Kennet & Avon Canal - 4 Day Narrowboat Holiday Guide

Route Summary

Total Distance: Approximately 26 miles (13 miles each way)

Total Locks: 12 locks (6 each direction)

Base: Bradford-on-Avon

Turning Point: Foxhangers (BEFORE Caen Hill Locks)

Difficulty: Perfect for beginners - wide locks with volunteer assistance available

⚠️ IMPORTANT NAVIGATION NOTE:
Do NOT attempt to navigate the Caen Hill Lock flight (29 locks). Your turning point is at Foxhangers, which is at the BOTTOM of the flight. You can view these impressive locks from below and even walk up alongside them, but boat navigation ends at Foxhangers for this trip.

MAP RESOURCE
Download the official K&A Canal map from:
Canal & River Trust website (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
Search for "Kennet and Avon Canal Map"
Focus on Section: Bradford-on-Avon to Foxhangers (NOT Devizes Wharf)

Boat Hire Information

Recommended: Anglo Welsh Waterways Holidays

Location: Bradford-on-Avon Marina, Trowbridge Road, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1UD

Phone: 0117 304 1122

Why Choose: Excellent beginner training (1.5-2 hours), newer boats, superior customer service

Booking Period: Book by March/April for June dates

Typical 4-Day Rate: £800-£1,200 depending on boat size (June 2024 prices)

💡 First-Timer Tip: When booking, specifically mention you're complete beginners and would appreciate extra handover time. Anglo Welsh is known for accommodating this without rushing.

4-Day Itinerary

DAY 1: Bradford-on-Avon to Hilperton

Distance: 4 miles | Locks: 2 | Cruising Time: 2-3 hours

Morning

9:00 AM - Arrive at Anglo Welsh base
9:30 AM - Boat handover and training
11:30 AM - Depart Bradford-on-Avon

Route Highlights

Bradford Lock (Lock 14) - Your first lock, often has volunteers
Beautiful stone aqueduct views
Hilperton Marina - Full facilities, water point, pump out

Evening Mooring

Recommended Spot: Hilperton Marina visitor moorings or just beyond at Hilperton village

Dining Options

The King's Arms, Hilperton - 5-minute walk from canal
Traditional pub, excellent fish & chips, booking advised: 01225 760333

The Lion and Fiddle, Hilperton - 8-minute walk
Gastropub, locally sourced menu, booking essential: 01225 752525

If Preferring Hotels

Bradford-on-Avon (if staying before departure):
• The Swan Hotel - Luxury, riverside location - 01225 868686
• Woolley Grange Hotel - Country house, 10 min drive - 01225 864705

DAY 2: Hilperton to Seend Cleeve

Distance: 5 miles | Locks: 2 (Semington Locks) | Cruising Time: 3 hours

Morning

Leisurely breakfast on board
10:00 AM - Depart Hilperton

Route Highlights

Semington Locks (Locks 15-16) - Wide locks, usually volunteer-assisted
Junction with the remnants of the Wilts & Berks Canal
Beautiful rural Wiltshire countryside
Excellent kingfisher spotting between Semington and Seend

Lunch Option

Stop at Semington Bridge - The Lamb on the Strand (10-minute walk) for lunch

Afternoon/Evening Mooring

Destination: The Barge Inn, Seend Cleeve

Moor directly outside this famous canal-side pub (arrive by 3 PM for best spots)

Evening at The Barge Inn

The Barge Inn - Direct canal-side access
Historic pub, crop circle connections, good beer garden
Booking essential for dinner: 01380 828230
Note: Can get busy with both boaters and locals - book ahead!

DAY 3: Seend Cleeve to Foxhangers and Return to Sells Green

Distance: 8 miles total | Locks: 2 | Cruising Time: 4-5 hours including Foxhangers stop

Morning

9:00 AM - Depart Seend Cleeve
11:00 AM - Arrive Foxhangers Bridge (bottom of Caen Hill)

Foxhangers Stop (1-2 hours)

Mooring: Visitor moorings near Foxhangers Bridge
Turning Point: Use the winding hole (turning space) at Foxhangers - clearly marked
View the Caen Hill Locks: Walk up the towpath alongside the famous 29-lock flight (impressive photo opportunity!)
Lunch Option: The Black Horse pub at Lower Foxhangers (canalside)

💡 Optional Devizes Visit: If you want to see Devizes town, take a taxi from Foxhangers (£10-12, 10 minutes). Pre-book return taxi: V Cars 01380 813813

Afternoon Return

1:00 PM - Turn boat at Foxhangers winding hole
Begin leisurely return journey
3:30 PM - Arrive Sells Green for overnight mooring

Evening at Sells Green

The Three Magpies - 5-minute walk from canal
Excellent gastropub, smaller and quieter than Barge Inn
Booking advised: 01380 828389

⚠️ CRITICAL: Do NOT attempt to enter the Caen Hill Lock flight. The turning point at Foxhangers is clearly marked. These 29 locks require experience, take 5-6 hours, and need advance booking. Admire them from below!

