Grand Western Canal Walk 2
Route facts
Waterways:
Grand Western Canal »
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Circular route from: Canal Basin car park, Tiverton
The route begins at the Canal Basin car park, where the great dream of a Grand Western Canal linking Bristol and Topsham near Exeter via Taunton, thus avoiding a long and dangerous sea journey around Lands End, began and ended. The section between Tiverton and Lowdwells was opened in 1814, with the only other section constructed, linking Lowdwells to Taunton, opening in 1834. Barges carrying coal and limestone arrived at the Canal basin where some 14 kilns burnt their caroes into quick lime to be used on the heavy Devon soils. The barges were unoladed on the busy quay and loads shot down into the kilns below. The Canal prospered for a few years, however traffic on the waterway declined with the coming of the railways in the 1840’s. Today the Canal is a Country Park.
Waypoints
1. Canal Basin car park
Start at the Canal Basin Car Park and take the towpath eastwards past pleasant new houses, their gardens fringing the Canal banks. Wildlife abounds, including water-lilies which were once picked commercially. On the left, nestling in distant woods, can be seen Knightshayes Court, now a National Trust property. The fine house was designed by the architect William Burges and built for John Heathcoat-Amory, grandson of the renowned local inventor/industrialist John Heathcoat.
2. Tidcombe Bridge
After about half a mile, the Canal makes a wide sweep to enable barges to pass under the round-arched Tidcombe Bridge. Beyond the bridge, on your right hand side is the large white Georgian house, Tidcombe Hall. On this ancient site, possibly one of the oldest monastic sites in the area stood Tidcombe Rectory. It was here that the Countess of Devon was given licence to have mass said in the private chapel in 1424, and where Richard Newte was cruelly persecuted by Cromwell’s men. In some of the worst scenes of violence known to Tiverton, he and his family were driven out and the Rectory burnt down. Rebuilt after the Restoration it was home for the next century and a half to the great Newte family of rectors who gave their name to the steep hill to Cullompton which rises behind the Hall.
3. Manley Lane
Immediately after passing under the Bridge, leave the Canal and turn right into Manley Lane. After approximately 200 yards, turn left by the old railway bridge and join the old railway track. The much loved ‘Tivvy Bumper’ (Great Western Railway engine No. 1442) once ran along here. The coming of the railway however put the Canal out of business. The railway was then also made redundant during the Beeching cuts.
4. Old Railway Walk
Walk along the Old Railway Walk which runs roughly parallel to the Canal. Another ancient religious site is soon reached – a chapel to St. Anthony once stood in fields near Pool Anthony Farm, to your right. Soon afterwards the houses of Glebelands estate begin to appear on the left, and Pool Anthony Railway Bridge spans the walk. After a quarter of a mile at Tidcombe Lane Railway bridge, take the steps up to Tidcombe Lane where if you walk down hill, you will se on your right ancient Tidcombe Lane Fenz, a site of special scientific interest, bisected by Ailsa Brook. Retrace your steps back to Tidcombe Lane Railway bridge.
5. Canal Basin
You now have a choice of routes back to the Canal basin. Either return to the Railway Walk and continue along it until it runs into Old Road, opposite Tiverton Hotel. After approximately 100 yards turn left into Lewis Avenue. Keep straight ahead into Hermes Avenue and then return to the Canal basin by way of a narrow footpath on the right hand side. Alternatively, to return to the Canal basin via the Canal towpath, continue up Tidcombe Lane for approximately quarter of a mile until you reach Tidcombe Lane Bridge where there is an entrance to the Canal. Turn right onto the towpath and return to the Canal basin.
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