Newbury to Devizes (5 nights) Friday 24 March 2023

Devizes Wharf

This five night cruise takes you on a relaxing and scenic journey from Newbury to Devizes Wharf.

We embark from the vibrant town of Newbury at the West Mills Wharf. Lined by whitewashed 17th century cottages and a tastefully converted grain silo this makes for a very pleasant mooring. As we leave we encounter a few locks on our way up to Hamstead where the canal is joined by the River Kennet.

On our way to our overnight spot at Kintbury, we’ll sail through some magnificent scenery. Kintbury was once the home of Charles Dundas, the first chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal Company. He opened this first stretch of the canal in 1797. We are fortunate to have a piece of history up and running here in the form of the horse draw barge run by the Kennet Horse Boat Company.

After a good breakfast we head for Hungerford where you will need your strength to visit the many antique shops. This town lies at the centre of the North Wessex Downs area. Leaving Hungerford cruising through the Freeman’s Marsh nature reserve, we also come to cross the county border out of Berkshire close to Froxfield. Heading for the Crofton flight we pass Great and Little Bedwyn.

The Crofton Pump pound is our next place of interest. Here we have a beautifully restored building housing two working beam engines. Restored and opened in August 1970. This all overlooks the Wilton Water Reservoir which provides water for the summit pound. The summit lies at 450ft.

Our decent begins with 6 locks as we cruise to the only tunnel on the Kennet and Avon, The Bruce Tunnel. Built between 1806 and 1809 and named after the first Earl of Ailesbury, the local land owner at the time. This feat of engineering took 2 million bricks to build and runs 502 yards under the Savernake Forest.

Peaceful and rural country side glide past as we reach Wootton Rivers. This area has many pillboxes as during World War II the canal was a line of defence against a possible enemy invasion.

The Vale of Pewsey will envelop us as we sail on to Honeystreet. The Alton Barnes White Horse will be visible on a nice clear day. Honeystreet has quite a history. The Barge Inn, important stables for the barge hoses from yesteryear. It also housed a bakery, butchery and brewery. It burnt down in 1858 but was of such importance that it was rebuilt in 6 months.

We bid Honeystreet farewell as we head for our last nights mooring at Devizes Wharf. We will pass All Cannings on the Long Pound. An early arrival in Devizes, an ancient Wiltshire market town, will allow passengers to visit the charming town of Devizes and have a local pint at the Wadworth Brewery.

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%.