Bath Spa to Bradford-on-Avon
The Canal
The delightful Kennet and Avon
A Brief History
The Kennet Navigation was opened in 1723 and connects Reading with Bristol via the River Kennet, the Canal and
the River Avon. In 1846 the canal company submitted a bill to develop the London, Newbury and Bath Railway
along the line of the canal. The GWR took over from the canal company in 1852. In the 1950's some locks fell into a
dangerous condition and the canal was closed. The British Waterways Board took over the canal in 1963 and
restoration works during the 60's and 70's were undertaken. 2002 saw the completion of a six year £29m
restoration project.
The Walk
I feel quietly confident that you will enjoy every minute of this little amble through the Somerset and Wiltshire
countryside. The towpath is part of the national cycle route so you'll have be wary of the cyclists - not all of them
let you know they are behind you!.Leaving Bath station by the main entrance turn right and pass underneath the
station via the tunnel. Keep walking ahead and you'll see the footbridge that crosses over the River Avon, if you look
over to your left as you cross the bridge you will see where the canal branches off to the right from the river. You
can't really go wrong at the start, just follow the yellow towpath signs. It is quite a climb out of Bath but once you
reach the summit lock in does level out and becomes a lot easier on the calf muscles. There is the small Cleveland
House tunnel to walk through before you reach the summit which isn't lit but you can see right through it and is only
a short 75 yards long. No torch is required.
The railway line follows the canal for almost the entire route, as does the River Avon and, partly, the main A36 trunk
road. All three modes of transport share the same valley. Bathampton will be the first village you come to during the
walk which does offer the chance for refreshments. From here fine views across the valley can be seen together
with the occasional train. Claverton Pumping station can also be seen soon after Bathampton which was designed to
replace the canal water from the river Avon and was capable of pumping 100,000 gallons per hour.
Other highlights of the walk include the Dundas Aqueduct, just make sure you use the towpath on the right
otherwise you'll come to a dead end. There is a pub close by, details of how to get to it are given below. The
aqueduct crosses the Avon and the Railway. From here the walk takes you through the valley of Limpley Stoke with
Conkwall Wood to your left. There is another chance for refreshment at Limpley Stoke - details below. More
excellent scenery is the order of the day as the path continues down the valley.
The village of Freshford is away to your right just the other side of the railway, it's station can be seen in the
distance. Avoncliffe provides another example of excellent engineering as the canal, once again, crosses the Avon
and the Railway via it's aquduct. Avoncliffe railway station is actually accessed by steps that lead off the aqueduct.
Another pub is also situated here for your convenience.
Before entering Bradford-on-Avon you'll pass by, on your left, a 14th century Tithe Barn which is now part of the
Barton Farm Country Park. The walk comes to an end at bridge 172 next to the Canal Tavern public house. Turn
left off the canal and walk straight down the road for about 250 yds to find the railway station.
(Based on walk undertaken in May 2003 - Further revised June 2004)
The Pubs
The George, Mill Ln, Bathampton.(3.0 miles) 01225 429572. Situated at the canal side by bridge 183. An excellent,
but expensive, pub by the canal side. Three real ale's were available here. The pub was open at 11:00 during our last
visit. Food is available form 12:00 if required..
Bathampton Mill, Mill Ln, Bathampton.(3.0 miles) 01225 469758. Situated a couple of minutes walk from bridge
183 down the road from the George and cheaper!. Real Ale on tap.
Hop Pole, Limpley Stoke 01225 723134. (1.8 miles)Leave the 'path at bridge 175. Walk down the hill, cross over
the river and under the railway. Turn left after going under the railway bridge. The pub is on your right about 100
yds up the narrow lane. Some steps lead up to the beer garden opposite the site of the dis-used railway station. Four
real ale's were available here. Good food menu at reasonable prices. Last order for food is 14:00. Not open all day..
Rose & Crown, Limpley Stoke.(1.9miles) 01225 722237. A further three minute walk away ! Untried and tested.
The Inn, Freshford 01225 722250. Exit at bridge 174. Not sure where you go after that !!. Untried and tested.
Cross Guns, Avoncliffe. 01225 862335. (2.4 miles) Situated just off the canal. Cross the aqueduct, walk down the
slope and go under the aqueduct. The pub is situated alongside the river. Four real ale's were available here. B&B is
also a feature as is an extensive food menu. Looks like a very popular place indeed. Open all day.
Canal Tavern, by bridge 172, Bradford-on-Avon. (1.6 miles) 01225 867426. Untried and Tested.
Appears to be open all day.
Three Horse Shoe's, 55 Frome Rd, Bradford-on-Avon. 01225 865876. (1.6 miles)Just around the corner from the
railway station - in fact you'll pass it on the way to the station!. Real ale's available and appears to be open all day.
An excellent place to finish your day out.
Maps required
OS Landranger Series Maps 172 and 173. A town plan of Bath would be helpful as would a plan of
Bradford-on-Avon. Network Rail time tables can be found here.
Mileage
The mileage for this walk is approximately 11.8 miles
Great Escapes
A local bus service is available from Bathampton into Bath. The railway follows the canal for most of the way and
there are stations at Freshford and at Avoncliffe with an irregular service back to Bath. Both these stations are
request stops. Apart from that it's a taxi ride back or the use of the local bus services.
