Bradford-on-Avon to Bath (3 nights) Wednesday 05 April 2023

Pulteney Bridge and Weir

This three night short break cruise begins at Bradford on Avon, a charming historic Cotswold town boasting a magnificent 14th Century Tithe Barn alongside the canal and well worth exploring before joining the boat for your cruise.

We depart Bradford on Avon Wharf and pass through Bradford lock (the second deepest on the Kennet and Avon at 10ft 3in) heading for our first port of call – Avoncliff, a small hamlet at the Eastern end of John Rennie’s magnificent Avoncliff aqueduct which spans the River Avon. Guests will have the opportunity to view the splendid triple arched structure from below before we cruise across and follow the canal along the scenic Limpley Stoke Valley.

At the Western end of the valley, we encounter another of Rennie’s masterpieces, the Dundas Aqueduct. Named in honour of the first Chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal Company Sir Charles Dundas, the aqueduct is a scheduled ancient monument and carries the canal across the River Avon again to Dundas Wharf and the delightfully named ‘Brassknocker Basin’.

Beyond Dundas lies the 200 year old Claverton pumping station, home to a wooden water wheel once used to drive pumps lifting much needed water 48ft from the river into the canal. The wheel and pumps have been successfully restored in recent years and the station holds regular open days so a visit may be possible.

From Claverton the navigation winds through spectacular countryside to the picturesque village of Bathampton. The parish church of St Nicholas here is the final resting place of Captain Arthur Phillip, the founder of the first British penal colony in Australia and first governor of New South Wales.

From here a gentle and scenic stretch of canal takes us into the grand city of Bath with its elegant architecture echoed along the canal in numerous ornate bridges and buildings. This cruise includes a trip down through the city’s locks including Bath Deep Lock, the second deepest lock in the country at 19ft 5in and an impressive sight from on or off the boat! At the bottom lock the canal joins the River Avon and (river conditions permitting) we plan to take a short cruise upstream to view the famous Pulteney horseshoe weir and bridge before returning to the canal and the end of our cruise. The City of Bath, designated a World Heritage site, offers a plethora of stunning architecture and interesting attractions to explore and guests will have time to visit if they wish before spending the final night on board.

To book please select the required number of cabins below. Our three cabins are identical and can all be configured as either twin or double bedded rooms according to your preference.

Please refer to our terms and conditions before booking. If you have any questions or specific requirements please contact us.

*Price based on 2 people sharing a twin/double cabin. Cabins booked for 1 person incur a single occupancy supplement of 50%.