UK Canal Boating

Day 1

Pass Hilperton Wharf on your right and the marina on your left, then you know you are going in the right direction to Devizes!
The canal sweeps through undulating woodland and arable farmland past the rural village of Semington through a series of swing bridges which are something of a hallmark of this section of canal.
There are 2 locks at Semington and a swing bridge, it is a very pretty village & best access is just before the lock.

Moor up here for the night it is 1 hour cruising from the marina.

Day 2

36 locks today which includes the fantastic Caen Hill flight of 29 locks in just 2.25 miles.

As well as the many swing bridges around Seend there are 5 locks to navigate, luckily there are plentiful moorings at the ever-popular Seend Cleeve and close by pubs and quiet countryside to please the eye and fill the stomach. There is the Brewery Inn 200 yds south of Lock 19 and the Barge Inn by Lock 19. The Three magpies pub in Seend Cleeve has good quality food, nice beer garden and good ales- it is 200 yds south of Sells green bridge.

The hills to the south climb steeply up to the village of Seend and to the north flat pasture land stretches away.

At Lower Foxhangers the first of 7 locks is reached which takes you to the bottom of the flight of 16 Caen Locks.
It is worth mooring up near here & take some photos of these fantastic locks as they really are quite a sight.
At the top of the locks is a cafe if you are in need of refreshment after the climb up the hill through the locks.

You can turn the boat just after Devizes Town bridge 141 and moor up near here to visit the town.
It is 9.5 hours cruising to here.

Devizes itself has the atmosphere of an old country market town. Handsome 18th century buildings now surround the square.
Devizes museum has one of the finest prehistoric collections in Europe including the Stourhead collection of relics excavated from burial mounds on Salisbury Plain.
Devizes visitor centre is home to an interactive exhibition introducing visitors to the medieval origins of the town.

Wharf Theatre is canalside and hosts a variety of performances throughout the year.
There are the usual pubs, restaurants, take-aways. Shops and a cinema in the town.

The battle of Roundway was fought near here in 1643 between the Roundheads and the Royalists and the Roundheads were all killed or captures. The battlefield is largely intact & can be explored on foot.

Day 3

Cruise back down the Caen locks & moor up by Sells green bridge 149, the Three magpies pub is just up the lane by the bridge, past the campsite.
It is 6 hours cruising to here

Day 4
Day 5
Take a leisurely cruise back to the marina
Its is 4.5 hours back

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.