Saul Junction to Patch Bridge Walk

With good carparks and facilities at both ends, this delightful three and a half mile walk can be done in either direction. In keeping with the other walks in the series this written as a continuation towards Sharpness from Saul Junction. Please note that there is no reliable bus service that serves either Saul Junction or Patch Bridge, but it should be possible to get a taxi back to the start if you decide not to walk back to your car. As well as beautiful scenery, this walk offers historical interest and maintains a very rural feel throughout.  

Whilst the towpath is a good solid track, it continues to be rough and muddy in places, so is no longer so accessible or easy to cycle. Note the best carparking at Patch Bridge is a short walk south of the bridge itself in Slimbridge Car Park.

Canal: Gloucester to Sharpness

Start: Sandfield Bridge, Church Lane, Frampton on Severn, Gloucester GL2 7LA Grid ref: SO 7535 0900

Finish: Patch Swing Bridge, Newgrounds Lane, Gloucester, GL2 7BP Gride ref: SO7275 0425

Route instructions

1. The walk starts from Sandfield Bridge. The nearest carpark is just north of the bridge beyond the Stables Café. 2. After less than half a mile you will see the old Cadburys factory on the far bank. This was opened in 1916 and here local milk was combined with ground cocoa beans and sugar to form raw chocolate known as Crumb. The Crumb was sent by barge to Cadburys factory in Bournville near Birmingham.

3. After Cadbury’s factory you will come to Fretherne Bridge. Be careful crossing the road here as it is one of the busiest roads crossing the canal.

4. Just beyond Fretherne Bridge you will see Saul Lodge on your right. This was built by John Upton the clerk to the Canal Company (a very senior position). However, shortly after he built this house, he was dismissed for several construction issues on the canal. The house was bought by the canal company and later became home to William Clegram, the Engineer & Superintendent of the canal for the first thirty years of its operation.

5. The walk now takes you along a beautiful stretch of the towpath with far reaching views across to the River Severn and the Forest of Dean beyond.

6. About one mile from Saul Lodge you pass the pretty Frampton Church on the far bank, just before you get to Splatt Bridge. This bridge was important as it not only lead to the agricultural land between the canal and the river, but also was the access for Frampton Pill which was used by small trading vessels bringing coal to Frampton and taking away locally made bricks.

7. A short distance beyond Splatt Bridge you come to a sign for the National Cycle Route Network showing distances to Gloucester and Bristol Cathedrals. At this point the towpath is quite rough, so not suitable for road bikes, but quite possible for mountain bikes.

8. About one mile after Splatt Bridge you will notice a single house on the opposite bank alongside an offshoot of the canal. At this point the river Cam was made navigable by raising the banks to enable barges to reach a basin and wharf at Cambridge on the A38. This stretch of the river Cam is known as the Cambridge Arm.

9. A short distance beyond the Cambridge Arm you will come to Cambridge Arms bridge.

10. Our walk ends at Patch Bridge. Turn left to cross the bridge to the Black Shed Café or The Tudor Arms pub for a choice of refreshments. Slimbridge Carpark is just a two minute walk down the road.