There’s plenty of storage on board and we offer advice on what to pack
Canal Boat Hire from Monkton Combe
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
With our Price Promise you know you’ll be paying the best price.
Cruise from Monkton Combe – Explore the Kennet & Avon Canal in Bath, Somerset, Wiltshire and Berkshire
Nestled in the village of Monkton Combe near Bath, this peaceful base is located directly on the Kennet & Avon Canal, offering a tranquil launch point for exploring the waterways of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Berkshire.
With routes that take in countryside, heritage towns, and one of the UK’s most iconic lock flights, Monkton Combe is a great choice for both first-time boaters and seasoned canal holidaymakers.
Routes & Destinations from Monkton Combe
Monkton Combe on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Brassknocker Basin in Somerset offers an amazing choice of destinations
Bath City Centre
Start on Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Bath City Centre and back
- 11 miles
- 12 locks
- 8 hours
On a short break you can cruise through the beautiful Bath Valley to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and back.
Bradford on Avon
3 Nights Start on Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Wiltshire
Route Details:
- 12 Miles
- 2 Locks
- 6 Hours Cruising
Key attractions along the route include: Dundas and Avoncliff aqueducts, historic Bradford on Avon with 14th century Tithe Barn, river walks and independent shops.
Hilperton
Start on Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Hilperton and back
- 14 miles
- 2 locks
- 8 hours
On a short break you can cruise through the Bath Valley and the historic market town of Bradford on Avon to Hilperton and back.
Foxhanger Wharf
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Caen Hill locks and back
- 30 miles
- 16 locks
- 16 hours
On a four-night mid-week break you can cruise through the Bath Valley and the Wiltshire countryside to the base of the awe-inspiring Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes and back.
Bristol
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Bristol Floating Harbour and back
- 45 miles
- 26 locks
- 21 hours
On a four-night break you can cruise the west through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath onto the Bristol Avon to Bristol Floating Harbour and back. Suitable for experienced boaters only.
Pewsey Wharf
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Pewsey and back
- 57 miles
- 74 locks
- 44 hours
On a week-long break you can cruise through the Bath Valley, up the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes and through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey and back.
Great Bedwyn
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Great Bedwyn and back
- 74 miles
- 102 locks
- 46 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Great Bedwyn and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest.
Hungerford
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Hungerford and back
- 84 miles
- 122 locks
- 55 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Hungerford and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest.
Newbury
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Newbury and back
- 102 miles
- 142 locks
- 66 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Newbury and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey, the Savernake Forest and Hungerford.
Reading
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Kennet & Avon Canal, Somerset
Route details:
Reading and back
- 142 miles
- 186 locks
- 92 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the countryside to Reading and the River Thames and back, passing through the Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the Vale of Pewsey, the Savernake Forest and Newbury.
Boats available at Monkton Combe
We offer a choice of four narrowboats at Monkton Combe Canal Boat Hire, ranging from boats for five to eight people.
Molly
This Premium 56ft Orchard Class narrowboat sleeps up to 5 people.
Blake
This Premium 60ft Explorer Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Onyx
This Premium 60ft Gem Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Damselfly
This Standard 62ft Trent II Class narrowboat sleeps up to 8 people.
How to find us
Our Monkton Combe canal boat hire base is at Brassknocker Basin, next to the Kennet & Avon Canal near Bath in Somerset.
Anglo Welsh & Bath Narrowboats, Brassknocker Basin, Bath, BA2 7JD
Tel 01225 447276
Discover Canal Boat Hire from Monkton Combe
If you’re looking for a quiet and scenic place to begin your journey, canal boat hire from Monkton Combe is ideal. Located just outside the city of Bath, this base gives you easy access to both cultural attractions and countryside cruising.
From here, you can:
- Cruise west into Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its Roman baths, Georgian crescents and vibrant city life.
- Travel east through Bradford on Avon, Avoncliff, and onward to Devizes, passing through beautiful stretches of canal and classic Wiltshire landscapes.
- Navigate the Caen Hill Locks, a major feat of canal engineering with 29 consecutive locks leading up to the historic town of Devizes.
Explore at Your Own Pace
- 🏛️ Visit Bath
Just a short cruise away, Bath offers a unique blend of Roman and Georgian heritage, boutique shopping and riverside dining — all easily accessible from the towpath. - 🌄 Cruise into the countryside
Enjoy a peaceful journey through Limpley Stoke Valley, Seend, and Pewsey, where you’ll find sleepy villages, open views, and wildlife along the canal. - ⚙️ Take on the Caen Hill flight
A highlight for many boaters, the lock staircase at Devizes is one of the most impressive on the British canal network — and a satisfying challenge for more confident crews. - 🍻 Stop at traditional canalside pubs
Take a break at well-loved stops like The Cross Guns at Avoncliff or The Barge Inn at Seend — perfect for lunch with a view.
Book Your Canal Boat Holiday from Monkton Combe
Whether you’re planning a short break or a longer journey across counties, Monkton Combe is a peaceful yet well-connected base for your next canal adventure. It’s the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Kennet & Avon Canal at a gentle pace.
Start your journey from Monkton Combe and discover the timeless beauty of the Kennet & Avon Canal through Somerset and Wiltshire.
Download a Brochure
Our brochure includes information on our boats, routes, destinations and prices. There are also tips for canal boat beginners, advice on what to pack and a list of our locations offering day boat hire.
FAQs
How do canal locks work?
A lock is a chamber with gates at either end. By emptying or filling the chamber with water, boats can move up or down a canal. With the lock gates closed, open the sluices (paddles) to let the water in or out. When the water level under your boat is the same as the level it’s moving to, you can move your boat in or out of the lock.
How long does it take to go through a lock?
It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to go through a lock.
Will my narrowboat have heating?
All our narrowboats have gas central heating with radiators throughout for cosy year-round canal boat holidays. Some of our boats also have a multi-fuel stove.
