Wilts & Berks Canal
Wilts & Berks Canal
4.5
About
The Wilts & Berks Canal is an historic waterway that runs for over 50 miles from the Thames at Abingdon to link to the Kennet and Avon canal close to Melksham. The canal is being carefully restored by enthusiastic volunteers to bring benefit to local communities and wildlife.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
56 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
15
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
1
john r
Swindon, UK8 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
This is my second review of the wilts and Berks canal. My first was deleted. so I will say again, The section canal at the base of kings hill was once my preferred walking route. It was quiet and teeming with wildlife, you were literally tripping over the wildlife.... the water was crystal clear to the bottom. You could watch large 20plus carp, sunning themselves in the shallows, Pond skaters on the water, Dragonflies flutter over the water and bats at dusk. There were water voles, lots of ducks, coots, cormorants, herons, more-hens and best of all the odd streak of blue from a king fisher in flight. Today its still quiet, the water is murky green and most of the above are long gone, although one Dragonfly still remains, So feel free, come have a chug up the canal, feed the seagulls and the one swan we have left but don’t let your dog swim in the water.
Written September 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raggamuffin8
Wilts93 contributions
May 2015 • Family
The beginning of the canal at the bottom of Kingshill is filled with rubbish and I'm afraid most of the canal is stagnant. I feel sorry for the few ducks left there. The clever ones have relocated.
The Waitrose end has been restored to some extent but it's not a pleasant walk to be fair. There is a huge amount of litter,mostly empty cans and bottles strewn in and out of the water and at times I have felt unsafe walking down there.
A good short cut to Waitrose or Wichelstow but a pleasant walk. No!
The Waitrose end has been restored to some extent but it's not a pleasant walk to be fair. There is a huge amount of litter,mostly empty cans and bottles strewn in and out of the water and at times I have felt unsafe walking down there.
A good short cut to Waitrose or Wichelstow but a pleasant walk. No!
Written May 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robgeorge1
swindon4 contributions
Aug 2014
Our house backs onto the Canal In swindon so lucky to have it & pleased work is being carried out to improve & extend it!!!!!
Just knocked through.....bricked an archway!!!! I purchased a boat which we use regularly along the Canal. ;-)
Just knocked through.....bricked an archway!!!! I purchased a boat which we use regularly along the Canal. ;-)
Written August 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
923Dan
Swindon, UK3,008 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
Walking along the canal path near Waitrose, i was stunned to find the canal completely drained due to canal works. It really shows the human effort that must have gone into building the canal in the 1880's when they were built by hand powered tools!
Very impressive - can't wait to go back when its re-flooded with water!
Very impressive - can't wait to go back when its re-flooded with water!
Written July 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
costleycomfort
Oxford, UK12 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Went on this boat trip recently because my Mother is a wheelchair user but so wanted to go on a boat. From my first enquiries it was clear that they were able and very happy to accommodate a wheelchair user so I booked it up immediately. The crew and helpers couldn't have been more friendly, and so incredibly pleasant. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone, but particularly to anyone who is in wheelchair because I don't know of anywhere else where you can get on a boat with a wheelchair. The trip lasts about an hour and is most relaxing. Refreshments are offered on board too. Do book in advance to avoid disappointment because this is a very popular attraction. Would recommend wheelchair users to take a bolster cushion of some kind as otherwise you may sit slightly lower than ideal for viewing.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StelucLive
Swindon, UK529 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
A delightful walk can be had from Kingshill to Wichelstow along this beautifully restored canal (also links well with the old railway path for a good circular route). Over the last year we've watched the progress of a family of swans and cygnets, seen countless ducklings, water voles, heron and even a kingfisher and a grass snake swimming along the edge! This belt of vegetation and waterway in the town centre is a real hidden gem and should be supported as much as possible. Take a trip on the Dragonfly at weekends or use the waterway for canoeing or simply stroll along and enjoy the tranquility. Support the restoration by joining the trust too!
