Kingswood Circle
A walk that will almost guarantee passing boats at all times of year as this is central to many holiday routes. It contrasts beautifully the busy winding Stratford-upon-Avon Canal with the more functional Grand Union Canal, and includes the very short arm built to link the two, which was reinstated in 1996.
From the car park, turn left up the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. For the next half, the canal climbs the busy Lapworth lock flight. After a mile, leave the canal at Bridge 31, cross the road and take the turn to Packwood House. Take the next right turn towards Baddesley Clinton, passing the Punchbowl pub and go over the railway, before reaching bridge 66 over the Grand Union Canal. Drop down onto the canal and turn right.
Follow the Grand Union Canal towpath south under bridge 65, past the canalside Navigation Pub and over the footbridge across the link to Kingswood, then on under bridge 64. At bridge 63, go under the bridge, leave the towpath up to the road and turn left. To your right is a pub, The Wood. Walk down the lane under the railway bridge and, after half a mile, re-join the Stratford-on-Avon Canal at Dick's Lane Bridge. Turn right past lock 25. Continue up the canal to Kingswood Junction. The unusual cantilivered, split cast iron bridges along this stretch are a particular feature of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.
When you reach Kingswood Junction, there is a wide expanse of water above lock 22, where the restored link from the Grand Union Canal enters beside the barrel roofed cottage, a typical Stratford Canal building. Alongside lock 21 is the Canal & River Trust yard and above is another wide sheet of water with the alternative connection to the Grand Union Canal.
A shorter walk would be to leave the Grand Union Canal shortly after the Navigation Pub by the footbridge over the link, and follow this short length of canal back into Kingswood Junction.
Parking Info
Car park at Kingswood
Distance
3.73 miles / 6 Kilometers
