River and canal around Saul Junction
Route facts
Waterways:
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal »
River Severn »
Stroudwater Navigation »
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
Duration: Four hours (plus pub break)
Difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: Everyone
Circular route from: Saul Junction car park
A walk that will be dramatically different depending on when you walk. A gentle summer stroll by the river Severn with butterflies and birds around or a dramatic winter walk with calling migrant sea birds on the salt mud. Plus a look at two canals.
The tidal River Severn is a peerless wildlife haven - indeed, the pioneering Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre is not far from this walk. The walk also has much of historical interest, including the Stroudwater Navigation - now under restoration - and the idiosyncratic Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, a ship canal with very distinctive architecture.
Waypoints
1. Saul Junction car park
From the car park at Saul Junction cross over the remains of the Stroudwater canal with the lock into the Gloucester and Sharpness to your right, and turn left beside the river Frome. Follow the flood bank of the river until the path picks up the course of the canal. With the canal now in water follow the towpath past the Ship Inn and to the river Severn by the pretty Church of St. Peter's in Upper Framilode.
2. River Severn, Framilode
Turn left along the river path, the Severn Way, this then becomes a metalled road through the hamlet of Framilode. Past Pridding Farm and Pridding House the road bears left, but the river path carries straight on. Following the Severn Way the path jinks about as it deals with the flood prevention measures. The views are ever changing as the state of the tide alters the amount of water beside you and the seasons bring a huge variety of water birds to this area.
3. Passage Inn
Halfway round your walk a welcome respite appears. The old Passage Inn is on the banks of the Severn offering liquid refreshment from 12 till 3. It does have a very good menu for food but you would need to plan ahead as it is necessary to book for a meal, and there are plenty of seats overlooking the river. Leaving the Inn the Severn Way continues to follow the river, crosses the small stream that flows south from Arlingham and reaches Hock Cliff.
4. Hock Cliff
Here the path is more what you would expect from a coastal path with steep cliffs down into the water. Shortly after here the path, still signed the Severn Way, leaves the waterside heading slightly inland and to a left turn by the elegant Saul Lodge. Go down this track to a road. Here turn right to the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal by Fretherne Bridge and left before the bridge. You will most probably see it being swung as the canal is quite well used.
5. Fretherne Bridge
Carry on along the towpath for the final mile passing Sandfield bridge along the way and you will be back at Saul Junction. If you have some time in hand, this area rewards a bit of exploration - you could walk east along the historic course of the Stroudwater Navigation and see the restoration work underway.
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