Hilperton...
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Select
a route using the colour coded links below
All
routes are covered in Pearson’s P8, Nicholson’s N7, Lockmaster
L20 or Geo G1
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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)
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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.
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The splendid Dundas and Avoncliff Aqueducts both take the
canal over the River Avon as it follows the river alley between
Bradford and Bath.
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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!
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Bath city and the spectacular Pulteney Weir and Bridge.
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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.
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Some stunning weirs accompany each river lock down to Bristol.
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Museums and waterside features reflect the city's former importance
as a sea port.
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Visitor moorings are available right in the centre of
the city in the floating harbour (mooring charge applies)
(www.visitbristol.co.uk).
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Frequent reminders of the route's industrial history such
as the brass mill at Kelston are found within rolling valley
countryside.
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Bradford
On Avon / Bottom Of Caen & Return |
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| 3
nights, 9 hours, 14 locks
For an easy weekend to combine cruising and exploring, spend
a day in Bradford 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.
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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.
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Devizes visitor centre (01380 729408)
has
information about the town's medieval history (www.devizes.org.uk).
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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!
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The Canal Visitor Centre at The Wharf, Devizes
(01380 721279 / www.katrust.org)
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Hungerford
& Return |
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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.
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Newbury & Return |
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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.
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The Kennet & Avon Canal is so central
to Newbury that the main shopping street passes directly over
it. (Tourist Information 01635 30267)
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Take a day out at the races and visit
Newbury Race Course
(01635 40015 / www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk)
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Reading
& Return |
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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.
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