Around Bradford-on-Avon

Discover the beautiful canalscape around this picturesque South Cotswold village.

Bradford-on-Avon railway station Walk away from the train station to the far left hand corner of the carpark, through the gap and down to the riverside path. Turn left here and under the railway bridge, follow the path ahead. On the right you will see the attractive pack horse bridge. In front is the historic tithe barn. Head towards the right hand side of the barn and in front of you is the steps up to the Kennet and Avon Canal.

At the canal, look around and take in the scene. A view of multi coloured narrow boats, wild fowl, a canal side pub to the left and at weekends a throng of people walking and cycling. Turn right along the towpath and you will be walking through the attractive Avon Valley: in 1.5 miles you will reach the village of Avoncliff.

Avoncliff To continue along the towpath you will need to cross the canal. Where the path bears right, turn right down hill. In front of you is the Cross Guns inn, one of the popular canalside pubs. Turn left under the canal and left again up the steps to rejoin the towpath. You now turn left again to cross the aqueduct, one of a number of aqueducts designed by James Rennie for the canal and built of locally quarried Bath stone.

Limpley Stoke In about two miles, on reaching the second canal bridge, leave the canal here: the road is the B3108. Turn right downhill to a river bridge and the bus stop at Lower Limpley Stoke. Buses back to Bradford on Avon run from the stop on the right. The bus numbers are X5 and X6: they run every 30 mins Monday to Saturday and every 2 hours on Sunday. Check bus times before traveling – call Traveline on 0870 608 2608.