The Kennet and Avon Canal

Stretching across southern England, the Kennet and Avon Canal offers walkers 152km (94 miles) of scenic towpaths linking the historic towns of Reading and Bristol through gentle river valleys, chalk hills and rolling countryside. This iconic route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and Bristol’s vibrant Floating Harbour, offering walkers a unique blend of industrial heritage, waterways, nature, historic towns and rural landscapes.

The Kennet and Avon Canal from Cicerone is a comprehensive two-part walking guide to this classic route, combining the full canal path with a selection of shorter day walks that explore the best sections and surroundings. Whether you’re planning to walk the canal end-to-end or enjoy a series of rewarding excursions, this guide provides clear directions, practical insight and inspirational highlights for every stage and outing.

• Complete coverage of the 152km (94-mile) canal path from Reading to Bristol, described in seven manageable stages with step-by-step guidance for navigation along towpaths, locks, aqueducts and canal towns — ideal for long-distance walkers on a week-long break
• Twenty circular day walks ranging from approximately 7 to 15km (4¼–9miles) that take in the canal’s most scenic and historic sections, perfect for half-day excursions and exploring nearby villages and countryside
• 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, downloadable GPX files and detailed route descriptions are included for every walk and canal stage, helping you walk with confidence whether you’re tackling the full route or a shorter outing
• Easy access points to the walks from towns and cities such as Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol, making planning logistics, accommodation, and transport simple
• Highlights of the route include Crofton Pumping Station, the remarkable Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the ornate aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas, and the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and Cotswolds National Landscape

From tranquil towpaths winding through riverside meadows to the engineering marvels of lock flights and aqueducts, the Kennet and Avon Canal invites walkers to immerse themselves in southern England’s scenery and heritage. With this guidebook, you can explore the canal at your own pace, enjoying hidden corners, historic towns, and the ever-changing landscapes along this classic inland waterway.