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Visit Bath for The Roman Baths and Pump Rooms, cruise to Bradford on Avon for its wealth of antique shops, travel over the River Avon on the Dundas Aqueduct.
Hilperton - One of the Uks largest villages in the county of Wiltshire and separated from Trowbridge by only a few fields the Kennett and Avon weaves through the village leading to spectacular scenery between the Thames and the River Avon at Bristol.
Bath - Visitors to Bath can take advantage of the many waterside walks from the gentle tow paths of the beautiful Kennett and Avon Canal to the banks of the River Avon Walk follow in the footsteps of the Romans at the Roman Baths marvel at The Royal Crescent one of Bath's best known landmarks.
Bristol - A vibrant 21st century city and a relaxing waterside destination most famous for the engineering feats of Isambard Kingdom Brunel no visit would be complete without a walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge marvel at the Floating Harbour one of England's most exciting arts and entertainment centres view SS Great Britain and spend hours of fun at the premier leisure destination At-Bristol.
Reading - Enjoy a stroll along the Thameside Promenade and admire the many swans that gather near Caversham Bridge or stroll along the towpaths of the River Thames and the Kennet & Avon Canal the town is famous for its association with the writer Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned at Reading (HM Prison) and after his release wrote 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' now famous for two annual music festivals the Reading Festival and WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) the town also has a number of arts centres with concert halls and galleries
Newbury - Situated on the River Kennett and the Kennett and Avon Canal and surrounded by the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the downland to the south rises providing views which include Watership Down, made famous in the novel by Richard Adams, the town centre contains many 17th century buildings and is well known for the racecourse and the adjoining former USAF airbase at Greenham Common. Newbury - Situated on the River Kennett and the Kennett and Avon Canal and surrounded by the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the downland to the south rises providing views which include Watership Down, made famous in the novel by Richard Adams, the town centre contains many 17th century buildings and is well known for the racecourse and the adjoining former USAF airbase at Greenham Common.
By Road : Located between Staverton and Hilperton Marsh, the marina is indicated by a narrowboat
symbol on a local brown tourist road sign. Exit the M4 at junction 17, and take the A350 (Chippenham) to Melksham. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit - Holt B3107.
Turn left immediately after the Toll Gate pub (Staverton / Hilperton / Trowbridge).
From Staverton, follow the brown local road signs. Hilperton Marina, Hammond Way is at the junction of the B3105 and B3106. Check in at the glass walled building on stilts, at the side of the canal.
By Rail: The nearest rail station is Trowbridge, where we are just a short taxi ride away. Trowbridge rail station can be reached from London Waterloo, or Bath.
For information about train timetables and ticket costs, for all mainline rail transport please go to www.thetrainline.com.
By Air : From London airports: Make your way via the London Underground, bus or taxi to London Waterloo station. From there take a train to Trowbridge as above. From Bristol: Take a taxi to the marina (about 45 minutes).
Bath & Return | Bristol & Return | Bradford on Avon (Caen Hill Locks) | Devizes & Return | Hungerford & Return | Newbury & Return | Reading & Return
Bath & Return
3/4 nights, 12 hours, 14 locks
Bath has been designated a 'World Heritage City' with a history stretching back to the Roman Baths after which it is named and that can still be visited today. Moorings are available very close to the city centre and Bath is, without doubt, worthy of at least a couple of days of exploration. www.bath.co.uk
• The medieval town of Bradford on Avon, just an hour from Hilperton, offers a very pleasant stopping point. Weavers' cottages cling to the side of the Avon valley, looking down across the old mills to the 'Broad Ford' on the river that gave the town its name.
• The splendid Dundas and Avoncliff Aqueducts both take the canal over the River Avon as it follows the river alley between Bradford and Bath.
• Claverton's pumping station (www.claverton.org) and American Museum (01225 460503 / www.americanmuseum.org) may be incongruent with each other but certainly offer to satisfy differing interests!
• Bath City and the spectacular Pulteney Weir and Bridge.
Bristol & Return
7 nights, 25 hours, 28 locks
25 hours cruising would elsewhere be considered little more than a short break, but here the route includes Bradford on Avon, Bath, Bristol and, unusually, many more towns and villages that the canal passes through the centre of. Having followed the route of the River Avon by canal, after Bath the navigation uses the River itself, reverting to canal to divert into Bristol city centre.
• Some stunning weirs accompany each river lock down to Bristol.
• Museums and waterside features reflect the city's former importance as a sea port.
• Visitor moorings are available right in the centre of the city in the floating harbour (mooring charge applies) www.visitbristol.co.uk.
• Frequent reminders of the route's industrial history such as the brass mill at Kelston are found within rolling valley countryside.
Bradford On Avon / Bottom Of Caen & Return
3 nights, 9 hours, 14 locks
For an easy weekend to combine cruising and exploring, spend a day in Bradford on Avon and another cruising to the base of the Devizes flight. Perhaps use this as a 'taster' weekend to take a look at the impressive rise to Devizes, incorporating the notable Caen Hill Locks.
Devizes & Return
4 nights, 18 hours, 72 locks
The Devizes flight consists of 29 wide beam locks, rising by 237 feet over just two miles. The flight opens at 8am each day and navigation must start no later that 2pm to ensure that ascent or descent is completed by dark.
• Devizes visitor centre (01380 729408) has information about the town's medieval history.
• Reward yourself after the strenuous rise studying the local history of Wadworth & Co www.wadworth.co.uk who still make local deliveries with a shire horse team!
• The Canal Visitor Centre at The Wharf, Devizes 01380 721279 / www.katrust.org
Hungerford & Return
1 week, 42 hours, 120 locks
Beyond Pewsey and through further lush Wiltshire countryside, the highest point of the Kennet & Avon is marked by the 502 yard Bruce Tunnel.
The canal then follows close alongside the Great Western main railway line through the Bedwyns - Great & Little - and down to Hungerford.
Pass by Savernake Forest, an ancient woodland mentioned in the Doomsday book.
Newbury & Return
10/11 nights, 52 hours, 140 locks
Beyond Hungerford the canal shares the valley with both the railway and the River Kennet, beginning to use the river course as the navigation.
• The Kennet & Avon Canal is so central to Newbury that the main shopping street passes directly over it.
Tourist Information 01635 30267
• Take a day out at the races and visit Newbury Race Course 01635 40015 www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Reading & Return
2 weeks, 76 hours, 186 locks
Continuing its picturesque course virtually the entire way to Reading, the number and varity of towns and villages that are visited will give full entertainment for a fortnight return cruise.
I'd like to say a big 'thank you' to the staff at Union Wharf for the great service afforded us last weekend. We had a warm welcome and received explanations about the process for loading the boat, the tuition and how your system works, including how things worked on board. We were very pleased with the boat - good condition, clean, tidy and very well equipped. The tuition and information we received was straightforward and well-delivered, which helped us to enjoy a very lovely weekend - thank you. I would certainly recommend you in the future. Sue Bridgehouse