Stretching across southern England, the Kennet and Avon Canal offers walkers 152km (94 miles) of scenic towpaths linking the historic towns of Reading and Bristol through gentle river valleys, chalk hills and rolling countryside. 

This iconic route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and Bristol’s vibrant Floating Harbour, offering walkers a unique blend of industrial heritage, waterways, nature, historic towns and rural landscapes.

The Kennet and Avon Canal from Cicerone is a comprehensive two-part walking guide to this classic route, combining the full canal path with a selection of shorter day walks that explore the best sections and surroundings. Whether you’re planning to walk the canal end-to-end or enjoy a series of rewarding excursions, this guide provides clear directions, practical insight and inspirational highlights for every stage and outing.

• Complete coverage of the 152km (94-mile) canal path from Reading to Bristol, described in seven manageable stages with step-by-step guidance for navigation along towpaths, locks, aqueducts and canal towns — ideal for long-distance walkers on a week-long break 
• Twenty circular day walks ranging from approximately 7 to 15km (4¼–9miles) that take in the canal’s most scenic and historic sections, perfect for half-day excursions and exploring nearby villages and countryside
• 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, downloadable GPX files and detailed route descriptions are included for every walk and canal stage, helping you walk with confidence whether you’re tackling the full route or a shorter outing
• Easy access points to the walks from towns and cities such as Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol, making planning logistics, accommodation, and transport simple
• Highlights of the route include Crofton Pumping Station, the remarkable Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the ornate aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas, and the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and Cotswolds National Landscape

From tranquil towpaths winding through riverside meadows to the engineering marvels of lock flights and aqueducts, the Kennet and Avon Canal invites walkers to immerse themselves in southern England’s scenery and heritage. 

With this guidebook, you can explore the canal at your own pace, enjoying hidden corners, historic towns, and the ever-changing landscapes along this classic inland waterway.

The Kennet and Avon Canal - Quick Facts

Guidebook name: The Kennet and Avon Canal
Location: Kennet and Avon Canal (from Reading to Bristol, including Bath and Devizes)
Number of walks: 20 circular day walks plus full canal path coverage in 7 stages
Distance: 7–15 km (4¼–9 miles) per day walk; full canal route 152 km (94 miles)
Typical duration: Day walks and 7 days for the full canal route
Terrain: Towpaths, locks, aqueducts, river valleys, chalk hills, rolling countryside, canal towns and villages
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, suitable for beginners, casual walkers and long-distance walkers
Highlights: Crofton Pumping Station, Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts, Bath, Bristol Floating Harbour, North Wessex Downs, Cotswolds National Landscape
Navigation: Straight-foward navigation; Step-by-step route descriptions with 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey maps and downloadable GPX files available
Facilities: Parking, accommodation, public transport, cafés and pubs along the canal route
Guidebook format: Pocket-sized and lightweight, easy to carry on day walks or multi-day treks
Best season: Year-round walking; spring to early autumn usually offers the best weather

Author Highlight

“This wonderful canal, which celebrated its bicentenary in 2010, forms a multi-faceted jewel for boaters, walkers and wildlife, as it weaves its way through a patchwork of countryside from the rolling chalk contours of the North Wessex Downs to the southern edge of the Cotswolds, passing vibrant towns and cities as well as picture-postcard villages with thatched cottages, ancient churches and cosy pubs.”

- Steve Davison, author of The Kennet and Avon Canal 

Map key
Overview map

Introduction
Brief history of the canal
Geology
Plants and wildlife
Where to stay
Getting to and around the canal
Food and drink
Walking the canal
Cycling the canal
Maps
Waymarking, access and rights of way
Protecting the countryside
Using this guide

Walking the canal from Reading to Bristol
Stage 1    Reading to Woolhampton
Stage 2    Woolhampton to Hungerford
Stage 3    Hungerford to Pewsey Wharf
Stage 4    Pewsey Wharf to Devizes
Stage 5    Devizes to Bradford-on-Avon
Stage 6    Bradford-on-Avon to Bath
Stage 7    Bath to Bristol

Between Reading and Hungerford
Walk 1    Reading – canal and river
Walk 2    Aldermaston – wharf and village
Walk 3    Greenham Common
Walk 4    Newbury and Donnington
Walk 5    Kintbury and Hamstead Marshall
Walk 6    Hungerford and Kintbury
Walk 7    Hungerford, Freeman’s Marsh and Standen Manor

Between Great Bedwyn and Devizes
Walk 8    Great Bedwyn, Crofton and Wilton
Walk 9    Wootton Rivers and Burbage
Walk 10    Pewsey Wharf, Martinsell Hill and Oare Hill
Walk 11    Wilcot and Woodborough
Walk 12    Honeystreet, Alton Priors, Alton Barnes and the Alton Barnes White Horse
Walk 13    All Cannings, the Wansdyke and Bishops Cannings
Walk 14    Devizes, Caen Hill and Rowde

Between Seend and Bristol
Walk 15    Seend and Seend Cleeve
Walk 16    Bradford-on-Avon, Avoncliff and Lower Westwood
Walk 17    Avoncliff, Freshford, Monkton Combe and Dundas
Walk 18    Dundas Aqueduct, Monkton Farleigh, Brown’s Folly, Bathford and Bathampton
Walk 19    Bathampton, Sham Castle and Bath
Walk 20    Saltford, Swineford, North Stoke and the Cotswold Way

Appendix A    Route summary tables
Appendix B    Itinerary planner
Appendix C    Accommodation near the route
Appendix D    Useful contacts
Appendix E    Further reading
 

Seasons

The canal and walks can be undertaken at any time: summers tend to be fairly dry and mild, spring and autumn offer some of the best walking conditions. In winter some paths can be quite muddy and some routes may be impassable if rivers become flooded - however, walking alongside the canal on a clear, frosty winter's day can be a magical experience.

Centres

Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol

Difficulty

Fairly easy walking on mostly good paths and tracks through fairly low-level terrain (below 286m above sea level). The stages on the canal walk range in length from 15.5 to 29.7 km (9¾ to 18½ miles); however, these can be easily split into shorter stages if required. The circular walks range from 6.8 to 14.5 km (4¼ to 9 miles) and include several, sometimes steep, ascents and descents, however, they should be suitable for most walkers.

Must See

Numerous fascinating features along the canal, such as Crofton Pumping Station, the impressive Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas; picturesque towns and villages, with pubs, ancient churches; Georgian splendour at Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, vibrant Bristol and its Floating Harbour; the canal travels through an interesting, gentle landscape, ranging from the rolling chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs AONB in the east to the limestone country in the west, touching on the southern edge of the Cotswolds AONB.

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