The Kennet & Avon Canal crosses the country from Reading to Bristol. Passing and running through towns and villages such as Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon and Bath. Boats, locks, aqueducts, landscape and views with a level towpath to walk and cycle.
The stretch from Devizes to the River Thames at Reading is well known amongst many canoeists as it forms the first part of the internationally renowned Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. (www.dwrace.org)
These trails can be undertaken as a straight A to B paddle but will involve a car shuffle or can be done as a circular route.
Crofton Beam Engines Pumping Station Crofton, Marlborough, Wiltshire to Hungerford, Berkshire
Type of trail: River
Region: Southern Region (Berkshire)
Maps covering the area: The Geoprojects map of the R.Thames and O/S Map 175 covers the whole trip.
Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility :There are some 14 portages so it is suggested that is it not wholly suitable who has walking problems.
Ease of access to the water: Easy
Portages: There are some 14 locks which need to be portaged and some require climbing out of your craft on to grassy and, sometimes, slippery banks. However, many of the egress points are on newly placed mooring and portage points. The portages are always in the tow path side of the canal.
Licences: If you are a member of Canoe England your membership covers the canal licence needed. If you are not a member then licences can be obtained from
http://www.waterscape.com/
Suggested duration: half day
Approximate distance: 6 miles
General Information:
Check before you paddle to see whether the Beam Engines are in steam as if they are a visit there will be an additional delight to your paddle.
http://www.croftonbeamengines.org/intro.html
This is the highest point on the canal and the trail goes east down towards Hungerford in Berkshire.
There is parking is at Crofton Beam Engine Pumping Station (pay machine) or on grass verge of road beside lock 59. There are many places where you can stop and picnic on the tow path on route.
Put-in just below lock 59. Gated access for unloading is beside bridge 101 over canal beside lock 60. Paddle down stream past Crofton Pumping Station (and generally downwind) along delightful countryside through Great and Little Bedwyn.
You will get some delightful view of the countryside and wildlife. You may also meet a few narrowboats as they are very popular on this canal.
Continue past Froxfield onto into Hungerford. Juts before you get to Hungerford lock there is a very low footbridge near the church. Some people are able to “limbo” in their boat underneath it (kayaks only!!) but it is possible portage around it on the right hand side.
After this bridge you will see the Hungerford Lock and this is your destination. You may wish to put back in after the lock 74 and paddle slightly further to get out on the left grassy public bank just before bridge (84);
It is easy to load canoes here but please be very discrete when changing at it is in front of private houses and there may well be many other member of the public around as it is a popular area.
There is a public car park with toilet next to the library further up the High Street close to this bridge. There is a lovely tea shop on the opposite bank where meals and teas can fill the hungry canoeist!!