Gringo Rating
5/5
The Canal
The delightful Kennet and Avon
A Brief History
The Kennet Navigation was opened in 1723 and connects Reading with Bristol via the River Kennet, the Canal and
the River Avon. In 1846 the canal company submitted a bill to develop the London, Newbury and Bath Railway
along the line of the canal. The GWR took over from the canal company in 1852. In the 1950's some locks fell into a
dangerous condition and the canal was closed. The British Waterways Board took over the canal in 1963 and
restoration works during the 60's and 70's were undertaken. 2002 saw the completion of a six year £29m
restoration project.
The Walk
I feel quietly confident that you will enjoy every minute of this little amble through the Somerset and Wiltshire
countryside. The towpath is part of the national cycle route so you'll have be wary of the cyclists - not all of them
let you know they are behind you!.Leaving Bath station by the main entrance turn right and pass underneath the
station via the tunnel. Keep walking ahead and you'll see the footbridge that crosses over the River Avon, if you look
over to your left as you cross the bridge you will see where the canal branches off to the right from the river. You
can't really go wrong at the start, just follow the yellow towpath signs. It is quite a climb out of Bath but once you
reach the summit lock in does level out and becomes a lot easier on the calf muscles. There is the small Cleveland
House tunnel to walk through before you reach the summit which isn't lit but you can see right through it and is only
a short 75 yards long. No torch is required.
The railway line follows the canal for almost the entire route, as does the River Avon and, partly, the main A36 trunk
road. All three modes of transport share the same valley. Bathampton will be the first village you come to during the
walk which does offer the chance for refreshments. From here fine views across the valley can be seen together
with the occasional train. Claverton Pumping station can also be seen soon after Bathampton which was designed to
replace the canal water from the river Avon and was capable of pumping 100,000 gallons per hour.
Other highlights of the walk include the Dundas Aqueduct, just make sure you use the towpath on the right
otherwise you'll come to a dead end. There is a pub close by, details of how to get to it are given below. The
aqueduct crosses the Avon and the Railway. From here the walk takes you through the valley of Limpley Stoke with
Conkwall Wood to your left. There is another chance for refreshment at Limpley Stoke - details below. More
excellent scenery is the order of the day as the path continues down the valley.
The village of Freshford is away to your right just the other side of the railway, it's station can be seen in the
distance. Avoncliffe provides another example of excellent engineering as the canal, once again, crosses the Avon
and the Railway via it's aquduct. Avoncliffe railway station is actually accessed by steps that lead off the aqueduct.
Another pub is also situated here for your convenience.
Before entering Bradford-on-Avon you'll pass by, on your left, a 14th century Tithe Barn which is now part of the
Barton Farm Country Park. The walk comes to an end at bridge 172 next to the Canal Tavern public house. Turn
left off the canal and walk straight down the road for about 250 yds to find the railway station.
(Based on walk undertaken in May 2003 - Further revised June 2004)
The Pubs
The George, Mill Ln, Bathampton.(3.0 miles) 01225 429572. Situated at the canal side by bridge 183. An excellent,
but expensive, pub by the canal side. Three real ale's were available here. The pub was open at 11:00 during our last
visit. Food is available form 12:00 if required..
Bathampton Mill, Mill Ln, Bathampton.(3.0 miles) 01225 469758. Situated a couple of minutes walk from bridge
183 down the road from the George and cheaper!. Real Ale on tap.
Hop Pole, Limpley Stoke 01225 723134. (1.8 miles)Leave the 'path at bridge 175. Walk down the hill, cross over
the river and under the railway. Turn left after going under the railway bridge. The pub is on your right about 100
yds up the narrow lane. Some steps lead up to the beer garden opposite the site of the dis-used railway station. Four
real ale's were available here. Good food menu at reasonable prices. Last order for food is 14:00. Not open all day..
Rose & Crown, Limpley Stoke.(1.9miles) 01225 722237. A further three minute walk away ! Untried and tested.
The Inn, Freshford 01225 722250. Exit at bridge 174. Not sure where you go after that !!. Untried and tested.
Cross Guns, Avoncliffe. 01225 862335. (2.4 miles) Situated just off the canal. Cross the aqueduct, walk down the
slope and go under the aqueduct. The pub is situated alongside the river. Four real ale's were available here. B&B is
also a feature as is an extensive food menu. Looks like a very popular place indeed. Open all day.
Canal Tavern, by bridge 172, Bradford-on-Avon. (1.6 miles) 01225 867426. Untried and Tested.
Appears to be open all day.
Three Horse Shoe's, 55 Frome Rd, Bradford-on-Avon. 01225 865876. (1.6 miles)Just around the corner from the
railway station - in fact you'll pass it on the way to the station!. Real ale's available and appears to be open all day.
An excellent place to finish your day out.
Maps required
OS Landranger Series Maps 172 and 173. A town plan of Bath would be helpful as would a plan of
Bradford-on-Avon. Network Rail time tables can be found here.
Mileage
The mileage for this walk is approximately 11.8 miles
Great Escapes
A local bus service is available from Bathampton into Bath. The railway follows the canal for most of the way and
there are stations at Freshford and at Avoncliffe with an irregular service back to Bath. Both these stations are
request stops. Apart from that it's a taxi ride back or the use of the local bus services.
Gringo Rating
5/5