DAY 4: Sells Green to Bradford-on-Avon

Distance: 6 miles | Locks: 4 | Cruising Time: 3-4 hours

Morning

Relaxed start - no rush today
9:30 AM - Depart Sells Green

Route Highlights

Morning light shows canal from new perspective
Optional coffee stop at Semington
Final passage through Bradford Lock

Arrival

1:00 PM - Arrive Bradford-on-Avon Marina
1:30 PM - Boat handover completed
Time for late lunch in Bradford-on-Avon before departure

Bradford-on-Avon Lunch Options

The Lock Inn Cafe - Right by the canal
Perfect for quick lunch with canal views

The Weaving Shed - 10-minute walk
Excellent vegetarian restaurant in converted mill

Understanding the Caen Hill Locks

What You'll See at Foxhangers:

The Caen Hill Lock flight is one of the wonders of the waterways - 29 locks rising 237 feet in just 2 miles. From Foxhangers, you can:

Look up at the impressive "staircase" of 16 locks in succession
Walk up the towpath alongside them (30-40 minute walk to the top)
Watch experienced boaters navigate them (summer weekends are busiest)
Take spectacular photos of this engineering marvel

Why Not Navigate Them: Even experienced boaters need 5-6 hours and advance booking. As beginners, viewing them from below gives you all the experience without the exhaustion!

Essential Information for June Cruising

What to Pack

Category	Items
Clothing	Layers (cool mornings 12-15°C, warm afternoons 20-25°C), waterproof jacket, long trousers for locks, comfortable walking shoes with grip
Sun Protection	High SPF sunscreen, sunhat, polarized sunglasses (essential for reading water/locks)
Evening	Insect repellent, torch/headlamp for evening walks to pubs
Boating	Windlass (provided but bring gloves for handling), rope-handling gloves
Comfort	Binoculars for wildlife, camera, books, picnic supplies

Lock Operation Tips

All locks on this route are wide locks (take 2 narrowboats)
Volunteer lock-keepers usually present June weekends (tip jar appreciated)
Allow 15-20 minutes per lock as beginners
Never rush - other boaters are always helpful
Keep windlass with you when leaving boat

Mooring Guidance

14-day visitor moorings are free
Avoid mooring near bridges, locks, water points, or winding holes
Use mooring pins in soft ground, rings where provided
Popular spots fill by 4-5 PM in June
Blue signs indicate visitor moorings

June-Specific Considerations

Daylight: Sunrise ~4:50 AM, Sunset ~9:30 PM - plenty of light!

Weather: Generally stable, occasional showers - June often best canal weather

Busy Periods: Quieter before June 22-25 (school holidays begin)

Wildlife: Peak time for kingfishers, herons, water voles - especially dawn/dusk

Vegetation: Towpaths can be overgrown - long trousers recommended

Emergency Contacts & Useful Numbers

Anglo Welsh Emergency: 07831 858022 (24/7 during hire)

Canal & River Trust: 0303 040 4040

NHS Non-Emergency: 111

Local Taxi (for Devizes visit from Foxhangers): V Cars - 01380 813813

Caen Hill Cafe (at top of locks): 01380 722851 (if walking up)

Budget Estimate (Per Couple)

Item	Estimated Cost
Boat Hire (4 days, 2-berth)	£800-1,000
Fuel (included in hire)	£0
Food & Dining (mix of pubs and self-catering)	£300-400
Parking at Marina	£20-30
Optional: Taxi to/from Devizes	£25 (return)
Optional Hotel Nights (if not sleeping aboard)	£100-150/night
Total (sleeping aboard)	£1,145-1,455

Final Tips for First-Time Narrowboaters

Golden Rule: Slow down! Canal time moves differently - embrace it
Wave at other boaters - it's traditional and friendly
Stop whenever something catches your eye - you have time
Bring a windlass inside overnight (they're expensive to replace)
Keep the boat tidy - space is limited
Fill water tank daily when you see water points
Download the Canal & River Trust app for real-time information
Many pubs serve food only until 9 PM - book tables in advance
The journey truly is the destination - don't rush to cover distance
Remember: Foxhangers is your turning point - do NOT enter Caen Hill Locks!

Have a Wonderful Journey!

The Kennet & Avon Canal's western section offers the perfect introduction to narrowboating.
Take your time, enjoy the wildlife, and let canal life slow you down.

Remember: The impressive Caen Hill Locks are for viewing, not navigating on this trip!

Document prepared for: 4-Day Narrowboat Holiday, June 2024

Route: Bradford-on-Avon to Foxhangers (Round Trip)

Maximum Navigation Point: Foxhangers Bridge (bottom of Caen Hill Locks)

Note: All times, prices, and phone numbers should be verified before travel. Pub opening times and food service may vary.