Short Canal Boat Holiday Breaks from Bradford on Avon
Our Bradford on Avon base is on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire.
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 Bradford on Avon
Foxhanger Wharf and back (14 locks, 15 hours)
From our new base at Bradford on Avon, cruise east along the Kennet & Avon Canal passing the canalside Beehive pub and travelling on through the Avon Valley. At Hilperton Marina you can moor up to visit the canalside King’s Arms pub or walk into Trowbridge. The journey continues east through Semington and Seend, with its canalside Barge Inn. Soon after you’ll reach the base of the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks at Devizes, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. You can turn your boat here at Foxhanger Wharf. From the canal it’s a short walk to the historic market town of Devizes, with places to visit including the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Bear Hotel, Peppermill Restaurant and Dolcipani Bakery.
Sydney Wharf and back (20 miles, 2 locks, 8 hours)
Cruise west through the beautiful Bath Valley, crossing over the Avoncliff Aqueduct with the Cross Guns pub next to it. Later you’ll cruise over Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Then you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. The journey continues on through Bathampton, passing the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. Turn the boat at Sydney Wharf winding hole and moor up. From there it’s a 15 minute walk into Bath City Centre.
Bath City Centre and back (14 locks, 14 hours)
Cruise west through the beautiful Bath Valley, crossing over the beautiful Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct with the Cross Guns pub next to it. Later you’ll cruise over Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Then you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. The journey continues on through Bathampton, passing 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 Bradford on Avon
Saltford Lock and back (16 locks, 22 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 cross over the beautiful Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct with the Cross Guns pub next to it. Later you’ll cruise over Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Next you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. And then you’ll travel through Bathampton and past 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. At Saltford you can visit the Riverside Inn.
