Thames & Severn Way 4
Route facts
Waterways:
Thames & Severn Canal »
Distance: 9 miles / 15 km
Duration: Three or four hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: Cotswold Water Park Visitor Centre, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Ends at: Inglesham, near Lechlade, Oxfordshire
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 Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal - the Thames & Severn Way.
The walk begins on the banks of the River Severn 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 final stretch of the walk, from the Cotswold Water Park to Inglesham, passes through remote countryside as it heads towards the River Thames. It passes Eisey Manor and the village of Kempsford before the last roundhouse which overlooks the junction with the river at Inglesham, near Lechlade.
Much of the towpath is a public footpath but for those sections which cross private farmland the Thames & Severn Way makes use of nearby footpaths or country lanes. An aim of the Cotswold Canals Trust is that one day all of the towpath will be accessible to the public.
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], [Thames_Severn_Way_2Wallbridge_to_Sapperton.html Stage 2], [Thames_Severn_Way_3Sapperton_to_Cotswold_Water_Park.html Stage 3], [Thames_Severn_Way_4Cotswold_Water_Park_to_Lechlade.html Stage 4]
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available at the Cotswold Water Park Visitor Centre, at the Riverside Car Park in Lechlade, and in Lechlade town centre.
Waypoints
1. Cotswold Water Park Visitor Centre
Leaving the Visitor Centre, the towpath borders the overgrown canal bed to Cerney Wick Lock, the nearby Crown Inn and another of the round houses. The lock has been restored by volunteers from the Cotswold Canals Trust. Crossing the lane to Cerney Wick the Thames and Severn Way continues to the site of Latton Basin.
2. Latton Basin
Sadly, little remains of this junction with the narrow gauge North Wilts Canal. The Thames & Severn Way now reverts to a public footpath crossing the lane and following the north bank of the River Churn. The shallow depression to the left is the canal. The canal depression vanishes and the footpath swings to the left across the field to the far corner and the A419. A crossing for the canal has been provided as part of the new Latton bypass. Follow the footpath towards Cricklade and on to the old road.
3. Cricklade Wharf
After one kilometre, you will come to the former Cricklade Wharfhouse. Turn left along the lane and cross the A419. Follow the road verge for 100 metres to the right and turn left, over two stiles to rejoin the dry channel and towpath of the Thames and Severn Canal. Follow the towpath for one kilometre on the low embankment to the Ampney Brook.
4. Ampney Brook
Cross the brook. The embankment over the brook and for the next 200 metres has vanished. The Thames and Severn Way follows the bank of the brook for a few metres and then proceeds along the unsurfaced track east towards Eisey Manor. The entrance drive to the manor is flanked by two canal mileposts, complete with distance plates removed when the canal was partly infilled. There is now very little of the remaining towpath which is a public right of way. A short there-and-back walk may be made continuing along the track for one kilometre to visit Eisey Lock and its remote lock keepers cottage. Returning to Eisey Manor, walk away from the manor across the infilled canal, where once there was a humpback bridge. After one kilometre the Kempsford Road is reached.
5. Kempsford Road
Turn right and follow the road for about two kilometres. 100 metres past the left hand turning to Marston Meysey turn right down the track which leads towards Marston Meysey round house. Just before the round house turn left over a stile onto a track skirts the boundary of the round house. The track turns sharp right onto the infilled canal bed. The infilling took place so long ago that there is now no visible trace of the canal. Climb over the stile and head east along the rough ground, which was the canal, between the field fences. Continue along the edge of the next field. At the field corner continue left for twenty or so metres to the entrance into the next field. The canal line continues ahead bearing to the left towards the distant hedge and the former Crooked Bridge. The Thames & Severn Way bears slightly to the right straight across the field to the drive leading to the Second Chance Caravan Park. Turn left along the drive to the lane.
6. Site of Crooked Bridge
Walk up the lane for 100 metres to its highest point. This is the site of Crooked Bridge which once crossed the canal at a sharp angle, hence the name. Continue along the lane to the Kempsford road and turn right. After one kilometre Oatlands Bridge can be spotted to the right down a short track. The bridge is in excellent condition although the canal, which was on a slight embankment, has been totally ploughed out of existence. There is a brick built into one of the parapets which has the words "Stonehouse Brick Company" cast into it. The bricks for this bridge and probably other buildings in the area were brought by boat all the way from Stonehouse. Continue on towards Kempsford and turn right, past the Anchor Inn, into the village. Continue through the village for almost one kilometre to the site of the canal crossing at Kempsford Bridge.
7. Site of Kempsford Bridge
Alas, the canal now only exists as a grassy strip and stables. Just before the crossing turn left along Ham Lane. The road turns into a gravel track leading to a junction of tracks and footpaths. Turn right keeping the gravel workings on the left. Where the track rises and the gravel workings end is the site of Green Lane Bridge. Continue on to join the Hannington Lane. The final section of the Thames & Severn Way has to follow the Thames Path, as there are no public footpaths following the route of the canal: the delights of the canal passing Brazen Church Hill and of Dudgrove Double Lock must remain a secret for the time being.
8. River Thames, Hannington Bridge
Follow the lane over the River Thames, and after 200 metres turn left along a metalled track. After 100 metres, just before the entrance to a house, follow the bridle path on the right. This track continues for 1.5 kilometres. Eventually a stream is crossed by a footbridge. After 100 metres follow the hedge line to the right to Upper Inglesham. There now follows an unpleasant two kilometres northwards along the fast and busy A361 towards Lechlade.
9. Inglesham Church
Turn left along the lane to Inglesham Church. The field on the right is the site of the medieval Inglesham village. Just before the houses climb the stile on the right and follow the backs of the gardens to the River Thames. Follow the river bank to the end of the Thames & Severn Canal and its confluence with the River Coln and the River Thames. The footbridge over the river is a good viewpoint for the end of the canal and its round house hidden amongst the reeds and weeping willows. Continue on along the river bank to Halfpenny Bridge and the end of the Thames & Severn Way. Lechlade is just a few hundred metres away along the River Thames.
Other stages
Thames & Severn Way 4
contact us
print page