Kennet & Avon Short Break

BATH & DEVIZES

Locks: 16 (total)

Cruising Time: 36 hrs | 3 or 4 night short break

How to Book: Choose the Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire and either the weekend or midweek option under Length of Holiday.

Bath is one of the most famous cities in England, well known for it’s Roman heritage and in particular the spa baths. You can spend a fascinating day walking round the relatively small city centre, admiring the architecture and enjoying the many attractions, pubs and restaurants.

44 Miles | 16 Locks | Short Break cruise | 36 hours

To start your canal boat holiday to Bath, you’ll head west on the Kennet & Avon Canal from our base at Bradford-on-Avon.

It’s beautiful countryside in this part of the countryside, mixed with a fair amount of historical sites. Not far into your cruise, you’ll pass the impressive 14th century medieval Tithe Barn, this is worth a visit if you have time – perhaps before you start your canal boat holiday to Bath, if you arrive early to the base.

After around 30-45 minutes cruising you’ll come to the Avoncliffe Aqueduct, the first of the two aqueducts along the Kennet & Avon. The approach to the aqueduct is at a tricky 90 ̊angle, so approach slowly!

After cruising through some more beautiful countryside you’ll come to the second aqueduct, which is also at a 90 ̊angle. Cruising across the Dundas Aqueduct offers some stunning views of the River Avon and surrounding countryside.

Continuing on towards Bath on the Kennet & Avon Canal there are a couple of swing bridges to go through and the first locks you’ll come across are on the outskirts of the city of Bath.

If you wish to avoid the locks then you can moor up at Sydney Gardens, and enjoy a walk through this scenic part of town into the centre of the city itself.

The most famous site is of course the 2,000 year old Roman Baths, filled with ancient mystical artefacts and thermal water that still steams today. If you want to unwind and enjoy some pamper time, then book a session at the Thermae Bath Spa, the perfect way to relax in water and steam for a couple of hours.

When you’ve soaked up the history at the Baths, then head to the magnificent Royal Crescent, The Circus, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey and see all of those picture-perfect postcard attractions in Bath come to life.

After enjoying the sites of Bath, you’ll turn in a winding hole and head back the way you came until you’re back at the Bradford-on-Avon canal base.

You’ll then head east towards the town of Devizes. Once away from Bradford-on-Avon you’ll be back into beautiful countryside scenery of woodland and farmland, passing the rural villages of Stavington and Semington.

Pass through the swing bridge, two locks and another three swing bridges – swing bridges being somewhat of a feature along this stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal!

You are then going to hit a series of 36 locks, known as the Devizes locks, which includes the fantastic Caen Hill flight.

The Caen Hill has 29 locks in quick succession and looks very impressive. If you fancy a break and a photo opportunity at the top of this flight then you’ll find a cafe located at the top!

You can turn the boat just after Devizes Town bridge 141 and moor up near here to walk into town.

Devizes itself is well worth taking some time to visit. An old market town, it was developed around an 11th century castle. Visit the Devizes museum to see one of the finest prehistoric collections in Europe including the Stourhead collection of relics excavated from burial mounds on Salisbury Plain, plus there is a visitor centre which is is home to an interactive exhibition introducing visitors to the medieval origins of the town.

To return to base, you’ll need to cruise on past Devizes to turn in a winding hole just after bridge 136, and then make your way back down the flight of locks.

If you don’t wish to climb the Caen Hill flight you can moor up before Lock 22, Lower Foxhangers Lock and then walk up to Devizes. You can then turn at Foxhangers Marina and cruise back to the base at Bradford-upon-Avon.

Search holidays from BRADFORD-UPON-AVON / WILSTSHIRE to book your narrowboat cruise to Bath >>

Book our Bath and Devizes canal boat holiday from Bradford On Avon Base by using our online Availability Search, or by calling Black Prince on 01527 575 115.