Connecting Gloucester to Sharpness in the Wales & South West region, it allows boats to bypass a treacherous stretch of the River Severn. The tidal parts of the river are alive with wildlife, especially coastal birds. At Slimbridge, the headquarters of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, vast flocks of thousands of migrant birds visit each winter.
The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest in the world. Even today, it stands out from other navigations because of its sheer scale and impressive engineering. You'll find immense swing-bridges and ornate bridge-keepers' houses along its route, which add to its unique identity.
Over at Gloucester Docks, you can get a real sense of the canal's cargo-carrying heritage. Listed warehouses have been converted into shops and leisure facilities, and the marina is still busy with boats. The National Waterways Museum Gloucester tells the story of the canal and has a fascinating collection of historic boats.