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline Spencer
Canterbury, UK12 contributions
Oct 2019
We went on a splendid Saturday afternoon boat trip to celebrate a very special birthday. Our crew were wonderfully friendly, enthusiastic and informative; the canal looked so pretty with the autumn colours and bridges refelcted in the still water; we saw swans, lots of lucks, moorhens and a heron really close by. And despite a dreadful forecast, the rain held off. We all loved it! Thank you! And before the trip, we had a good lunch in the Hall and Woodhouse pub opposite.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OLDBOY
Swindon, UK1,040 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
The canal is now with water in it and a bridge across to the new public house. (Hall and Woodhouse brewery ). There are plans to build houses along the canal in the near future. Nice place to visit to walk along the canal .
Written May 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
European-Bookworm
Swindon, UK561 contributions
May 2018 • Family
It’s a lovely walk along the canal, definitely great for nature lovers! Plenty of birds and mammals to keep an eye out for and some beautiful photo opportunities.
The canal is currently dredged at the Waitrose at Witchelstowe so just be aware of that when planning any walks or boat rides, as it will have an impact.
The canal is currently dredged at the Waitrose at Witchelstowe so just be aware of that when planning any walks or boat rides, as it will have an impact.
Written May 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alison b
Farnham, UK7 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
I would just like to make people aware that we went here last week expecting to see this newly re-vamped canal/walk. We found Waitrose but the canal had barriers around it and there was so much work being done the other side of the bridge sadly there was nothing nice about the area. I think some people might have been a bit premature posting great reviews? I'm sure when all the work is done it will be lovely but at the moment dob't expect to see anything other than Diggers, Workmen, Murky water and Barriers?!!!
Written February 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are we still allowed to fish on the canal or is it all left.
If so how do u arange it
Written April 9, 2022
Can I take my canoe on the canal stretch do I need a licence and if so what agency. Cheers all
Written September 28, 2020
A Tripadvisor member
I am considereing a group of our Caledonian Society coming for an afternoon trip and cream Tea - we will supply the ream tea - what would be the cost per head for a party of say 15 people - all adults - I recall we could arrange an afternoon hire which would involve going up and down the canal twice. I am hoping to put your advice on tis query before my Committee tomorrow evening. Sorry for the short notie.
Regards,
Rod Barclay
President Swindon and District Caledonian Society
Written May 23, 2016
Is there any fish left in this canal? i heard that the canal club have been electrifying the fish, catching them and selling them off to raise funds is this right?... what does that do to the eco-system? the fish aren't property of the canal club are they? fancy netting the sparrows that visit my garden for a quick buck? apparently they "relocated" the water voles and set up Newt walls as well. lets all mess with nature!
Written May 16, 2015
There are Fish (Perch..Roach..) , Ducks , Moorhens,Herons etc etc in/ on this strech of Canal.
It's a Canal......boats should be on it & using it, this adds to the attraction & keeps things moving on it so the water dosent become so stagnant.
Written July 26, 2016
I am thrilled to be re-connecting with my Swindonian roots, this summer. My husband and I want to spend a few days around swindon and Wiltshire, where I lived for 26 years. He doesn't know it at all, and I want to 'show off ' all wiltshires lovely Englishness.
I want to hire a boat for a few days and explore via the canal.
I would really appreciate advice on where to begin, moore up, explore, end up, etc. we are novices on rivers although hubby has a small boat for the sea.
Then it's off to explore Cornwall. So my next lot of questions is What's the closest stretch of water we can sail to towards the west of England? Can it be done on the river from Wiltshire?
Thank you so much.
Regards, bobbie
Written March 11, 2015
Unfortunately Bobbie, the swindon wilts and berks stretch of the canal is unconnected, the part that's left is not very big at the moment and isn't very lovely :( Unfortunately the canal is also not suitable to stay on for a few days... If you walk from kings hill you can make it down to the end at waitrose for cream tea and possibly a boat ride in about 20-30 mins. If you want a boating holiday i suggest lechlade.
Written July 16, 2016
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