Thames & Severn Way 1
Route facts
Waterways:
Stroudwater Navigation »
Distance: 8 miles / 13 km
Duration: Three/four hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: St Peter's Church, Framilode, Gloucestershire
Ends at: Wallbridge, Stroud, Gloucestershire
The Cotswold Canals traverse some of the most beautiful parts of the Cotswold countryside. A countryside of hills and valleys and flowing water, where the abundant mills once gave the area prime importance in the woollen industry, and indeed provided the necessity for the canals. A long distance footpath links the rivers Severn and Thames, following as closely as possible the towpath of the Stroudwater Canal and Thames & Severn Canal - the Thames & Severn Way.
The route begins at Framilode church on the banks of the River Severn, near the entrance to the Stroudwater Navigation, and ends at Halfpenny Bridge spanning the River Thames at Lechlade, just downstream from the end of the Thames & Severn Canal at Inglesham. Between them lie 36 miles of the most wonderful and contrasting scenery.
This first part of the route follows the Stroudwater Navigation from the Severn to Stroud. Leaving the River Severn's own long distance footpath (the Severn Way), the level farmland of the river gives way to the gentle rise in the land towards Stroud past mills, former railway lines, hanging woods and rushing water.
The walk is reproduced by kind permission of Richard Attwood and the Cotswold Canals Trust. It is split into four stages, each just under ten miles long.
[Thames_Severn_Way_1River_Severn_to_Wallbridge.html Stage 1]{tcm:4-277 global_arrow} | [Thames_Severn_Way_2Wallbridge_to_Sapperton.html Stage 2]{tcm:4-277 global_arrow} | [Thames_Severn_Way_3Sapperton_to_Cotswold_Water_Park.html Stage 3]{tcm:4-277 global_arrow} | [Thames_Severn_Way_4Cotswold_Water_Park_to_Lechlade.html Stage 4]{tcm:4-277 global_arrow}
Waypoints
1. St Peter's Church, Upper Framilode
The Thames & Severn Way begins on the bank of the River Severn at St Peter's Church, Upper Framilode overlooking the River Severn. The Severn Way passes by along the river bank on its journey south towards the Severn Estuary. Walk away from the river along the lane to the site of Framilode Bridge. To the left is the infilled entry basin from the River Severn which is best viewed from the far bank of the river on Rodley Sands. To the right is the towpath leading away from the River Severn past the Ship Inn.
2. Moor Street Bridge
Cross Moor Street Bridge and continue along the towpath. When the canal ends continue straight on with the River Frome on your left (walking along the river bank, not on top of the flood defence), climbing the various fences and stiles and passing the former canalside Drum & Monkey pub, which is now a private residence. The reed filled canal re-appears on the right as Saul Junction comes into view.
3. Saul Junction
At Saul Junction cross the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal using the pedestrian swing bridge, and walk past the colourful narrowboats moored on the Stroudwater Canal to reach Walk Bridge. Walk Bridge was once a swing bridge but was fixed after the canal was abandoned in 1954. Cross the lane and continue along the curving left bank of the Stroudwater Canal.
4. Whitminster Lock
Where the water ends is Whitminster Lock, which is being restored by the Cotswold Canals Trust. The restored lock will connect into the River Frome. Follow the right bank of the River Frome, past the copse and underneath the electricity lines, to the concrete farm bridge over the river. Cross over the bridge and walk along the track to re-join the towpath of the Stroudwater Canal just before the causeway which was Stonepits swing bridge. The causeway will be replaced by a high level fixed bridge. Follow the towpath eastward past Occupation Bridge, a recently restored humpback bridge.
5. A38 roundabout
Pass the Second World War pillbox and climb the fence to emerge on the roundabout of the A38 road. The canal was infilled for about one kilometre when the M5 was built. The restored canal is likely to pass under each half of the A38 roundabout, crossing the centre of the roundabout in a cutting. The canal will then head towards the River Frome bridge under the M5 motorway where it will share the bridge in a separate concrete channel. The new cut will rejoin the original line at Meadow Mill spillweir. The Thames & Severn Way temporarily leaves the line of the canal to pass the A38/M5 infilled section. Walk a few metres up the hill from the A38 roundabout and cross the dual carriageway at the bottom of Whitminster Hill. Follow the footpath eastward across the field. Walk along the lower side of the wood called 'The Grove', taking care not to disturb the beehives!
6. M5 motorway bridge
The path curves up the slope to the left and follows the motorway fence to the motorway bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the lane for half a kilometre to Westend. Take the field route heading south to cross the A419. Continue straight on to reach Westfield Bridge and the Stroudwater Canal.
7. Westfield Bridge
Westfield Bridge is temporarily a "bridge in a field" with Westfield Lock buried under the grass above the lock. In high summer the white strips of grass mark the walls of the main chamber. Follow the path eastward across the small concrete bridge over Oldbury Brook to the Meadow Mill spillweir.
8. Pike Lock road crossing
Follow the towpath past Dock Lock to the Pike Lock road crossing. Pike Lock Bridge was once an attractive Edwardian structure. Cross the road and change to the left hand side of the canal. The canal is now usable by small craft which use the slipway at Eastington Wharf. In the summer months the Canal Trust operates public boat trips from here. Continue on past the fully restored Blunder Lock and Newtown Lock to Newtown Roving Bridge.
9. Bonds Mill lift bridge
Cross over the bridge and continue on past the worlds first plastic lifting bridge at Bonds Mill. Follow the towpath through the railway embankment, past the Ocean, St Cyr's Church, and under Nutshell Bridge. Continue along the towpath, under the old Midland Railway skew bridge and then the new Haywards Bridge to Ryeford Bridge. Here the Thames & Severn Way shares the towpath with the Cotswold Way as far as the excellently restored Ebley Mill. The waterway remains wide and clear, thanks to dredging by the Canal Trust in the 1980s, and is much loved by anglers up to Ryeford Double Lock.
10. Ebley Mill
At the current time (2004), the canal - infilled until recently - is being restored past Ebley Mill. Soon after passing Ebley Mill, the canal picks up the flow of several small streams into the River Frome. Pass Hilly Orchard footbridge, Dudbridge Lock and Foundry Lock to arrive at Wallbridge and the end of the Stroudwater Canal. The old basin is now infilled and used as a depot for the Severn-Trent Water Authority but some original buildings remain.
Other stages
Thames & Severn Way 1
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