Kennet and Avon Walk

Location: Avon; Wiltshire; Berkshire

OS Maps: Explorer 154,155,156,157,158

Originally completed in 1810, the restored and re-opened Kennet and Avon Canal passes through a rich variety of walking country, home to an abundance of wildlife. Starting from the historic seaport of Bristol, the Kennet and Avon Canal passes through the Avon valley, and the richly fertile Vale of Pewsey, overlooked by the North Wessex Downs. Further east, the canal touches the fringes of the Savernake Forest, before making for the Berkshire Downlands and on to the Thames at Reading. Along the way, there are engineering marvels of the canal era such as the magnificent aquaducts at Dundas and Avoncliff, the Caen Hill 'staircase' of 16 locks, and Crofton Pumping Station, home of the oldest working steam engines in the world. Other points of interest include the delightful Sydney Gardens at Bath, the ornate landscaping of the canal at Wilcot Wide Water and a stretch of a more ancient earthwork, the Wansdyke. The main towns along the route are Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Devizes, Pewsey, Hungerford, and Thatcham. The walk is often described the other way round, starting at Reading.

Guide Book:

Exploring the Kennet and Avon Canal by Nigel Vile The 16 walks in this book, all based upon the Kennet and Avon Walk, reflect the variety of scenery, offering a towpath section and an exploration of the local towns and villages that have been influenced by the canal. The book will help the walker gain the maximum enjoyment from exploring the Kennet and Avon Canal and its beautiful surrounding countryside. [Click for further information or to purchase]