Kennet & Avon Canal
The 87 mile-long Kennet & Avon Canal passes spectacular scenery between the River Thames and the Bristol Avon. Rolling landscapes surround the World Heritage Site of Bath.
England's most southerly cross-country broad-beam canal links London and the Bristol Channel. The route of the Kennet & Avon takes it through some of the nation's best loved landscapes, including West Berkshire - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and the southern tip of the rolling Cotswolds.
The Caen Hill Flight, Avoncliff Aqueduct, Claverton Pumping Station and the historic city of Bath are just some of the canal’s many highlights. The canal is also home to a wide range of activities. From cycling and walking to wildlife watching, boat trips, museums and tearooms, there’s much to explore. You can find out more about the what to see and do on the Kennet & Avon Canal at www.enjoykanda.co.uk.
The Kennet & Avon Canal attracts huge numbers of visitors each year, although it hasn’t always been such a popular place to visit. In the 1960s it fell into disrepair and wasn’t fully open to boats. It now owes its existence to the dedication of waterway enthusiasts and local people who formed the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and helped to restore the canal to its former glory. In 1990 the Queen reopened the canal it’s now enjoying a second renaissance.
Listen to the hidden secrets of the Kennet & Avon Canal with our new audio trail.
Download our free guide to Bath and the surrounding area
Find stoppages, restrictions and other navigational advice for this waterway.
Passionate about the Kennet & Avon Canal?
Show support for your local canal by donating to one of our important appeals. You could help transform the towpaths around Bath, house a hedgehog along the Kennet & Avon Canal or plant a community orchard at Caen Hill.
