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Routes from Bradford on Avon
Reading & back
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The Route
14 nights 
130 miles 
88 hours 
184 locks 
All levels
Reading & back from Bradford on Avon
Bliss & Ladydown Aqueducts A mile after leaving Bradford on Avon Marina, you’ll cross Bliss and Ladydown aqueducts. Bliss Aqueduct carries the canal over the River Bliss and Ladydown Aqueduct carries the canal over a railway line.
Hilperton Marina Half a mile later you’ll pass Hilperton Marina.
Semington Swing Bridge Just under two miles later you’ll encounter Semington Swing Bridge and Semington Aqueduct.
Semington Locks The journey continues east through the two locks at Semington.
Newton & Seend Swing Bridges Soon after the locks you’ll reach Newton Swing Bridge and less than half a mile later, Seend Park Swing Bridge.
Seend Locks There are five locks at Seend. You’ll find the Barge Inn just after the second lock and you can moor up opposite.
Foxhanger Wharf There’s another swing bridge just after the locks at Seend and 1.5 miles later you’ll reach Foxhanger Wharf. This is a good place to moor up for the night, ready to make the journey up the Caen Hill flight the next morning.
Caen Hill Flight It takes around five hours to cruise up the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. Canal & River Trust volunteers are on hand to help. The locks are open between 8am and 2pm during the main boating season. There’s more information about boating up or down the Caen Hill flight here.
Devizes The historic market town of Devizes is at the top of the Caen Hill flight, offering a choice of restaurants and pubs including The Bear Hotel and The Peppermill. The Wiltshire Museum at Devizes has Britain’s best Bronze Age archaeology collection, including gold from the time of Stonehenge.
Bishops Cannings Three lock-free miles on you’ll reach Bishops Canning Swing Bridge and there’s a footpath into the village, home of the Crown pub.
Honeystreet 5 lock-free miles and another swing bridge later you’ll reach Honeystreet, home of the canalside Barge Inn. You’re now cruising through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, with views of the chalk White Horse.
Pewsey Wharf 4 lock-free miles later you’ll reach Pewsey Wharf, where you can moor up and follow the Pewsey Vale Trail, visit the Pewsey Heritage Centre and eat at the Waterfront Bar & Bistro.
Wootton Rivers 3 miles on from Pewsey, you’ll reach Wootton Rivers Lock, on the edge of the Savernake Forest. The popular Royal Oak pub is in the village.
Bruce Tunnel Just over 2 miles and 3 locks later you’ll reach the 502-yard long Bruce Tunnel, also known as Savernake Tunnel, marking the highest point of the canal.
Crofton Less than 1 mile after the Bruce Tunnel, you’ll reach Crofton Top Lock. It’s the start of the Crofton flight of 9 locks, taking you downhill and almost to Great Bedwyn. Below Lock 60 on the Crofton Flight you can moor up next to Wilton Water reservoir and the historic Crofton Pumping Station.
Great Bedwyn Soon after Beech Grove Lock, the bottom of the Crofton flight, you go through Church Lock. Soon after, you can then moor up at Great Bedwyn Wharf to explore the village, with its Three Tuns pub and Bedwyn Stone Museum.
Froxfield Just over 2 miles and 6 locks later you’ll reach the Pelican Inn.
Hungerford Just over 2 miles later and another 4 locks you’ll reach Hungerford Town Bridge, where you can moor up to explore this historic town with many antique shops and plenty of pubs to choose from, including the Bear Hotel.
Kintbury 3 miles and 3 locks on from Hungerford you’ll reach the pretty village of Kintbury, with it’s canalside Dundas Arms. Kintbury is also the home of the Kennet Horse Boat Company.
Newbury 6 miles on from Kintbury, you’ll reach Newbury Lock. You can moor up to visit the town either before or after Newbury Lock. The historic market town of Newbury has a great choice of pubs, including the canalside Lock Stock & Barrel. You can visit the Newbury Museum and Newbury Racecourse.
Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre 2 miles after leaving Newbury, you’ll reach Widmead Lock, a short walk away from Thatcham Discovery Centre.
Thatcham 1 mile later you’ll reach Thatcham, Monkey Marsh Lock and the Swan Inn.
Woolhampton 3 miles and 3 locks later you’ll reach Woolhampton Lock. The Rowbarge Inn is just after the lock, next to Woolhampton Swing Bridge.
Aldermaston 2 miles later you’ll reach Aldermaston Lock. You’ll find the Butt Inn and Aldermaston Tea Rooms at Aldermaston Wharf.
Sulhamstead Moor up before or after Tyle Mill Lock and you can walk into the village of Sulhamstead, home of the popular Spring Inn.
Reading Cruise on another 7 miles, through another 7 locks, and you’ll reach Reading’s Oracle Shopping Centre. You can turn at the winding hole near King’s Bridge Road and moor up to visit this historic town. There’s a great choice of canalside places to eat, including Wagamamas. The Vue cinema is canalside too. Reading Museum is a short walk away, home to half a million objects, crossing archaeology, art, natural history, social history and world cultures, including Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry.
FAQs
What are the best routes for canal boat holiday beginners?
Anglo Welsh offers a variety of beginner-friendly routes across the UK. From the historic beauty of the Kennet & Avon Canal to the scenic Llangollen Canal, there’s something for everyone. Routes without too many locks tend to be best for beginners. Our team can recommend a route tailored to your interests and the duration of your holiday.
Where can I moor overnight and what does it cost?
There are plenty of places to moor your canal boat for free along towpaths, making overnight stops flexible and stress-free. If you prefer additional facilities like water, electricity, or secure mooring, some marinas charge a small fee. Our team can provide route advice, including the best mooring spots along your journey.
How easy is it to operate locks?
Operating locks is a fun part of the canal boat holiday experience, and it’s easier than you might think. During your handover, we’ll explain how to safely work locks. You’ll quickly get the hang of it, and there’s always help at busy locks if you need it.
