath Abbey and the famous Pump Room can be seen just beyond the riverside gardens. The rest of Bath’s many attractions are within walking distance of visitor moorings downstream of the junction with the canal. Trip boats also operate above the weir on a section of the river unavailable to visiting boats.

Back at the bottom lock of the Widcombe flight, boaters heading to Bristol will soon be aware from the wide channel that they have left the canal and joined a river navigation.

The main features of this first section of waterway are a succession of bridges and a number of old warehouses, emphasising the amount of trading that once took place in this part of Bath. More moorings are available along this section and there are supermarkets, shops and pubs close to the navigation. After Weston Lock, the city’s suburbs begin to recede and are replaced by wooded hills. There are waterside pubs near Weston Lock and another a little further ahead at Newbridge which also has a large marina with a shop as well as boating facilities.

After Newbridge the city is left behind, and the navigation follows a series of bends into open countryside. Kelston Lock has a marina and a pub, and makes a good place to stop and visit Saltford village. A little further on, Saltford Lock is in a beautiful setting with the remains of a brass mill and a popular pub, plus a sailing club so expect to see lots of yachting activity at weekends.

This beautiful reach of the river is known as the Avon Valley Country Park, and it follows a winding course to Swineford, where there is another lock, and then on to Keynsham.

Keynsham was once famous for the huge Somerdale chocolate factory, but this closed in 2011 with the loss of 400 jobs when production moved to Poland. The building was demolished and replaced by housing, a school and a shopping centre, so that delicious smell of chocolate that once wafted across Keynsham Lock is, alas, no more.

After Keynsham, the river takes a sharp bend to the north and arrives at Hanham Lock which has an attractive setting at the foot of a steep wooded hillside with a group of old cottages and two pubs. The river below Hanham Lock is tidal, and occasionally very high tides sometimes pass over the weir at Hanham making the river tidal as far as Keynsham Lock – so take advice before mooring on these lengths.

You will need a visitor licence to from the harbour authority to cruise into Bristol: you can get them from the waterway office at Hanham or from the lock-keeper at Netham Lock (if the locks are manned), or from the harbour master’s office in Bristol.

The tidal river passes along a steeply wooded valley to Netham Lock, which may be open or closed depending on the state of the tide. Here the navigation leaves the natural river and takes the artificial Feeder Channel into Bristol’s Floating Harbour.

The Floating Harbour was created by William Jessop in the early 19th century to allow ships to remain afloat whilst loading and unloading their cargoes. This was needed because the tidal rise and fall on the Avon in Bristol can be a much as 40 feet. The ability of ships to work around the clock in the Floating Harbour may have given rise to the phrase ‘ship-shape and Bristol fashion’ – or alternatively it may have referred to the need for ships to be well built and cargoes well-stowed in the days before the Floating Harbour when they would need to sit on the bottom.

The port closed in 1975 and the Floating Harbour has now been regenerated for leisure and residential use. The opening of the harbour to pleasure craft has created many attractions such as art galleries, museums, restaurants, pubs and shopping areas. Public trip boats operate around the harbour.

For all but the few adventurous, experienced and well-prepared boaters heading down the tideway to Avonmouth (for the journey to Sharpness), Bristol is the end of the journey. But before turning round and heading back east, boaters should find a mooring place in the harbour and enjoy Bristol’s attractions including the impressive cathedral. Visit Brunel’s SS Great Britain, walk to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, visit the ‘M Shed’ Industrial Museum, and don’t miss the Arnolfini art centre and gallery on Narrow Quay.

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Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

We work to promote the Kennet and Avon Canal to the benefit of all its users

• Visit our museum

You are here: Home » Things to do » Visit our museum

Our museum contains a fascinating collection of artefacts, displays and models that explain how the canal came to be built, why it fell into dereliction, and the amazing story of its restoration. 

Visitor information

Opening times: Tuesday, Wednesday and other days when volunteers are available 10am – 3pm

The museum will be closed from the 21 st December 2023 to the 9 th January 2024

How to find us: The museum is located in Devizes Wharf, there is pay and display parking outside

There is access for wheelchairs and pushchairs

School trips

We welcome school visits to our museum and have created some useful information to support a visit to us or the Kennet & Avon Canal. Contact us to find out more.

School trips can be hosted at other locations along the canal. Find out more about what is possible.

View our latest news

Drive It Day

25 April 2024

Read More ›

Annual Boiler Steam Test

20 March 2024

Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, The Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, SN10 1EB

[email protected]

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