- home ›
- things to do ›
- walking ›
- routes ›
- cotswold canals at daneway
Cotswold Canals at Daneway
Route facts
Waterways:
Thames & Severn Canal »
Distance: 9.94 miles / 16 km
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Starts at: Daneway
Ends at: Chalford
The Cotswold Canals are now being restored to navigation, but you can already enjoy parts of these astonishingly scenic waterways from the towpath.
The Thames & Severn Canal and Stroudwater Navigation together formed the waterway link between England's two greatest rivers - the Thames and the Severn. The canals wind through beautiful Cotswold scenery, and pass through one of the longest canal tunnels at Sapperton.
Through navigation ceased in the 1920s, but plans are well advanced to restore the canals for boaters and walkers. Several sections can already be walked, including this beautiful stretch through the Golden Valley.
Our walk starts at the Daneway Inn, near the western portal of Sapperton Tunnel. This is well hidden in deepest Gloucestershire countryside, so keep a close eye on the signposts as you drive to the inn.
- Take the A419, which runs from Cirencester to Stroud. Around five miles west of Cirencester, take the minor road to the north, signposted Sapperton.
- Follow signs for Daneway.
There is some roadside parking - be careful not to obstruct local people's access. Alternatively, if you are visiting the excellent pub, you may park in their car park. This was actually built on the site of one of the derelict locks. The pub serves good, affordable food, plus real ales and real cider for the non-drivers.
Walk past the pub along the canal towpath. After a quarter of a mile, you will come to the Daneway Portal of Sapperton Tunnel - the longest 14ft-wide canal tunnel in Britain. The tunnel was partly built through the notoriously unstable Fuller's Earth clay, and has partly collapsed halfway through. However, the portals have been fully restored to the architectural showpieces they once were.
Turn back and return to the pub. Cross the road and follow the path down to the canal.
For the next five miles, the canal slowly descends through the idyllic Golden Valley. The locks are all derelict, but their chambers still stand. The canal returns to water further down the valley, and several of the original bridges still survive. There is a nature reserve towards the foot of the valley, where you may be lucky enough to see an otter enjoying the canalside habitat (small entrance fee).
You may turn back and retrace your steps at any time, but we would recommend that you continue to Chalford, the first village on the western side of Sapperton Tunnel. Chalford clings to the side of the hill in an almost Alpine setting: there are good pubs here and a village shop.
Cross the A419 road and follow the canal around the back of the old industrial buildings. You will soon see, on your left, one of the Thames & Severn Canal's unique round-houses. These charming little cottages were built by the canal company as accommodation for their lengthsmen - waterway caretakers, if you like. The Chalford Round-House has been attractively restored.
Return to the Daneway Inn along the towpath the way you came.
Getting there
Parking: There is some roadside parking at Daneway. If you are eating or drinking at the Daneway Inn, you may use their car park, which is built on the canal line.
