Short Canal Boat Holiday Breaks from Monkton Combe
Our Monkton Combe base is on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Brassknocker Basin, just outside Bath.
One of our best-loved canals, the 87-mile long Kennet & Avon Canal links the Bristol Avon with the Thames at Reading, passing through spectacular landscapes and the World Heritage City of Bath.
From the beautiful Bath Valley and the foothills of the Cotswolds in Somerset and Wiltshire to the North West Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the wooded Kennet Valley, this canal offers the chance to enjoy some of England’s most beautiful countryside.
Weekend/3-night Canal Boat Holiday from Monkton Combe
Hilperton and back (14 miles, 2 locks, 5 hours)
From our base at Monkton Combe on the Somerset Coal Canal, cruise east along the Kennet & Avon Canal, crossing over the magnificent Dundas and Avoncliff Bath stone aqueducts, passing the popular canalside Cross Guns pub at Avoncliff. Next you’ll go through Bradford-on-Avon lock and you can moor up to explore this historic town, often described as a ‘mini Bath’. There’s a great choice of places to visit, shop and eat, including English Heritage’s medieval Tithe Barn, The Cheese Shop and canalside Barge Inn. Continue heading east, passing the canalside Beehive pub and travelling on through the Avon Valley. Turn your boat at Hilperton Marina and moor up to visit the canalside King’s Arms pub or walk into Trowbridge.
Bath City Centre and back (11 miles, 12 locks, 8 hours)
Cruise west through the beautiful Bath Valley, passing Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. Next you’ll pass through Bathampton and the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. You’ll go down the flight of six locks at Bath (the Widcombe flight) and you can turn and moor close to Pulteney Bridge. From there, you explore all this fabulous UNESCO World Heritage city has to offer, including the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Museum, Bath Abbey, Theatre Royal and Royal Crescent.
Mid-week/4-night breaks from Monkton Combe
Caen Hill locks and back (30 miles, 16 locks, 16 hours)
On a four-night break from Monkton Combe, you can continue heading east from Hilperton to reach Foxhangers Wharf at the bottom of the 29 locks at Caen Hill, Devizes. You’ll pass through Semington, home of the Somerset Arms, and the pretty Wiltshire village of Seend, with its canalside Barge Inn and Brewery Inn at nearby Seend Cleeve. You can moor and turn at Foxhangers Wharf at the bottom of the Caen Hill flight, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. From there you can walk up the flight to explore the historic market town of Devizes, including the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Bear Hotel, Peppermill Restaurant and Dolcipani Bakery.
Bristol Floating Harbour and back (45 miles, 26 locks, 21 hours)
Please note, this route is only available to hirers with lots of boating experience.
Heading west from the marina along the Kennet & Avon Canal, and cruise through the beautiful Bath Valley. You’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. Next you’ll pass through Bathampton and the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. Next you’ll travel down the flight of six locks in Bath (the Widcombe flight) before joining the River Avon. You’ll pass through Saltford with its Riverside Inn and Keynsham with its Brassmill and Lock Keeper pubs. You’ll cruise on through a steeply wooded valley, before reaching Hanham Lock and the Old Lock & Weir Inn. Cruise on to Bristol Floating Harbour, home of Brunel’s SS Great Britain ship, the MShed Bristol Museum and galleries, and the Watershed arts centre, cinema and café bar. The centre of Bristol is just a 20 minute walk away. There are mooring fees at the floating harbour.
