Kennet and Avon Canal boating holiday from Bristol

[wessexwomen]

Hi All

I want to depart at Bristol, and go alone the canal, and back to Bristol. I'm choosing Bristol as the start point because I also want to head to Cornwall for a further couple of nights. Is there a boating company that leaves from Bristol? Or where would be my next best bet?

I wish to explore Swindon too, because I lived there many years ago. I know the K&A canal does not go to Swindon. Is it possible to visit Swindon from any point along the canal?

Many thanks

The Kennet & Avon canal is actually the River Avon between Bath and Bristol. If we get lots of rain the river flows very fast (so possibly there aren't too many/any firms hiring from Bristol).

Bath is about 15 minutes away from Bristol (Temple Meads) by train. The canal goes right through the city (so maybe moor up for a day and see Bristol as a day trip or at the start or end of the trip). Swindon is about 30 minutes away by train in the opposite direction (usually 2 trains an hour, but there are going to be MAJOR disruptions from mid-July until the end of August so you'll need a sense of humour if that is when you replacing to travel).

My schoolrun is along the canal in Bath (obviously I am biased, but it is a lovely stretch of canal). The two main hire firms I see are Anglo Welsh (Bathwick Marina is about 10 minutes' walk from Bath train station) and Sally Narrowboats in Bradford on Avon. Have a look at their websites to see what they think is achievable.

Hope this helps

Thanks very much - and the tip about the planned disruption is invaluable! I take it that's road works, rather than river works?!

The canal is fine unless we get another stag party that manages to sink their boat in a lock (which tends to close the whole thing for a week whilst people figure out how to float it again)! There aren't significant works planned this Spring/Summer.

I was actually referring to the trains (as I suggested that Bath was probably the easiest place from which to get to Swindon). I think Network Rail will try to stick with the timetable (because people will have made work plans/hotel bookings around it), but the train service is to be disrupted from 18 July - 31 August. Details here: www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/banes/

Not to be outdone by the trains, The Highways Agency have closed the A36 just outside Bath at Claverton until mid-June: www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a36-claverton-to-dundas-geotechnical-work/