Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Very Relaxed route: Pewsey and Return - 21 miles, 0 locks, 7.5 hours total
A relaxed route with plenty of time to explore villages and places of interests along the way. Start your journey by departing the market town of Devizes heading east, the canal meanders along the open fields, following the contours of the land. There is a waterfront pub by the bridge or you can walk Bishops Canning, which features a pub as well as the grade I listed Church of England parish church of St Mary. Enjoy relaxed cruising through the valleys surrounded by rolling fields to Honeystreet. A traditional canalside village, which is worth stretching your legs to explore. You can walk to Alton Barnes village, (approximately 30 minutes) to see one of the iconic White Horses on the hill here. Cruise past Woodborough Hill, Stowell Park and Wilcot village, which is full of charming thatched cottages, before arriving at Pewsey Wharf. There is a waterfront pub, and you can walk south to the town for some refreshment. Approximately 20 minutes' walk south of Pewsey you will come across Everleigh Road, which is said to be a good viewing point to see another of the iconic White Horses on the hill. Take your time cruising back to the wharf, spending your last evening exploring the market town of Devizes.
Relaxed route: Wootton Rivers and Return - 26 miles, 0 locks, 9 hours total
Follow the route above: passing open fields and exploring the small villages which are often hidden by landscape, before arriving at Bishops Cannning, where the tall spire of the church is visible from the waterway. The rolling landscape affects the flow of the canal as you approach Wilcot and then Pewsey Wharf. The attractive village of Wootton Rivers is just a short walk from Wootton Rivers Farm Bridge (No. 109) and is, a thatched village with a traditional pub and buildings dating back to the 16th Century, including an interesting church. You can turn just before the bottom lock, next to Wootton Rivers Farm Bridge, before turning around to make your return journey.
Intermediate route: Crofton Top Lock and Return - 34 miles, 8 locks, 13 hours total
Follow the scenic realaxed routes above, heading east along the charming Kennet & Avon Canal, past Bishops Canning, Honeystreet, Pewsey Wharf and Wootton Rivers; stopping for a while at each to have a wander about, a bite to eat or a drink. Continue east through 4 quite spaced out locks that you'll find just after Wootton Rivers. Pass the pretty Burbage Wharf before heading through the Bruce Tunnel, which is just under 420 m in length. Turn just before the first 'top' lock at Crofton and return to Devizes Wharf.
Active route: Great Bedwyn and Return - 39 miles, 28 locks, 19 hours total
Although Great Bedwyn is only 6.5 miles further along the Kennet & Avon Canal from Wootton Rivers, the additional of 14 locks each way make this a much more active route suited for midweek breaks.
Following the routes above, make your way through pretty hilly landscapes passing small traditional villages to Pewsey and Wootton Rivers. Upon arrival at the farm bridge, you will arrive at your first lock, there are 4 locks to complete here, leading to a small summit which hosts agricultural land. Burbage Wharf contains several red brick canal buildings, now converted into living spaces. Navigate through Bruce Tunnel (502yrds), to the north the Savernake Forest dominates the landscape until you reach the Crofton Flight of locks. Wilton Water flows south of the canal here to Wilton, where there is a pub, duck pond and windmill. Great Bedwyn is just a mile or so further along the canal, dispersed along the hillside and surrounded by woods. Walk north to the pubs, church and Bedwyn Stone Museum. You can turn by the wharf to make your journey back to Devizes.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Hungerford and Return - 49 miles, 48 locks, 28.5 hours total
Depart the market town of Devizes and cruise east through wooded scenery passing under large stone bridges. This stretch is very scenic, as the canal meanders past the small villages in this area. There are a few waterfront pubs but you might also wish to walk to the nearby villages for your evening meal. The canal skirts around Woodborough Hill and Pickled Hill, providing a great view over fields to the village beyond, passing Wide Water and cottages at Wilcot. Moor at Pewsey Wharf to walk into the town (approximately 1 mile from the canal) or there is a waterfront pub if you prefer. Enjoy the easy cruising to Wootton Rivers, which is a pretty village packed with timber-framed thatched houses. There are 4 locks between Wootton Rivers and Burbage Wharf, shortly followed by Bruce Tunnel (502 yrds). The locks become more frequent between Wilton and Hungerford as you pass through hilly landscapes. Great Bedwyn and Little Bedwyn are both a short walk from the waterway, and home to a few pubs. The spire is well in view as you follow the railway to Hungerford. Cruise over the River Dunn on an aqueduct passing water meadows and fields. The bridge by the 19th Century Church and stone warehouse is ideal for accessing the town before you turn around and make your return journey.
Intermediate route: Newbury and Return - 67 miles, 68 locks, 39 hours total
Follow the route above to Hungerford, taking the time to walk to the nearby Wiltshire villages set among the Vale of Pewsey. Enjoy the easy cruising to Wootton Rivers. There are 4 locks between Wootton Rivers and Burbage Wharf, shortly followed by Bruce Tunnel (502 yrds). The locks become more frequent between Wilton and Hungerford as you pass through hilly landscapes. Great Bedwyn and Little Bedwyn are both a short walk from the waterway, and home to a few pubs. The spire is well in view as you follow the railway to Hungerford. The bridge by the 19th Century Church and stone warehouse is ideal for accessing the town. Beyond Hungerford the canal shares the valley with both the railway and the River Kennet. Passing the attractive Common Portdown, to Kintbury which is a small village offering a few of pubs and a watermill. Cruise through wooded countryside, navigating 3 locks leading into Hamstead Park. A further 3 locks set in open countrside takes you to Newbury. The Kennet & Avon Canal is so central to Newbury that the main shopping street passes directly over it. Take a day out at the races and visit Newbury Race Course before returning to your boat and making your way back to the marina.
Active route: Aldermaston and Return - 82 miles, 88 locks, 50.5 hours total
Cruising east from the wharf, make your way through the picturesque Wiltshire countryside as described in the routes above - passing traditional thatched villages and market towns along the way. The cruise between Newbury and Aldermaston is quite rural, although you can walk to a pub at Thatcham. There is a steady amount of locks and swing bridges as you follow the canal east. Monkey Marsh Lock is one of the two remaining examples of a turf-sided lock and as a result has been listed by English Heritage as an ancient monument. Arriving at Aldermaston Wharf there is a lift bridge carring a road into the village - this cannot be opened after 4pm. There is a pub just by the wharf as well as a tea room.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Reading and Return - 105 miles, 110 locks, 65 hours total
A great 14 night break, cruising approximately 5 hours per day, allowing you to experience some of the very best countryside in the UK canal system.
Cruise through a variety of pretty Wiltshire towns and villages such as Great Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury as well as taking time to walk to the iconic White Horse chalk figures on the hill at Alton Barnes and Pewsey. This route has a great mix of lock free cruising from the boatyard to Wootton Rivers, as well as the Crofton Lock Flight. There are also a selection of Museums along this stretch including Blakes Lock Museum, Reading Museum and the Museum of English Rural Life. Once at the moorings in Reading, why not take the afternoon to do a spot of shopping at the Oracle Shopping Centre, or grab dinner in one of the many restaurants that Reading have to offer. You are not permitted to cruise onto the River Thames on the boats from Devizes Wharf, so turn at Blakes Lock to make your way back the boatyard.
